2013 winners

Excellence in Teaching

Winner

Dr Ali Hellany, Academic Course Advisor, Honours Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics.

Dr Hellany has demonstrated excellence in his teaching practice which is marked by creativity. He designed the UWS Solar Car Project which he developed as an open platform/space for students to learn and engage. His students have developed individual and collective knowledge that will help solve real life challenges involving engineering, industrial design and management. The Solar Car Project links more than 12 units within the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics in an integrated fashion, providing a unique teaching program that is 'hands on' in preparing industry ready graduates. Dr Hellany's exemplary efforts have greatly enhanced the educational experience and learning outcomes of his students.

Excellence in Professional Service

Winner - Individual

Mr Burhan Amiji, Senior Technical Officer, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Mr Amiji has worked at UWS for over 25 years. He has an outstanding set of technical, interpersonal and management skills as well as a commitment to excellence that has enabled him to contribute to research and research training at UWS well beyond that required of his position. Mr Amiji is a dedicated professional who exemplifies the very best of the University of Western Sydney.

Winner - Team

Records and Archives Management Services

Mr Michael Smith, Manager, Records and Archives Management Services
Ms Cathie Lester, University Archivist, Records and Archives Management Services
Mrs Sharon Flynn, Senior Records Officer, Records and Archives Management Services
Mr Barry Flanagan, TRIM Context Administrator, Records and Archives Management Services
Mrs Danielle Lamaro, Records Officer, Records and Archives Management Services
Mr Derek Temple, Records Officer, Records and Archives Management Services
Miss Emelia Sutton, Archives Assistant, Records and Archives Management Services
Mr John Watson, Records Officer, Records and Archives Management Services
Mr Shannon Fuller, Records Officer, Records and Archives Management Services

Records and Archive Management Services (RAMS) has been the leader in records and archives management in the university sector in Australia for quite some time. They have been at the forefront of the use of TRIM and the implementation of the automated filing of student emails has been an outstanding success. RAMS is a cohesive unit that is dedicated to ensuring record-keeping at UWS continues at the highest possible standard.

Highly Commended - Individual

Mr Stephen Butcher, Senior Manager, Information and Analysis, Office of Engagement, Strategy and Quality  
Ms Fiona Smith, School Administration Officer, Governance and Committees, School of Business

Highly Commended - Team

Mental Health First Aid Team

Ms Catherine Fitzgerald, Counsellor, Counselling Services, Student Support Services
Mr Mark Kearns, Counsellor, Counselling Services, Student Support Services
Mrs Jennylee Green, Mental Health Administrative Officer, Student Support Services

Excellence in Postgraduate Research, Training and Supervision

Winner  

Professor Janice Aldrich-Wright, Professor in Chemistry, Medical Science, School of Science and Health

Professor Aldrich-Wright's commitment to excellence in training and mentoring of higher degree research candidates has been demonstrated over an extended period. She is a passionate and extremely proficient supervisor, who passes on her passion for science to her students. Professor Aldrich- Wright leads a highly regarded and productive research group that provides a rich environment for research students.

Professor Aldrich-Wright ensures her research students  all have a publication record on graduation. This and her strong links beyond UWS have considerably assisted them to secure positions in industry and in academia (nationally and internationally). Her supervision commitment goes well beyond ensuring a thesis will pass examination. In summary, Professor Aldrich-Wright has been an excellent role model over many years and is a worthy recipient of the award.

Highly Commended

Associate Professor Robert Spooner-Hart, Associate Professor, School of Science and Health

Excellence in University Engagement

Winner - Staff Individual

Associate Professor Diana Whitton, Associate Professor, Academic Programs, School of Education

Associate Professor Whitton has been with UWS for over 25 years, providing thousands of students with meaningful and mutually beneficial experiences through the Primary Professional Experience program. She is credited with introducing the UWS grant scheme for students to travel overseas to undertake service learning. In the three years since its implementation over 50 students have been awarded grants to work for up to 10 weeks in third world countries – providing a rich and rewarding experience for these Primary Education students. Associate Professor Whitton is also passionate about engaging her students with the community through Duke of Edinburgh and Enactus Worldwide – which is a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. Associate Professor Whitton has also been a member of the Board of Engagement Australia for the past five years and has chaired their scholarship committee.

Winner - Student Individual

Mr Leon Allen, Student, Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching Secondary)

Leon has demonstrated excellence in community engagement through his active citizenry in the Anglicare Nepean Young Carers program which he became involved with through his unit 'Experiential Learning

in Communities'. He has organised a weekend camp for carers and undertaken fund raising to support the camp. Leon is a strong advocate for the program, encouraging his fellow students to participate and spreading the program message to the community through social media and radio programs.

Winner - Staff Team

UWS Penrith Observatory Staff Team

Associate Professor Miroslav Filipovic, Academic Course Advisor, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics

Mr Ain De Horta, Associate Lecturer, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
Dr Nick Tothill, Lecturer, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
Mr Evan Crawford, Associate Lecturer, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
Mrs Raelene Sommer, UWS Observatory, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
Mrs Roslyn McCourt, School Administrative Officer, UWS Observatory, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
Mr David Giles, UWS Observatory, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics

Winner - Student Team

UWS Penrith Observatory Student Team

Mr Andrew O'Brien, PhD Student – Quantitative Methods
Mr Jordan Collier, PhD Student – Computing and Information Technology
Mr Graeme Wong, PhD Student – Computing and Information Technology
Mr Luke Bozzetto, PhD Student – Computing and Information Technology
Mr Kevin Grieve, Student, Bachelor of Computer Sciences (Honours)
Mr Tim Galvin, PhD Student – Quantitative Methods

This team of students have partnered with staff to revamp the UWS Penrith Observatory and deliver a suite of programs to school children and community. The programs have been extremely well received and the Observatory is now providing a valuable and meaningful experience to its visitors. The students are all volunteers to this project driven by their passion and commitment to astronomy and science. Their enthusiasm has been greatly appreciated by the many visitors to the Observatory over the past 18 months. Their dedication and their achievements have been impressive, especially given they are all volunteers.

Highly Commended - Staff Individual

Trish Mullins, Director, Office of Higher Education Policy and Projects

Highly Commended - Staff Team

UWS Small Business Connect

Mr Don Wright, Program Integration Manager – Small Biz Connect, School of Business
Ms Veronica De Paoli, Senior Business Advisor – Small Biz Connect, School of Business
Ms Inu Rana, Senior Business Advisor – Small Biz Connect, School of Business
Ms Sokdet Pao, Business Advisory Support Coordinator – Small Biz Connect, School of Business
Ms Sandy Greenwood, Business Advisor – Small Biz Connect, School of Business

Highly Commended - Student Team

UWS Health Fusion Team

Miss Elham Zolfaghari, Student, Bachelor of Psychology
Mr Alan Dyason, Student, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
Miss Heidi Jennings, Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)/ Master of Podiatric Medicine
Mr Nirav Patel, Bachelor of Nursing – Graduate Entry
Miss Kate Thomson, Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Miss Mauli Trivedi, Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy

Excellence in University Sustainability

Winner - Student Individual

Mr Michael Chew, Student, Master of Education (Social Ecology)

Michael's Dean commends him as a dedicated student, combining activism and scholarship of a high order. He is inspirational to his peers and teachers in championing sustainability initiatives. Since enrolling in the Master  of Education Social Ecology program in 2010, Michael's dedication and enthusiasm have inspired both staff and

students, helping to expand awareness and build capacities for inquiry and action on sustainability issues. Michael is an excellent collaborator and facilitator which is shown not only in his work within the student community in Social Ecology but in the sustainability initiatives he

has undertaken as a student and volunteer within the Asian region. Members of the selection panel were very impressed with Michael's demonstrated contributions to ecological sustainability through his project work in India, Bangladesh and at home in Australia.

Winner - Staff Team

Unisafe – UWS Campus Safety and Security Bike Program
 
Mr Adam Byrne, Director, Campus Safety and Security
Mr Glenn Cooper, Security Operations Manager – West, Campus Safety and Security
Mr Brett Gibson, Security Operations Manager – East, Campus Safety and Security
Ms Nicole Berta, Security Coordinator, Campus Safety and Security

The Unisafe program allows Campus Safety and Security Staff to engage with the University community in a way that is highly visible, allowing them to focus on safety and security capacity building while delivering a service that is environmentally friendly and representative of a healthy alternative to traditional deployment strategies.

Campus Safety and Security staff on bicycles possess flexibility in their response to emergency situations in a much timelier manner and also maintain a high level of visibility and accessibility. The program has reduced the number of security vehicles required on campus which not only contributes to overall cost savings but also greatly reduces CO² emissions, 84,000 tonnes per year for each vehicle.

Winner - Student Team

Alive! Youth Conference – Film Students

Miss Yesim Kusdogan, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Miss Kylie Bewley, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Miss Miranda Brownlee, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Miss Erin Hayburn, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Miss Ruth Jabbour, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Mr James Khouri, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Mr Alan Lee, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Mr James Madry, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Mr Jon Manez, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Mr Adrian Mariani, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Miss Kaitlin Peek, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Miss Samantha Slatina, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Mr Timothy Talam, Student, Bachelor of Communication
Miss Fonseena Tran, Student, Bachelor of Communication

The Alive! Youth Environmental Engagement Project has been successful in engaging thousands of young people and their communities in the Hawkesbury/Nepean region of Sydney in a range of environmental issues in a variety of ways including planning, implementing, communicating, and reporting on their environmental projects.

Excellence in Leadership

Winner

Mrs Jenni Haines, School Administrative Coordinator, School of Science and Health

Mrs Haines leads the Executive Support team for one of the largest Schools at the University. She brings a high level of professionalism to the role with a strong focus on 'client' service, ensuring that all matters within her portfolio are carried out to the highest standard. Mrs Haines has raised the standard of professionalism in all interactions her

team have with students, University staff and the external community. She has empowered and supported her team in redefining and establishing clear School guidelines and has led the team through a transformational change process.

Mrs Haines exemplifies excellent leadership skills: listening, learning and linking business objectives with her team capabilities.

UWSCollege Award for Excellence

Winner - Individual

Mr Glenn Ferguson, Facilities Manager, Finance and Infrastructure, UWSCollege Pty Ltd

Mr Ferguson is a dedicated and committed staff member of UWSCollege. In everything he does he demonstrates great enthusiasm and a desire to achieve excellence. He constantly thinks beyond his role to ensure he delivers high quality outcomes. An example of this is his commitment  to working with Capital Works & Facilities in delivering additional classrooms with very short notice to commence 2013 teaching. Mr Ferguson worked around the clock with tradesmen on campus up to 22 hours a day. He focuses on providing a superior student experience and is committed to continuous improvement.

Highly Commended - Team

The Teaching and Learning First Year Experience Coordinators

Ms Anca Stanculescu, First Year Coordinator, Social Science, Policing, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Dr Sofia Eriksson, First Year Coordinator, Arts and Social Science, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Mr Pascal Frouin, First Year Coordinator, Foundations, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Mr Owen Lowe, First Year Coordinator, Arts. Social Science and Foundations, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Ms Katherine Pawlyk, First year Coordinator, Business, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Ms Claire Ratcliffe, First Year Coordinator, Science, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Dr Mona Shrestha, First Year Coordinator, Arts and Social Science, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Mr Ryan Sidoti, First Year Experience Coordinator, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Mr Paul Dent, Teacher, Academic Pathways, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Dr Buddhima De Silva, First Year Advisor ICT, Acting, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Mr Praza D'Zouza, Teacher, Academic Programs, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Mr Bill Goldfinch, Coordinator, First Year, Westmead, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Mr Tanvir Ishaq, Coordinator, Program Delivery, Nirimba Campus, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Ms Diana Maslic, Coordinator, First Year Engineering and Construction, UWSCollege Pty Ltd
Ms Amanda Oppliger, Head of Program, Foundation Studies, UWSCollege Pty Ltd

UWS Learning and Teaching Awards

Excellence in Teaching

Winner - Individual

Dr Thomas Astell-Burt, Lecturer, Public Health and Health promotion, School of Health and Science

Dr Astell-Burt commenced at UWS in 2012 and has demonstrated skills that indicate he is an exceptional teacher evidenced by outstanding SFT and SFU ratings. Dr Astell-Burt ensures that he teaches in an applied way and in  a manner that reflects current research in his discipline. Dr Astell-Burt has enthusiastically and effectively embraced blended learning and student-centred approaches in developing and delivering units of study which have resulted in a high level of student engagement.

Dr Ali Hellany, Academic Course Advisor, Honours Engineering, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics

Dr Hellany has demonstrated excellence in his teaching practice which is marked by creativity. He designed the UWS Solar Car Project which he developed as an open platform/space for students to learn and engage. His students have developed individual and collective knowledge that will help solve real life challenges involving engineering, industrial design and management. The Solar Car Project links more than 12 units within the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics in an integrated fashion, providing a unique teaching program that is 'hands on' in preparing industry ready graduates. Dr Hellany's exemplary efforts have greatly enhanced the educational experience and learning outcomes of his students.

Dr Jorge Knijnik, Senior Lecturer, PDHPE, School of Education

Dr Knijnik is an exceptional educator in the field of Personal Development Health and Physical Education, (PDHPE) for pre-service teachers. he employs a range of student-centred pedagogies to inspire, motivate and engage his students in their learning of PDHPE and how these pedagogies relate to the teaching of PDHPE in the primary school setting. The distinctive leadership Dr Knijnik provides in the Primary program and units is emphasised by his welcoming of his colleagues to sessions he teaches and inviting participation in a reflective community of best practice learning and teaching. 

Dr Joanne Lind, Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biology and Genetics,School of Medicine

Dr Lind teaches in the field of medical genetics, training future doctors to integrate the sciences with clinical reasoning. By linking science to real life using the latest teaching technologies Dr Lind is able to influence how medical students approach patient diagnosis; teaching them to think from first principles. Dr Lind's consistent, positive impact on student learning is reflected in her exemplary SFT and SFU data and the excellence demonstrated in her teaching has been widely recognised within the higher education sector and her professional field.

Winner - Team

Enhancing Participation in the Public Relations major: Producing Strong Graduate Outcomes

Dr Gwyneth Howell, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
Ms Nicole Bridges, Associate lecturer, Public Relations and Advertising, School of Humanities and Communication Arts

Dr Howell and Ms Bridges have worked to create a superior and engaged learning experience in the Public Relations Major through enabling students to study in their own time, supported by ICT-enabled learning resources, and by creating a first year experience that has optimised retention and success. They have embedded engaged learning in the major, and have ensured that students achieve the highest possible academic standards.

Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

Dr Walid Bakry, Lecturer in finance, School of Business

For authentic, enthusiastic and distinctive teaching approaches that engage, stimulate, motivate and advance student's learning skills towards optimal development and achievement in postgraduate finance studies.

Ms Nicole Bridges, Associate Lecturer, Public Relations and Advertising, School of Humanities and Communication Arts

For advancing first year Public Relations through early adoption of blended learning and pedagogies that engage first year students and enhance their learning experiences

Dr Martin Daly, Associate Lecturer, Academic Innovation Unit, School of Social Sciences and Psychology

For the development of optimal delivery and assessment methods for maximising student motivation, engagement and learning through innovative online lectures. 

Dr Tonia Gray, Associate Professor, School of Education

For a teaching philosophy that seeks to create a supportive, safe and stimulating environment in which students acquire problem-solving skills through authentic experiences-based learning opportunities.

Ms Jacki Krahmalov, Lecturer, Advertising, School of Humanities and Communication Arts

For actively fostering academic engagement, personal growth and industry opportunity, significantly enhancing student's career prospects in an extremely competitive environment.

Associate Professor Deirdre Russell-Bowie, Associate Professor, School of Education

For outstanding contributions to student learning by changing attitudes, motiving and inspiring students and developing competent and confident primary school teachers in arts education

Dr Laura Surmon, Lecturer in Foundations of Medicine, School of Medicine

For a highly enthusiastic, positive, encouraging and relate-able tutoring approach that motivates and inspires medical students to get maximum benefit from problem-based learning tutorials.

Academic Literacy Week Program and Academic Literacy Support iPad app Team

Mr Roman Goik, Lecturer, Design, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
Ms Barbara Alysen, Senior Lecturer, Communications, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
Dr Milissa Deitz, Lecturer, Communication, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
Dr Alison Gill, Lecturer, Design Theory, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
Ms Myra Gurney, Lecturer, Communication, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
Dr Rachel Morley, Lecturer, Communication, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
Mr Peter Steele, Blended learning Designer, School of Humanities and Communication Arts
Ms Kaysha Russell, Humanities and Communication Arts Librarian, Ward Library

For the development of an effective and innovative academic literacy support program and academic literacy support iPad app for first year students transitioning to university