The high standard of teaching at The University of Western Australia has been recognised in the 2010 Australian Awards for University Teaching.

The UWA winner for individual Awards for Teaching Excellence in Social Sciences is Assistant Professor Mark Pegrum from the Graduate School of Education.  Assistant Professor Pegrum's key research areas are e-learning; electronic language; and cultural artefacts, such as film and music, in education.

The UWA winner for Programs that Enhance Learning is the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health's Professional Practice Program, offered in the third year of study of a Bachelor of Science, Exercise and Health.  The unit aims to enable the integration of theoretical concepts with professional practice and develop the skills and competencies necessary for gaining employment.

The Australian Awards for University Teaching, run by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, recognise the nation's top university teachers and most outstanding programs and services aimed at improving the quality of student learning.

The annual awards ceremony, which will be held in Canberra, is a celebration of the outstanding efforts and achievements of higher education teachers from institutions around the country and will be presented by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon Chris Evans.

UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, congratulated the winners and recognised the outstanding contributions of all staff nominated for the 2010 Awards.

"The list of nominees and their achievements is a tribute to the excellent standard of teaching at The University of Western Australia," he said.

"The recognition of these winners constitutes a significant individual achievement, and is also a very satisfying reflection of the University's ongoing commitment to teaching and learning."

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716