Good work never goes unnoticed. This was emphasised during the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Institutional Teaching Excellence Awards ceremony (ITEA) which took place on 20 April in Potchefstroom.
The annual event gives recognition to the best lecturers of the NWU. This year top honours went to a lecturer of the Potchefstroom Campus. Prof Alfred Henrico of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences was the winner in the Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award (DTEA) category.
“I feel honoured and grateful towards the NWU for this award. The university’s ITEA system is excellent. It is not only aimed at rewarding excellence in teaching, but also help to develop the teaching skills of lecturers. ”Alfred says he owes thanks to every colleague and student from whom he could learn. “They helped me to develop – without them this would not have been possible.” He considers the DTEA award as a reward for his hard work, his focus to make a positive difference in students’ lives and his contribution to their development as the future in South Africa.
Awards were presented in three categories, namely the Emerging Teaching Excellence Award (ETEA), the Teaching Excellence Award (TEA) and the Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award (DTEA).
Forty-eight academics received awards. The NWU faculty that produced the most winners is the Faculty of Humanities on the Vanderbijlpark Campus with eight winners, followed by Potchefstroom Campus’ faculties of Arts and Health Sciences in joint second place with six winners each. The Faculty of Theology on the Potchefstroom Campus was in third place with five awards.
The awards are made to show appreciation to lecturers for their commitment and dedication to student success and also encourage academics to develop in the field of teaching and learning.
This is the third year that the awards have been given in these categories. The ETEA rewards emerging lecturers for excellent teaching. It recognises lecturers who display a long-term vision for their professional and career development by means of exceptional and proven achievement towards innovation in teaching and learning in their field.
The TEA is awarded to lecturers who have exceptional and proven achievements in teaching excellence. They use innovative approaches to facilitate learning that inspires and challenges students.
The DTEA commends distinguished scholars for leadership and achievement in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Excellence is endorsed by awarding the DTEA as a commendation within the category of TEA.
Participants in the awards must comply with at least 80% of the criteria in the individual categories. They must submit a reflective portfolio as evidence of their teaching and learning activities. There is also observation of at least two learning opportunities, of which one is unannounced.
TEA Award participants are also expected to make presentations at an annual campus or faculty colloquium on teaching and learning.
Their reflective portfolios are moderated by teams or panels that consist of representatives of Institutional Academic Development Support (ADS) and ADS teaching advisors from the three NWU campuses.
The reflective portfolio of DTEA winners are moderated internally and externally.
Prof Dan Kgwadi, vice-chancellor, says the NWU is very proud of the quality of its academics. “You are the reason that we can assure students of the best quality lecturers.”
The guest speaker at the event, Dr Diane Parker, deputy-director general for university education of the Department of Higher Education and Training, commended the NWU’s academics for the excellent work they do to promote learning. “Your commitment to excellence and innovation and the passion you demonstrate in teaching and learning will definitely contribute to the success of your students and serves as an inspiration to all of us,” she said.
And the winners are…
Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award
Prof Alfred Henrico, Economic and Management Sciences
Teaching Excellence Awards
Dr Michelle Barnard, Law
Dr Alwiena Blignaut, Health Sciences
Ms Pia Bombardella, Arts
Prof Marianne Dircksen, Theology
Dr Tiny du Toit, Natural Sciences
Prof Jaco Fouché, Economic Sciences and Information Technology
Mr Nico Fourie, Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Alfred Henrico, Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Pierre Jordaan, Theology
Dr Johanita Kirsten, Humanities
Dr Elbé Kloppers, Arts
Dr Herculene Kotzé, Arts
Dr Ruan Kruger, Health Sciences
Dr At Lamprecht, Theology
Prof Marco Le Roux, Engineering
Dr Hein Lubbe, Law
Dr Gisele Mah, Commerce and Administration
Dr Munyaradzi Manjoro, Agriculture, Science and Technology
Dr Leon Moolman, Humanities
Ms Kedumetse Motlhankane, Arts
Prof Wedzerai Musvoto, Commerce and Administration
Dr Ilyayambwa Mwanawina, Humanities
Prof Mulunda Mwanza, Agriculture, Science and Technology
Ms Adéle Naudé, Health Sciences
Ms Lemar Olivier, Commerce and Administration
Ms Charté Pretorius, Arts
Prof Riaan Rheeder, Theology
Ms Tasleem Sayed, Health Sciences
Ms Jeanette Sebaeng, Agriculture, Science and Technology
Ms Karlien Smit, Health Sciences
Dr Sufran Smith, Health Sciences
Ms Rolé van der Merwe, Economic and Management Sciences
Mr Christo van der Merwe, Engineering
Dr Karen van der Merwe, Humanities
Prof Hans van Deventer, Humanities
Dr Louis van Staden, Economic and Management Sciences
Emerging Teaching Excellence Awards
Ms Rochelle Botha, Humanities
Dr Steven Dunga, Economic Sciences and Information Technology
Dr Fazel Freeks, Theology
Dr André Grobler, Engineering
Dr Phemelo Marumo, Human and Social Sciences
Dr Nyambeni Matamela, Human and Social Sciences
Ms Chilombo Mbenga, Human and Social Sciences
Ms Anneke Moolman, Economic Sciences and Information Technology
Mr Kolentino Mpeta, Commerce and Administration
Dr Velaphi Nhlapo, Humanities
Ms Antoinette Olivier, Arts
Dr Ella Wehrmeyer, Humanities
Prof Alfred Henrico from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences is the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award, with him is Dr Diane Parker, deputy director-general for university education of the Department of Higher Education and Training and Prof Dan Kgwadi, vice-chancellor of the NWU.
