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University teachers recognised nationally
12 August 2006
The nationally judged quality of the University’s teachers was recognised this week when Dr Gary Crew and Dr Maria Raciti gained awards from the Carrick Institute. They were presented with their awards in a ceremony in Brisbane, attended by the University’s senior academic leaders.
The ‘Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education’ is a federally funded body, formed in late 2004, charged with the mission of promoting and advancing learning and teaching in Australian higher education.
Drs Crew and Raciti each received a Carrick citation for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning’. Federal Minister, the Hon Julie Bishop said, “These citations acknowledge and celebrate the vital contribution made by individuals and teams to the quality of student learning, from undergraduate teaching to research supervision.”
Dr Raciti’s citation is for creating a successful learning environment for business students of all abilities. As a lecturer in the Faculty of Business she coordinates the first year course ‘Marketing Theory and Practice’, and the advanced level course, ‘Services Marketing’. Both her research and her teaching have a focus on the importance of relationship-building to achieve better educational results. She has received outstanding student feedback which further informs her teaching.
Dr Crew’s citation is for his leadership in creating and developing professionally productive ‘Creative Writing’. Dr Crew has a string of awards, and like Dr Raciti has also been a University medal recipient. One of the particularly compelling aspects of Dr Crew’s work, reflected in his application, is his experience and knowledge of publishing to assist USC students to become published authors themselves.
Each winner received $10,000 from the Carrick Institute.
These staff set an inspiring example for other academic staff to seek national recognition in teaching, research or engagement activities, all of which are vital to this University’s future, and all of which are becoming the subject of greater competition.
Professor Paul Thomas is Vice-Chancellor of University of the Sunshine Coast