NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Awards (ATEA) 2022
August 20, 2022We are proud to announce that the following educators from the Faculty of Science have been awarded the ATEA this year: Associate Professor LAM Siew Hong, Department of Biological Sciences, Dr LIU Mei Hui, Department of Food Science and Technology, Dr HAN Zhe, Department of Pharmacy and Dr Vikneswaran S/O GOPAL, Department of Statistics and Data Science.
These awards recognise outstanding educators across the university for their achievements in teaching, including instruction, educational design, assessment and feedback, as well as the wider adoption of good practices in these areas through leadership and support of other colleagues.
Associate Professor Lam Siew Hong
Assoc Prof Lam is the Assistant Head of the Department of Biological Sciences.
For him, the opportunity to teach is a great privilege and he tries his best to impart knowledge to his students so that they can learn some “small positive influences” that benefit their lives.
He says, “My most satisfying and memorable moments are when students share how they benefit from the modules I taught.”
He adds, “I am grateful to my students and colleagues who made this possible. I can only teach if I have students who want to learn from me and it is with a supportive and nurturing community that such an award is warm and meaningful.”
Assoc Prof Lam has received various teaching awards at both university- and faculty-levels. He previously received the ATEA in 2009 and 2010.
Dr Liu Mei Hui
Dr Liu is a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Food Science and Technology. She holds the concurrent appointment of Assistant Dean (Undergraduate Studies and Student Life) at the Faculty.
Her philosophy as an educator is to help students form links between textbook content and real-life application in their profession and their daily lives. Dr Liu explains that by forming such links, students will hold a continuous appreciation of value in their learning experience and continue to apply their knowledge in ways that are relevant to themselves.
“I’m elated,” Dr Liu says, “When students tell me explicitly that they enjoy attending my class to learn, but not learn to get a grade – because these are attributes of self-directed learners who appreciate how knowledge acquired can be applied out of the classroom.”
Dr Liu adds that every iteration of the modules she teaches is built upon the feedback received from many previous students, and she is thankful to them and colleagues who have helped shape her into the educator she is today.
Dr Liu received the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award in 2016, 2018 and 2021, and this is her first ATEA.
Dr Han Zhe
Dr Han Zhe is a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Pharmacy.
As an educator, Dr Han encourages students to recognise the relevance of their education to their future careers. She also firmly believes that learning is most effective when students are actively involved in the process.
She says, “This is the reason why I bring patient cases from my own clinical practice to illustrate real-world clinical applications and incorporate active learning pedagogies in all my teaching activities.”
Nothing is more memorable than to have her graduated students tell her that they are able to relate what she taught to their practice in the real world.
She adds, “I’m honoured and deeply humbled to receive this award. I would like to thank my department for the nomination and their support of my work. Also, special thanks to my students who inspire me to be a more effective educator.”
Dr Han also received the AETA in 2019.
Dr Vikneswaran S/O Gopal
Dr Vik Gopal is a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Statistics and Data Science.
He says, “I like statistics and computing, so I try to convey the usefulness and practicality of these topics during classes and create an environment where students can experiment and learn with joy.”
Dr Gopal shares that he is extremely flattered to receive the award and is motivated to further improve himself as an educator. “Receiving this award is certainly something I will remember and treasure.”
Dr Gopal has developed and delivered classes to undergraduates, post-graduates and working adults and is a recipient of multiple teaching awards at both university- and faculty-level for teaching excellence. This is his third ATEA.
