#teachingwithoutboundaries

In recognition of instructors who have made substantial contribution to the design and teaching of courses of Interdiscplinary Programs Office (IPO) and outstanding contributions to the learning experience and success of students, IPO established the “IPO Teaching Excellence Award” in 2017/18. Each academic year, an instructor or a team of instructors of IPO undergraduate and postgraduate courses will be awarded respectively.

For the IPO Teaching Excellence Award 2019/20, Dr. Meike SAUERWEIN, Lecturer of the Division of Environment and Sustainability (ENVR), is awarded at undergraduate category. Dr. SAUERWEIN teaches three undergraduate courses: The Smart Consumer - Uncovering the Hidden Story behind the Product Label (ENVR 1080), Life Cycle Assessment (ENVR 2040) and Introduction to Sustainability (SUST 1000).  Her courses are very popular among students with high enrolment rate and outstanding evaluation feedback from students.  Dr. SAUERWEIN demonstrated strong interest in developing new teaching approaches to enhance students’ motivations and interests in sustainability and sustainable consumption. She has also successfully secured Teaching and Learning Innovation Projects (TLIP) funding to develop an app-based game for Life-Cycle courses. The Life-Cycle Thinking Workshop is now part of ENGG1010, which is a required course for all School of Engineering (SENG) Year 1 students.  There have been about 800 SENG students taking the workshop.

Prof. Naubahar SHARIF, the Program Co-director of Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Associate Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), is awarded at postgraduate category. Prof. SHARIF is the instructor of Technology, Innovation and Public Policy (PPOL 5230) at IPO.  He teaches a diversity of well-received courses including undergraduate, postgraduate, executive education, EMBA courses, as well as some online courses.  Prof. SHARIF adopts the partnership-in-education approach by establishing partnership with students and helping them learn new skills which can be applied in different academic settings and also work environments. Prof. SHARIF also developed a MOOC course in 2012/13 with enrollment of over 21,000 students.  It was reported positively in media as the “Asia’s First MOOC”.

Certificates and crystal trophies were presented to Dr. SAUERWEIN and Prof. SHARIF as a token of appreciation at the IPO Faculty Board Meeting held on 16 November 2020.