NEWS
The right chemistry sees RMIT scholar named top teacher
A passion for student learning and future success has seen an RMIT researcher land a major teaching award.
Dr Nicky Eshtiaghi was presented with the 2017 Caltex Award at The Australian and New Zealand Federation of Chemical Engineers conference in late July.
The award recognises Eshtiaghi’s outstanding contribution to the experiences of chemical engineering students in the classroom and beyond.
The award citation reads: “Nicky’s teaching philosophy is founded on the belief that all students should have the opportunity to develop to their full potential. She combines different strategies to foster student success.
“She creatively uses educational technology to offer flexible, multi-modal learning experiences while sustaining industry partnerships to scaffold students’ professional learning and development.
“Effective mentoring, including personalised and inclusive research supervision, to build students’ skills and experience is another of her key strengths."
Eshtiaghi said it was an honour to take home this year’s award, which also comes with a $5,000 cash prize.
“This is a prestigious award that every year recognises academics from Australia and New Zealand who have been nominated by a colleague,” she said.
“I am privileged that my contribution for transforming student-learning experiences has been recognised as there are so many good teachers out there.”
Eshtiaghi says her teaching is driven by a commitment to respecting diversity and being as inclusive as possible.
“Many of our students face challenges based on their diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and personal circumstances," she said.
“If we view difference as a rich resource that can enhance learning for all students we can provide a great teaching environment.
“This also provides a life-changing educational experience due to an increased sense of belonging.”
The 2017 Caltex Award is not the only prize Dr Eshtiaghi has collected in recent years. In 2015 she was named Victorian Professional Engineer of the Year and in 2014 she took out the ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions Award of Excellence in Chemical Engineering.
Story: James Giggacher
The award recognises Eshtiaghi’s outstanding contribution to the experiences of chemical engineering students in the classroom and beyond.
The award citation reads: “Nicky’s teaching philosophy is founded on the belief that all students should have the opportunity to develop to their full potential. She combines different strategies to foster student success.
“She creatively uses educational technology to offer flexible, multi-modal learning experiences while sustaining industry partnerships to scaffold students’ professional learning and development.
“Effective mentoring, including personalised and inclusive research supervision, to build students’ skills and experience is another of her key strengths."
Eshtiaghi said it was an honour to take home this year’s award, which also comes with a $5,000 cash prize.
“This is a prestigious award that every year recognises academics from Australia and New Zealand who have been nominated by a colleague,” she said.
“I am privileged that my contribution for transforming student-learning experiences has been recognised as there are so many good teachers out there.”
Eshtiaghi says her teaching is driven by a commitment to respecting diversity and being as inclusive as possible.
“Many of our students face challenges based on their diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and personal circumstances," she said.
“If we view difference as a rich resource that can enhance learning for all students we can provide a great teaching environment.
“This also provides a life-changing educational experience due to an increased sense of belonging.”
The 2017 Caltex Award is not the only prize Dr Eshtiaghi has collected in recent years. In 2015 she was named Victorian Professional Engineer of the Year and in 2014 she took out the ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions Award of Excellence in Chemical Engineering.
Story: James Giggacher