Omnium wins top online learning and teaching award

16 December 2005

UNSW has received an international learning and teaching award for the unique online education initiatives developed by The Omnium Project at the College of Fine Arts (COFA).

The Australasian Society of Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (Ascilite) presented their '2005 President's Award' to The Omnium Project (UNSW), at the recent 22nd Ascilite Conference in Brisbane. The award recognised Omnium for its 'exemplary application of ICT to teaching and learning in tertiary education'.

The Omnium Project was selected from a group of 15 international finalists and highly commended for two areas of its research and practice; the Omnium e-Learning Software Suite and their global online Creative Waves project held earlier this year in association with the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda).

Rick Bennett, founder of the Omnium Project and head of COFA Online accepted the award together with Omnium contributor and co-convenor of the Creative Waves project, Vince Dzieken, head of Multimedia and Digital Arts at Monash University, Melbourne.

"This award clearly acknowledges the University's determination to encourage and support innovative and often adventurous learning and teaching approaches," says Bennett. "Omnium is just one example of UNSW's commitment to improving the learning experience for our students."

Founded in 1998, The Omnium Project's research and activities have enabled over 3000 creative students, educators, professionals, theorists and writers from over 40 countries worldwide to connect with one another through its online projects, courses and communities.

For more information see the Omnium website.