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Wendy Frew
UNSW Media Office
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Innovation and excellence in teaching are the cornerstones of quality higher education, and UNSW academics have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to their students.

Four UNSW staff have received citations in the 2015 Australian Awards for University Teaching.

Dr Martin Bliemel, from UNSW Business' School of Management, was recognised for preparing management students to become entrepreneurs by creating authentic and respectful learning experiences.

Dr Natalie Buckmaster, also from UNSW Business, received her citation for developing professional capabilities of her postgraduate students through ‘The Living Classroom’, which inspires by immersing students in ‘real world’ accounting activities.

Professor Alex Steel, from UNSW Law, was recognised for enhancing the quality of legal education through national leadership in the development of educational standards, assessment methods and curriculum framework.

And UNSW Built Environment’s Mr Dean Utian received his citation for empowering built environment students to develop digital communication, design and creative expression skills through innovative use of video and games in collaborative environments.

Congratulating the 81 individuals and 15 teams honoured in the latest national citation round, Minister Pyne said the recipients demonstrated “creativity and dedication in their continued support for student learning and engagement”.

He said innovation and excellence are the cornerstones of the university system. “These citations honour exceptional individuals and teams who have worked with students, communities, staff and institutions across the nation to uphold high quality education.”

The recipients received their awards at a ceremony at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. 

The Australian Awards for University Teaching are administered by the Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT). For more information go to the OLT website.