CQUniversity's Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Rickard has awarded the University's excellent teachers for 2008.

The CQUniversity Awards for Teaching Excellence are awarded annually in recognition of excellent teaching practice at a University-wide level in addition to a Faculty/Australian International Campus/Pro Vice-Chancellor's Portfolio specific level.

CQUniversity's Dr Ergun Gide and Jennifer Kofoed have been awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Teaching Excellence.

Dr Gide was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Teacher of the Year ($5000) award for his dedication and expertise in university teaching in e-commerce.

Dr Ergun Gide The Sydney-based senior lecturer was applauded for setting high standards for his students, supporting them strongly, fostering their learning skills and getting correspondingly exceptional results.

His teaching has been informed by an excellent knowledge and understanding of his fast moving field and his focus has been on ensuring his students are well prepared for the digital age.

Dr Gide also was awarded the Award for Teaching Excellence ($1000) for Australian International Campuses.

Ms Kofoed was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Innovative Teacher of the Year award ($5000). 

She exudes a passion for teaching complex concepts and is highly regarded by her students for applying them to practical situations.

The Mackay-based accounting teacher recognises the wide range of pre-existing skills her students have, and encourages active participation in a journey of discovery with the aim of leading students to being intrinsically motivated.

Ms Jennifer Kofoed Ms Kofoed was also awarded the Award for Teaching Excellence ($1000) for the Faculty of Business and Informatics.

Ingrid Kennedy of the Academic Learning Support Unit was awarded the Pro Vice-Chancellor's Portfolio Award for Teaching Excellence ($1000).

Ms Kennedy believes that creating a fun learning atmosphere is important and that the appropriate use of humour in teaching creates a relaxed learning environment.

Her educational philosophy and beliefs are underpinned by adult learning principles, which include student-centred teaching, creating a positive working relationship with students and empowering them as individuals to be confident with, passionate about and fascinated by knowledge.

Ingrid KennedyAward recipients are now eligible for nomination for Australian Learning and Teaching Council Awards for Australian University Teaching Excellence as well as the Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.