• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Part A - Call for Nominations
• Part B - Eligibility for Awards
• UWS Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
• UWS Excellence in Teaching
• Part C - Nomination Process and Submissions
• Part D - Award Categories and Nature of Prize
• Table 1: Award Categories and Prizes
• Part E - Funding and Expenditure
• Part F - Administration of the Awards Scheme
• Part G - The Awards Panel
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) The primary purpose of the UWS Learning and Teaching Awards is to recognise and reward the excellent achievements of UWS staff.

(2) The Awards are intended to:

1. recognise and reward excellence;
2. instil notions of best-practice and excellence in all aspects of work at UWS;
3. boost morale and productivity of staff;
4. identify and support UWS nominees for other award schemes;
5. foster ongoing professional development;
6. encourage loyalty and commitment to UWS; and
7. provide a platform to showcase staff achievements.

(3) The Awards will support the strategic goals of the University and will act as a channel for monitoring and celebrating achievement by individuals, groups and teams.

(4) There is an expectation that successful candidates will apply for articulate to external Office for Learning and Teaching Awards within two years of receiving an award.

Section 2 - Definitions

(5) Nil.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

Part A - Call for Nominations

(6) The Vice-Chancellor and President will call for nominations each year for awards to University staff whose outstanding dedication, creativity and excellence in performance and service have had, or are having a significant impact on the University's progress towards the achievement of its mission.

(7) The awards are available to:

1. teams who demonstrate the capacity to collaborate effectively towards shared goals and who achieve excellence in outcomes in the nominated area of activity related to student learning;
2. individuals who demonstrate the capacity to work innovatively and in an exemplary manner and who achieve excellence in the nominated area of activity related to student learning; and
3. teams or individuals who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to service related to student learning both within and beyond the institution.

Part B - Eligibility for Awards

UWS Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning

(8) Currently employed permanent or fixed-term full, or part-time or casual academic or professional staff of the University who have worked at UWS for a minimum of one year are eligible for individual nomination, or as leaders of team nominations.

(9) Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Awards are designed to both acknowledge and encourage staff to develop their career.

(10) For team nominations, staff who do not satisfy these eligibility criteria, but whose contribution to the Award initiative is to be acknowledged, may be included as members of a team nomination.

(11) Winners of UWS Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Awards (either individuals or teams) are not eligible for nomination (as an individual or team leader) in the following year in the same category. However, previous recipients of highly commended nominations can reapply. These nominations will be required to demonstrate progress from their previous year's submissions.

(12) Previous award winners must demonstrate progression since the time of the award.

(13) Nominees for UWS Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning may not also apply for a UWS Excellence in Teaching Award in the same year.

UWS Excellence in Teaching

(14) Currently employed full or part-time academic staff of the University who have worked at UWS for a minimum of one year are eligible for individual nomination, or as leaders of team nominations.

(15) For team nominations, staff who do not satisfy these eligibility criteria, but whose contribution to the Award initiative is to be acknowledged, may be included as members of a team nomination.

(16) Winners of UWS Excellence in Teaching Awards (either individuals or teams) are not eligible for nomination (as an individual or team leader) in the following year. However, previous recipients of highly commended nominations can reapply. These nominations will be required to demonstrate progress from their previous year's submissions.

(17) Previous award winners must demonstrate progression since the time of the award.

(18) Note: Staff employed as designated officers with a primary role to establish and implement initiatives and policies in areas relating to the UWS Learning and Teaching Awards would not normally be eligible for individual nomination or as the leader of a team nomination, although their contributions to a team initiative can be acknowledged in team membership.

(19) Nominees for UWS Excellence in Teaching Awards may not also apply for a UWS Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning in the same year.

Part C - Nomination Process and Submissions

(20) UWS Learning and Teaching Awards are intended to recognise achievements over the previous one to three year period, although in some categories of award it is anticipated that submissions may include briefly summarised background material from longer than three years ago in order to contextualise these achievements.

(21) Nominations must be made on the forms designated for each Award and available through the UWS website. Enquiries about advice and assistance in the preparation of submissions can be made to the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic.

(22) It is a condition of entry to the Awards that further enquiries can be made of a factual nature of the submission.

Part D - Award Categories and Nature of Prize

(23) There are three categories of Award:

1. UWS Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
2. UWS Awards for Excellence in Teaching.
3. The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Award is the premier University teaching award. The UWS Award Panel will recommend one recipient for the Vice- Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Award from the recipients of the UWS Excellence in Teaching Awards. The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Award is given to an academic with an exceptional record of advancing student learning, educational leadership and scholarly contributions to learning and teaching.

Table 1: Award Categories and Prizes

Part E - Funding and Expenditure

(24) The total allocation of funds for the Awards and their distribution across the Award categories will be determined on an annual basis. Award funds can be spent on either the further development of the initiatives(s) for which the Award has been conferred, or the further professional development of the staff nominee(s). Award funds are expected to be spent within one calendar year. Individual winners may also elect to take their prize money as cash (paid through payroll) after tax. Where a team agrees unanimously to an equal split by each team member, the team can opt to take their prize money as cash paid to individuals (through payroll) after tax. Cash prizes can also be donated to a registered charity or as a contribution to superannuation. The Guidelines prescribe conditions for expenditure and acquittal of the Award funds.

Part F - Administration of the Awards Scheme

(25) Overall administrative co-ordination of the Awards scheme will be undertaken by the Division of Corporate Strategy and Services, through liaison with the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic. The guidelines outline roles and responsibilities of Units, as well as the annual timeline for the scheme.

Part G - The Awards Panel

(26) The membership of the UWS Awards Panel is listed below. Where members are unavailable, the Vice-Chancellor and President or Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic will approve substitute members. The UWS Award Panel will consider nominations against the specified selection criteria and will make recommendations.

(27) The UWS Awards Panel for UWS Citations and UWS Excellence in Teaching Awards will comprise:

1. Chair: External member nominated by the Vice-Chancellor and President;
2. Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic;
3. Pro Vice-Chancellor, Students or nominee;
4. One Deputy Dean as nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic;
5. One Professional Staff member as nominated by Pro Vice-Chancellor, Students;
6. One OLT Citation or Teaching Excellence award winner (UWS employee) as nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Academic;
7. Head, Learning and Teaching Unit;
8. (Secretarial support from the Office of People and Culture);

(28) Part H - Dissemination of Outcomes

(29) Awards will be presented at the annual UWS University Awards. Announcements about Award recipients will be disseminated broadly. Additionally, Award recipients will be invited to prepare a written account about their achievements and innovations and/or make presentations at suitable occasions and forums.

Section 4 - Procedures

(30) Nil.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(31) Refer to the UWS Learning and Teaching Awards Guidelines.