• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) Western Sydney University recognises staff achievements in teaching by offering teaching awards.

(2) The awards support the strategic goals of the University and act as a channel for monitoring and celebrating individual, group and team achievements.

(3) This policy provides the underlying principles and categories of the awards.

(4) The policy applies to currently-employed permanent and fixed-term full, part-time and casual academic and professional staff.

(5) The University expects successful candidates will apply for the Australian Government's Office for Learning and Teaching Awards within two years of receiving an award.

Section 2 - Definitions

(6) Nil.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(7) The teaching awards acknowledge 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 achieving its mission.

(8) The awards, which are issued by the Vice-Chancellor and President or nominee:

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

(9) The categories of awards are:

1. Western Sydney University Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, which is designed to both acknowledge staff who have made a significant contribution to student learning in a specific area of responsibility and encourage staff to develop their career;
2. Western Sydney University Teaching Excellence Award, which supports the work done by academic staff in providing outstanding learning experiences for students;
3. The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching Award, which is the premier University teaching award.

(10) 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.

Section 4 - Procedures

(11) Refer to the Teaching Awards Procedures.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(12) Nil.