Message from the President and Vice-Chancellor
Dear Colleagues, Students and Alumni,
As you might already have heard, we have some terrific news: Dr. Michael Botelho, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Dentistry, has been honoured with the 2015 UGC Teaching Award. Please join me in extending to him our warmest congratulations! The Award was launched by the UGC in 2011 to honour academics in the UGC-funded institutions for their outstanding teaching performance and achievements, as well as their leadership in and scholarly contribution to teaching and learning. Only 2-3 awards are made each year.
Dr. Michael Botelho has taught at the University for nearly twenty years. During this period, he has built an enviable reputation as a committed, compassionate and diligent teacher and colleague, and an influential advocate of problem based learning both within and beyond his Faculty. According to Dr. Botelho, university education should be based on meaningful dialogue with and between students. There is ample evidence that he is adept at creating the conditions for successful learning within the problem based learning curriculum. His approach is one of engaging students, even in large groups, in dialogue through sophisticated use of questioning. In recognition of his outstanding contributions in enhancing student learning, he was awarded the University’s 2014 Outstanding Teaching Award.
It is most encouraging to note that four of our colleagues have been conferred this prestigious Award in the past five exercises, which is clear evidence of the University’s excellence in teaching and learning.
Professor Peter Mathieson
President and Vice-Chancellor
