Outstanding Achievements in Teaching

The university is presenting a teaching award for the second time. The award is intended to recognize above-average dedication and outstanding achievements in teaching at the University of Zittau/Görlitz. Furthermore, it highlights the special importance of higher education as a whole and provides an incentive for faculty members at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences to continuously improve their teaching. Consequently, the awarding of the Teaching Award promotes the improvement of teaching quality and serves as an essential tool in Quality management at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.

The following are eligible for the award:
a) university faculty members, lecturers with a specified function, research assistants, adjunct instructors, and tutors;
b) groups of faculty members as defined in subsection a);
c) instructors as defined in subparagraph (a) working in collaboration with laboratory engineers
as a group

of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and cooperation partners involved in the implementation of degree programmes for which Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is responsible. As a rule, the award is presented to only one person or group.

The prize consists of a one-time cash award of 1,000 euros. The awarding of the prize is subject to the provision of funding by the Friends of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences e.V.
Acceptance of the prize by the recipient does not entail any obligation in return. The recipient(s) may dispose of the prize money as they see fit. Where applicable, income tax regulations must be observed.
Individual faculty members or groups of faculty members demonstrating above-average dedication and outstanding achievements in teaching may be nominated for the Teaching Award.
Faculties and central administrative units are authorized to submit nominations in consultation with the Faculty Student Committees of the University of Zittau/Görlitz.
For cooperation partners involved in degree programmes, the executive board or management, in consultation with the cooperating faculty, is authorized to submit nominations.
Following a resolution by the relevant Faculty Council or central administrative unit, the Dean or director must submit at least the following documents in writing to the Rector (Secretariat, Ms. Dellf) by December 8, 2017 :

• Excerpt from the minutes of the Faculty Council meeting containing the resolution,
• A detailed justification by the nominating unit explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award,
• Curriculum vitae (CV) or tabular resume of the nominee,
• Certificates of participation in university or subject-specific teaching qualification programs (as copies) are preferred if available,
• Evidence or a list of outstanding teaching achievements over the past three years, supplemented, if applicable, by teaching materials from the curriculum, new concept, or method,
• Results of teaching evaluations from the past three years.

Documents that are not submitted in full and by the deadline will not be considered.
The selection criteria for the appointment decision are:

• Specificity of the teaching activity or concept in terms of the degree of innovation and/or the implementation of pedagogical implications (i.e., the pedagogical approach pursued, consideration of heterogeneity, interdisciplinarity, specific practical or research relevance, etc.),
• Results of student evaluations of classes / courses,
• Level of qualification acquired in pedagogy, as well as the scope and duration of completed university-level or subject-specific pedagogical training programs (if applicable),
• Compliance with formal requirements (e.g., timely submission of grades).

In the overall assessment of the candidate, special commitment and personality should also be taken into account. The following criteria may reflect this context:

• The scope of human and financial resources available in the work environment, the teaching load in accordance with DAVOHS,
• advising and supporting students beyond individual classes / courses,
• involvement in the development of degree programs, in international cooperation in higher education, and in the academic self-governance of the faculty or the university.

The chair of the selection committee submits the selection committee’s recommended decision to the University Executive Board and the Friends of Zittau/Görlitz University Association. The University Executive Board and the Friends of Zittau/Görlitz University Association may submit their vote in writing within one month of receiving the proposal.
Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences issues a certificate to the award recipient, and the chair of the selection committee presents the teaching award during the feierliche disenrolment (from university) in April 2018.
Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences promotes the prestige of the award and the award recipient in an appropriate manner and in consultation with the recipient, in particular through announcements in the university’s internal and regional media.