Students and members of the academic staff are hereby invited to submit nominations for Distinguished Teacher Awards in 2008. All members of staff who teach students are eligible for the award.

The Distinguished Teacher Award Selection Committee would like to draw the university community's attention to the fact that outstanding 'junior' lecturers may be considered for nominations provided they have been teaching for a minimum of three years.

Nominators should note that, all things being equal, the Committee finds it difficult to make an award to someone who has been teaching at the university for less than three years, as the award is made in recognition of a continued record of excellence in teaching.

The Distinguished Teacher Award acknowledges the fundamental place of teaching and learning in the work of the university. It is a singular honour and is announced formally at the appropriate graduation ceremony in December. A Briefs purse of R20 000 is attached to the award. The Distinguished Teacher Award Selection Committee may recommend up to a maximum of four recipients.

Recognition in the form of a "Vice-Chancellor's Medal" will be awarded to a nominee who clearly stands out. This form of recognition will be awarded to one of the four DTA awardees, from time to time and at the discretion of the committee.

Nominations must consist of a detailed statement making the case for the award. Where possible, evidence of excellence in teaching over a number of years should be included as well as some detail about the nominee's approach to teaching; for example whether the teacher's strengths lie in lecturing to large classes, in laboratory instruction, in less formal teaching activities outside the classroom, in some innovative teaching technique, and so on.

Such nominations are to reach the Senate Officer, Room 110, Bremner Building, by Monday, 14 April, (marked "Confidential", for the attention of Mrs D Wedel).

Please note that it is not necessary to provide all the supporting documents by the deadline for nominations.