#leadingwithoutboundaries

The Common Core Teaching Excellence Award 2020 was presented to the team of instructors of the common core course SUST 1000 Introduction to Sustainability including Prof. Arthur LAU,  Prof. Laurence DELINA, Prof. Zhongming LU, Prof. Xiaoming SHI, Prof. Benjamin STEUER, and Dr Meike SAUERWEIN from the Division of Environment and Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Programs Office. The Award Presentation Ceremony was held on 9 August 2021 to celebrate their achievements.

The implementation of the Common Core Program provides students with an exciting and excellent opportunity to enrich their undergraduate educational experience. The successful delivery of this Common Core Program depends on the contribution of instructors, together with the full support from their School and department/unit, in developing and teaching a good collection of common core courses. The Award is presented each year to recognize outstanding common core course instructors who have made substantial contribution to the design and/ or the teaching of exemplary common core courses, and to promote these courses to the students in the University community.

Sustainability is one of the most imperative challenges nowadays, making it critically important for the next generation to be informed and motivated to tackle the many issues it encompasses. One of the hurdles for educators, though, is how to engage students in an effective, inspiring and proactive way, given its multifaceted nature.

The Selection Committee commended that in SUST 1000 “Introduction to Sustainability”, Prof. Arthur Lau and his team had pioneered an outstanding group teaching model to build knowledge and interest in this vital subject.

Through enquiry-based learning and analysis of topics ranging from environmental science and engineering to economics, the six-person teaching team raises awareness of the diverse perspectives in addressing sustainability issues, and engage learners in stimulating class discussions and memorable activities that bring home the course content.

Some learners with limited prior exposure to sustainability note how this course changed their mindsets and helped them understand the link between personal responsibilities and wider societal issues. Others highlight the enjoyable way this serious topic was presented.

You could read the full citation from the Selection Committee here.

Congratulations to Prof. Arthur LAU, Prof. Laurence DELINA, Prof. Zhongming LU, Prof. Xiaoming SHI, Prof. Benjamin STEUER, and Dr. Meike SAUERWEIN!