FAH Academic Awards Winners 2019

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) presented the FAH Academic Awards to recognize the members’ excellence in teaching, research and service. The Awards are given annually based on students’ and colleagues’ nominations, recommendation by the Academic Award Selection Committees and a final review by the FAH management.

We are proud to announce that the 2019 winners are here:

Best Teacher Award – Joaquim KUONG

Prof. Kuong has successfully demonstrated his teaching excellence from the well-developed course design, holistic teaching practice, effective assessment and the blended learning activities. His teaching philosophy which is the belief of teacher should be a knowledge-building facilitator and effective communicator is fully reflected by his submitted course samples. The design of assessments is closely aligned with the stated intended learning outcomes. There are also indications of how individual assignments can be cross-referenced with corresponding ILOs. The Committee was also impressed with the range of courses Prof Kuong’s taught. He taught nine different UG and PG courses over the last two years. Moreover, his SFQ scores were always very high – much higher than the Department and Faculty averages with many positive student comments.

Best Instructor Award – Miranda MA

Ms. Ma is undoubtedly recognized as a dedicated and caring teacher among the students and colleagues. She always puts her students in the first place and endeavors to motivate the students to learn and to grow. Ms. Ma has demonstrated teaching excellence in the well-designed teaching materials, interactive teaching practice and effective assessments. In particular, the course sample “English Writing and Grammar Improvement” is very impressive to the committee. It was a new course offered last year and developed by Ms. Ma. The course materials and lesson designs have reflected her careful preparation and patience in engaging students’ learning, which are fully in line with her teaching philosophy. Ms. Ma is a student-oriented teacher and always works closely with the students, with high SFQ scores. She is a well-liked teacher with consistently positive comments by the students

Excellence in Research Award – YANG Bin

During the period reviewed for the award, Prof. Yang Bin published two single authored monographs (one in English, one in Chinese), one book chapter, one English journal article, one Chinese journal article, two book reviews and many Chinese academic essays. He also gave ten plenary/ keynote talks worldwide. The impact of his research was reflected in high google citations and in the national and international awards he received.  Prof. Yang’s International Workshop “The (Un)Making of China: A Frontier  Approach” was awarded The Harvard-Yenching Institute Workshop Grant; his English monograph on cowrie shells was awarded The Harvard-Yenching Institute Publication Grant; his paper “Exodus: Lotus Seals and Sealings in a Transregional  Perspective,” was awarded the first prize at the 2018 international forum on images, seals, and sealings, organized by the Xiling Seal Art Society in China, in addition he was admitted to the Society which only has five members in total from Macau. All these achievements reflect Prof. Yang’s reputation as an impactful scholar in the field. Prof. Yang is an absolutely remarkable example of scholar who produces high quality research.

Excellence in Service Award – YAO Jing Ming

Prof. Yao has been serving at UM since 1994 and has been carrying heavy administration duties at the Department of Portuguese. He is widely recognized as a supportive, fair and caring Head and teacher to his staff and students.

Prof. Yao’s contributions are not only limited to the teaching of Portuguese language and culture at the University, but extended to the Macau Society, Mainland China and the Lusophone world – evidence of his active response to the regional and national development policies. His impact on Chinese and Portuguese culture exchange is reflected by a series of awards and honors bestowed on him, including the Officer-class Santiago Sword Medal presented by the President of Portugal and the Dawn Award for Cultural Contribution from Chinese Association of Poetry. Prof. Yao’s professional service is remarkable. He is on the Cultural Affairs Consultative Committee of the Macau SAR Government. He also serves as advisor on the Consultative Committee of Jorge Alvares Foundation of Portugal, consultant of the Hong Kong Poetry Festival Foundation, Deputy Director of Macau Literary Festival (since 2013), member of editorial board of Contemporary International Poetry and Director of Sino-Occidental Poetry Magazine etc. Prof. Yao has also contributed to enhancing academic visibility and reputation of the University and the Faculty by coordinating numerous international conferences and activities.

Congratulations to the winners again!