Congratulations to the lecturers of the year

Every September, the university park fills with newly enrolled students, and behind the yellow and red walls a large cohort of skilled lecturers are ready to equip them with new knowledge and methods. This task is not always easy, as the curricula are demanding. That is why each year Health celebrates the lecturers who go above and beyond in their teaching. The students themselves nominate the winners, and this year the honour has, among others, gone to a lecturer in molecular principles of cell and organ functions and a lecturer in sports pedagogy. This year’s winners are:

Assistant Professor Tina Wang Vedelø Master programme in Nursing

Tina Wang Vedelø was one of 15 nominated lecturers on the programme, and she won the anonymous ballot convincingly with 50% of the votes.
The students have highlighted Tina both for her work in the classroom and for her role as an examination supervisor. They particularly emphasise her ability to meet students at eye level, her passion for nursing, and her strengths as a communicator who is both critical and reflective in relation to practice. As the students note, there is “never any doubt that she wants the very best for her students, both in teaching and in examinations”.

Teaching Associate Professor Bjarke Andreasen Sport Science

The students say of Bjarke:
“He is a skilled and down-to-earth lecturer. Whether you are completely new to his subject or already have considerable experience, Bjarke succeeds in creating an environment in which each individual student is challenged at a level that matches their abilities. He is also able to link theory to the very issues that students encounter, which provides a stronger practical and theoretical understanding of the subject. There is always a clear thread running through his teaching, and he is not afraid to involve students and discuss the teaching with them, which quickly creates a safe learning environment.”

Clinical Instructor Michael Jessen Dentistry
Michael receives the award as he is “a skilled and committed lecturer who manages to put a smile on the students’ faces. He always arrives well prepared and in good spirits, and he meets his students at eye level. Michael is very good at sharing his knowledge and creates a positive and safe learning environment with room for both humour and for making mistakes. There is never any compromise on the quality of the students’ work, which he approaches critically to ensure the greatest possible learning outcome.”

Associate Professor Jörg Schullehner Public Health

Jörg Schullehner is praised for his empathetic and highly supportive approach to teaching, as well as for his ability to communicate in a way that makes topics relatable. In the students’ own words, he is “excellent at lecturing”.

instructor Charlotte Huber Clinical Dental Technician

Charlotte Huber also won the award last year and is known for her inspiring approach. “Through her work, she has been a constant source of support and positive energy within the programme. Her thoughtfulness and helpfulness are clearly reflected in her manner, and she consistently manages to create joy and a positive atmosphere around her. Both in the clinic and during teaching, Charlotte contributes with a level of engagement that leaves a positive mark on the study environment,” the students write.

Lecturer Vibe Lindhardt Ishiwata Clinical Dental Technician

Vibe Lindhardt Ishiwata is also a returning winner from last year. She receives the award for being “a lecturer who is dedicated and committed in her work with students. The students value her support and her approach to teaching.” She also makes an extra effort to be accessible for supervision, and students note that she is good at reminding them that mistakes are a natural and valuable part of their development and learning.

Associate Professor, Christian Bjerggaard Vægter Medicine

Each year, the Medical Students’ Council organises a vote to decide who will be Lecturer of the Year. This year, the award goes to Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedicine, Christian Bjerggaard Vægter, who also won the award in 2023.
The students emphasise that he “is an exceptionally good and enthusiastic lecturer who loves his subject and knows how to teach it. He is always ready to answer questions and explains the material very clearly.”

The Lecturers of the Year are selected by students on the individual programmes, and in addition to the honour, the lecturers receive a diploma and a cheque for DKK 5,000.

Contact

Advisor Hanne Johansen
Aarhus University, Administrative Center Health – Faculty Secretariat
Phone: +45 41 89 30 67
Email: hannejohansen@au.dk