Congratulations Anuj Bhargava on receiving the National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award in the General category.
Anuj stated “Learning is deeply personal. Students acquire knowledge best when teaching is tailored to their specific requirements. I put students at the centre of my teaching and connect with them as distinct individuals.”
Anuj’s teaching is built on learner-centred and holistic philosophies to tailor learning in the medical and health sciences at The University of Auckland. He creates inclusive environments by prioritising students’ understanding and backgrounds.
His work is leading the development of teaching and curriculum for Māori and Pacific students, initiating a Manaaki academic support programme, and developing a Physiology capstone course, has been recognised at the university.
Anuj has a strong teaching research portfolio and is actively involved in supporting his peers and other teachers, in the Faculty and in Australasia. Colleagues note that Anuj’s work impacts upon many staff throughout the organisation through his staff initiatives.
To foster a supportive community of learners, Anuj worked with students to establish the Student Association for the Medical Sciences (SAMS), which has helped him organise career events and student mental wellbeing initiatives. Since 2009, he has designed and organised School’s professional development events, careers expos and networking events to connect BSc students with industry contacts. He also developed a demonstrators’ training programme in 2008.
Over the last fourteen years, Anuj has embraced the challenges of stimulating enthusiasm in students for physiology, and identifying pedagogical and social strategies to sustain students’ curiosity in the subject. He has focused on holistic learning initiatives that prepare students for life-long learning.
He stated, “Student voices are my inspiration for developing Auaha (creative approaches) and for creating Wānanga (creative spaces) within my teaching domain.”
Well done Anuj
Anuj’s teaching profile