- Stephan Van Heerden
The 5th annual ASA Lecturer of the Year awards was held on the 13th of November 2009. Organised by the ASA, Lecturer of the Year is organised in order to recognise the hard work and dedication of Massey University staff.
The guests were greeted at the door by Women’s Rep Helen van Asch and Education Vice President Annie Zhang. Drinks and nibbles were provided and the key sponsor of the event, The National Bank even provided some of its staff as hosts and hostesses.
Just after midday, guests took their seats in the forward part of the Neil Waters building, outside the presentation of the awards. Every lecturer who received a nomination from the student body received certificates while a select few lecturers who received the most votes from their respective colleges received cups for their work . Penny Lyall, Advocacy Co-Coordinator for the ASA, read names while ASA President Rawa Karetai presented the winners with the certificates.
However, there can only be one winner of the Lecturer of the Year cup. This year the cup was accompanied, for the first time, by an authentic quill and ink reservoir.
Most eyes were on two-times previous winner Dr. Felix Ram from the School of Health and Social Services to take out the pretigious title, however, respected and reserved lecturer Dr. Peter Kay from the Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences received the award for 2009.
Asked on his thoughts after the ceremony concluded, Dr. Kay was not expecting to take out the pretigious award for 2009. “I thought Felix Ram would get it again this year,” he said after being asked if he thought he would win, “but it feels very good to have won.”
Dr. Kay’s outlook on what makes a good lecturer is simple. All he says it takes is a ” genuine love for the students”.
Unfortunately for Massey students, Dr. Kay is retiring at the end of this year. ASA President Rawa Karetai said that his absense will be sorely missed by the students of Albany: “the fire that he has left with the students he has taught will continue to burn and hopefully grow as they continue their education”.
The event was concluded with more drinks and nibbles in the rear part of the Neil Waters Building, set to the easy jazz stylings of Massey Student band “The Falling Piano Quintet.”