Announcing 2024's Lecturer of the Year!

The MGA hosted its annual ceremony at the Alfred Precinct one morning in March to celebrate the lecturers who work hard to educate and inspire their graduate students.

It was a Tuesday morning like any other. The staff from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences based out of the Alfred Research Alliance gathered on St Kilda Road, as they did every month, for morning tea. To one staff member's complete surprise, she was to be honoured at this event with a most prestigious award.

MGA President, Yiwen Yuan addressed the room with a special announcement.

"Today is a day filled with surprise, especially for one individual in this room," she said. "And admiration and gratitude as we reveal the recipient of the coveted MGA Lecturer of the Year for 2024".

And to her amazement, Associate Professor Danijela Gasevic discovered that it was she who had been crowned Lecturer Of The Year (LOTY).

Of Assoc. Prof. Gasevic's remarkable dedication to teaching, the student who nominated her said:

"Her enthusiasm is infectious, inspiring students to delve deeper into the complexities of chronic disease epidemiology and prevention while fostering a sense of excitement and curiosity in the classroom.

... Her constructive feedback and expertise in epidemiology were instrumental in guiding me through the research process, ultimately helping me to refine my research proposal and set clear objectives for my project. 

... In addition to Assoc. Prof. Danijela's exemplary teaching qualities, it's worth mentioning her dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. She actively encourages student participation and values diverse perspectives, creating opportunities for all students to contribute and engage in meaningful discussions. Prof. Danijela also demonstrates a genuine interest in her students' academic growth and personal development, regularly offering guidance and mentorship beyond the scope of course requirements."

The MGA's Lecturer of the Year (LOTY) Award was created precisely to recognise teachers like Assoc. Prof. Gasevic and all the work that they do.

You can check out our LOTY Hall of Fame here.