Glasgow College, UESTC

On 5th December, the English Language star of our academic team, Jennifer MacDougall, was presented with a 'Teaching Excellence Award' by Dame Katherine Grainger, Chancellor of the University of Glasgow. The conferral took place in front of a distinguished group of leaders, peers, and proud family members - as well as freshly-graduated students from the College of Science and Engineering.

In the Award Speech given by Professor Stephany Biello, Dean of Learning and Teaching, Jen's many achievements over recent years were enumerated; meaning that its length was not insignificant! The transcript is provided below.

Jennifer MacDougall in the university cloisters, immediately after the ceremony where she received her award.

"Vice-Chancellor. Graduation is the time at which we recognise the achievements of our students, and it is appropriate that, at this point, we also recognise the achievements of the staff who have supported and encouraged them towards their successes.

The University of Glasgow has a long and distinguished tradition of learning and an established reputation for the high quality of teaching that it offers to its students. The University recognises teaching excellence through awards presented to colleagues who have made an outstanding contribution to teaching and student support. I will shortly invite you, Vice Chancellor, to present a Teaching Excellence Award to Jennifer MacDougall. Before I do so, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you, and those present, the reasons for which Jennifer MacDougall is to be recognised in this way.

Jennifer has been nominated for her exceptional contributions to teaching and support for learning at Glasgow College, UESTC. Jennifer's teaching approach embodies a student-centered philosophy, emphasising dialogic and emergent language development through student voice and 'student as producer' principles. She fosters an inclusive and participatory learning environment, promoting 'Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion' (EDI) in her teaching resources. Jennifer's commitment to contextual relevance and scaffolded learning has led to remarkable achievements in enhancing the educational experience of Engineering students.

Jennifer's work at Glasgow College, UESTC has had a transformative impact on the English language courses delivered to over 1,000 Engineering students and 30 English language teachers. Her efforts encompassed the complete overhaul of English language teaching, including curriculum design, co-lead management, and the creation of bespoke teaching materials. Collaborating closely with the management team at English for Academic Study (EAS), Jennifer ensured alignment with UofG provision and incorporated a General English component to broaden the scope of learning.

External examiners have commended Jennifer's robust systems and procedures, as well as her innovative practices in course delivery and assessment. Jennifer's commitment to student success is evident in the fourth-semester course, English Communication and Engineering Career Skills (ECECS), which she re-designed and coordinates, and which acts as a gateway to progression in the degree program. Through this course, she equips students with employability skills, research and academic writing abilities, and academic presentation skills.

Even during the pandemic, Jennifer's dedication to student learning remained unwavering. She redesigned courses and resources for online delivery, provided additional teacher support, and developed an alternative assessment system when the required IELTS test became unavailable. Jennifer's contributions to effective practice policies and guides, as part of the GC­-UESTC executive response team, resulted in joint publications on policy implementation with her Engineering colleagues. Her efforts in revolutionising the program and integrating it within the Engineering discipline and transnational education context were widely commended.

Jennifer's commitment to professional development has played a pivotal role in nurturing early­-career teachers at UESTC. She introduced best practices such as task-based and project-­based learning, student collaboration and autonomy, and an 'assessment for learning' ethos. Through capacity building activities, Jennifer has empowered the UESTC team to become more autonomous in managing the English language provision.

In recognition of Jennifer MacDougall's exceptional achievements in teaching and support for learning, her transformative contributions to the Glasgow College, UESTC English language program, and her dedication to student success and professional development, she is highly deserving of the Individual Excellence Award in Learning and Teaching.

Vice Chancellor, it gives me great pleasure to invite you to present a Teaching Excellence Award to Jennifer MacDougall."

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First published: 20 December 2023