Teaching for: PhD candidate School of Business and Economics Sanaz Kateb
The jury was very impressed with how Sanaz, being yet at the very start of her academic career, makes such a meaningful contribution to her teaching. Within the framework of Servus, the Center for Servant Leadership at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, she has co-founded the Lecture Series ‘We Shall Overcome,’ which is a teaching program specifically designed for refugee students. Through interactive lectures and mentorship, Sanaz makes a great difference in refugee students' lives helping them to expand their social networks, and familiarize themselves with the Dutch academic environment, healthcare system, job market, and culture. The societal importance of this Lecture Series is recognized with institutional patronage by the UNESCO Commission in the Netherlands The jury also believed that special appreciation should be given to Sanaz for combining her regular PhD teaching responsibilities with serving as an ambassador for the development of vulnerable groups.
Societal Impact for: Assistant Professor Beyza Sumer University of Amsterdam
The jury was impressed by Beyza’s contributions to promoting the issue of sign language and developing tools to support its development of Deaf children in the Netherlands and Turkey. They appreciated the practical and creative way of reaching the targeted group of deaf children and making a difference in their lives. In particular, Beyza has developed the first bilingual preschool education program for Deaf children aged between 0-5, designed early sign language development tool, developed educational games, and produced the first bilingual cartoon series for children (both deaf and hearing) in Turkey that is broadcast by Turkish National Channel. The jury appreciated Beyza's extraordinary and meaningful work for deaf children and her efforts to support them in their development.
Academic Community Support for: mathematician Gabriele Benedetti
It is telling that Gabriele was nominated by several colleagues in this category. The jury very much appreciated Gabriele for all his care for the well-being of his colleagues and his support in all the challenges that they encounter. An interesting metaphor stands out in characterising Gabriele: “If our department was a complicated mechanical machine, he is a silent and hardworking mechanic that helps to grease it every day.” The jury felt great appreciation for Gabriele who continues to be this caring person even in the face of busy times and challenges that our busy academic lives entail.
AYA Recognition & Rewards Award
AYA welcomes and supports the current attention to Recognition & Rewards in Dutch academia and is committed to furthering forms of excellence and academic community care that are often overlooked in the current system. In line with this commitment, AYA has launched a new award aimed at academic staff at UvA and VU whose exceptional contributions to the academy might remain below the radar, but nevertheless are essential for a healthy university, be it in the form of teaching, societal impact, or of academic community support as a colleague, teacher, supervisor or mentor. Three prizes (of 2000 EUR each) in three different categories were awarded, to be used by the winners as allocated personal budget that they can spend as they see fit within the university context.