The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics proudly celebrates the UP Teaching Excellence Award winner, Dr Rory Biggs.

Dr Biggs has been very active in promoting and driving excellence in teaching since his appointment at UP in 2017. It is with due reason then that UP acknowledges this and grants him this recognition. 

Over and above the 33 research papers, 1 book chapter, and 7 conference proceedings published by Dr Biggs, he has been involved in lecturing two high impact modules, namely WTW114 and WTW220, teaching classes ranging from 150 to 400 students. He has implemented several innovations to both WTW114 and WTW220 to engage with students, to create a supportive teaching and learning environment, and to provide enrichment. These innovations include weekly podcasts where the lecturing team have course related discussions, video recordings of lectures, and online discussion boards for student/staff and student/student interactions.

Dr Biggs’s flagship achievement is the T&L@NAS Bulletin: conceiving it, creating it, and serving as editor thereof. The aim of the bulletin is to be a forum for the UP teaching and learning community to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

I his own words Dr Biggs feels: I like to think of my role as a lecturer as being a guide on a grand adventure; I am there to guide my students through difficulties, offer support, give context to new encounters, to kindle their interest, and to (especially) share my enthusiasm and passion as we traverse the new material.

Dr Biggs is an inspiration to all and justly deserving of this recognition. The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics feel honoured to have him in the ranks, and look forward to all his future endeavours.