Dr. Poh Wah Hillock has been chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Universities Australia Teacher of the Year Award. On getting to know about her selection, Dr. Hillock was ‘blown away’ as she will be presented the awards by the Minister for Education Hon Jason Clare MP.

With their program director named Australia’s University Teacher of the Year Award, the first-year mathematics students at the University of Queensland (UQ) are getting the best possible start to their studies.

Four other UQ teachers have also been recognized, with UQ remaining the most awarded university through the Australian Awards for University Teaching scheme since 1997.

Having taught more than 20,000 students for more than ten years at UQ, Dr. Hillock was acknowledged for her personalized approach to supporting first-year mathematics students.

Dr. Hillock said, “If they stick with it through the first year, they understand the process, then everything else gets easier. That’s what makes me passionate about the work I do.”

Highlighting the qualities of Dr. Hillock, Professor Deborah Terry UQ Vice-Chancellor said Dr. Hillock had made exceptional contributions to higher education, which extends well beyond the classroom. He added, “Dr. Poh’s positive impact is helping so many students to bridge the gap between high school and university and thrive in this area, whereas as a nation we have a shortage of expertise including in all levels of teaching.”

Being a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Dr Hillock has also developed learning support programs to assist students at a formative time in their undergraduate degree.