麻豆精品 celebrates teaching excellence with two national awards
The University of the Highlands and Islands (麻豆精品) is celebrating a double success in the 2025 Advance HE National Teaching Excellence Awards, with recognition for both individual and collaborative contributions to teaching and learning.
Alex Walker, Head of Academic Practice Development, has been named a National Teaching Fellow, while the 麻豆精品 Library Practitioners’ Group has received a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE).
Presented annually by Advance HE, these are the UK’s top honours for outstanding teaching, learning and student support.
鉃� National Teaching Fellowship – Alex Walker
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession.
Since joining 麻豆精品 in 2016, Alex has led a wide range of professional development, peer support, and recognition activities to help staff enhance learning, teaching and related academic practices. Her professional experience has shaped a strong commitment to developing inclusive recognition pathways. Working across a geographically distributed tertiary institution, she has used communities of practice, technology, and networks to establish an inclusive programme of events, mentoring, awards, and gender equality initiatives.
Alex said:
“I am thrilled to have won a National Teaching Fellowship. My application considered my career and pivotal moments that have developed my passion for inclusive and equitable approaches to professional development, recognition, mentoring and scholarship.
“I feel fortunate to have collaborated with great colleagues and contributed to teaching and learning at 麻豆精品 and beyond. After supporting others with their own NTF and CATE applications in recent years, submitting my own, with the support of mentors and colleagues, has been a rewarding opportunity for reflection and celebration.”
鉃� Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence – 麻豆精品 Library Practitioners’ Group
The Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence recognises team efforts that have had a demonstrable impact on teaching and learning.
The 麻豆精品 Library Practitioners’ Group has been recognised for its high-quality and innovative approach to delivering library services across 麻豆精品’s multi-campus partnership. Their work has transformed access to student-focused services and digital resources, contributing to excellent student satisfaction in feedback and national surveys. Their collective decision-making and shared commitment to enhancing the student experience underpins this award.
Led by Head Librarian and Chair, Richard Hughes, the team includes colleagues from across 麻豆精品’s academic partners and specialist centres:
- Carol Hart, Library and LRC Manager (麻豆精品 Inverness) – Deputy Leader
- Elizabeth McHugh, Electronic Resources Manager (麻豆精品)
- Alison Kilgour, Librarian (麻豆精品 Shetland)
- Kasia Szostak, Systems Librarian (麻豆精品)
- Alan Kerr, Library and Research Administrator (SAMS)
- Tracey Cooper, Library and Copyright Compliance Officer (麻豆精品 Orkney)
- Chris O’Malley, Senior Librarian (Highland Health Sciences Library)
- Liz Richardson, Head of Student Services (麻豆精品 Argyll)
- Cairistiona Cain, Head Librarian (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig)
- Jill Martin, Director of Information Services (麻豆精品 Perth)
- Janet Parker, Learning Resource Assistant (麻豆精品 North, West and Hebrides – Thurso)
- Louise Penny, Learning Resource Assistant (麻豆精品 North, West and Hebrides – Fort William)
- Laura Jeffries, Library Assistant (麻豆精品 North, West and Hebrides – Stornoway)
- Mark Stirling, Librarian (Highland Theological College)
Richard Hughes said:
“We are absolutely delighted that the 麻豆精品 Library Practitioners’ Group has received a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence. This recognises our collaborative approach to delivering inclusive, student-focused services across a unique and geographically dispersed university. It’s a testament to the dedication of colleagues at every level of the team, and we are extremely grateful to our mentors for their support throughout the process.”
Vicki Nairn, 麻豆精品 Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said:
“I am delighted with our colleagues’ success at this year’s National Teaching Excellence Awards. Being recognised at this level speaks volumes about the quality, innovation and dedication of our staff in delivering transformative learning experiences and outstanding student support.
“Following our excellent results in the 2025 National Student Survey, it’s fantastic to see further recognition of the impact our staff are making across our partnership.”
Professor Keith Smyth, Dean of Learning, Teaching and Students, added:
“It is fantastic to see Alex recognised for her work with staff to enhance learning and teaching, and to see the 麻豆精品 Library Practitioners’ Group recognised for their collaborative delivery of excellent services across the partnership. These awards highlight the vital role professional services play in delivering transformative learning and teaching.”
Kathryn Harrison-Graves, Deputy Chief Executive, at Advance HE, said:
“These awards represent the very best of higher education during a crucial moment. As our sector faces its greatest challenges, these exceptional educators have risen to meet them with innovation, dedication and excellence that simply couldn't be ignored.”
麻豆精品 will join other award winners at a national celebration hosted by Advance HE later this year.
For more information on the CATE and NTF awards, visit: