Dr K Cohen Tan, who is the former interim Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning at the University of Nottingham Ningbo campus (UNNC) in China, received the award in recognition of the outstanding impact he’s had on student outcomes and the Higher Education teaching profession.
The National Teaching Fellowship scheme is widely recognised as a mark of quality. Previous recipients have been based in the UK, meaning that Dr Tan’s award signals an important widening of the National Teaching Fellowship community.
Commenting on his fellowship, Dr K. Cohen Tan said: “I am humbled to be the first academic to receive this prestigious honour outside of the UK. I am grateful to Advance HE for recognising me as one of the thousands of academics employed at overseas campuses who deliver an authentic British education. In addition to facilitating effective knowledge transfer, these colleagues are also often informal ambassadors of global values and culture, fostering cross-cultural awareness and facilitating dialogue across challenging and, at times, conflicting demands of QA and local contexts.
“I am optimistic that we shall see more colleagues at overseas campuses celebrated for their work in the future, along with the appreciation of their families and loved ones who support their work on a daily basis to make it possible.”
The award tops a long list of recent accolades for the academic who has achieved remarkable results for students over the last few years. In 2020, 41% of his dissertation students achieved distinctions and 53% of his Critical Communications students received offers from the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics and Political Science. As Project Manager for the Tu Haiming Scholarship, Dr Tan has also created many internship opportunities for students. His alumni include a UN General Assembly Youth Representative, a Schwarzman Scholar to Tsinghua University, a China Oxford Scholar to Oxford University and several high-profile newscasters.
Dr Tan has also demonstrated academic leadership and impact through numerous contributions to the Teaching and Learning environment at UNNC. He pioneered and chaired the DANN network – a peer-based advisory body for staff, designed to protect people from harassment, bullying and victimisation.
Karen Hustler, Head of Accreditation and Excellence Awards at Advance HE said: “Advance HE sends our warmest congratulations to Dr Tan. It is very exciting that the University of Nottingham has chosen to nominate one of their staff members at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China in recognition of their teaching excellence.
“Dr Tan’s nomination clearly demonstrates the positive impact of his wide-reaching, interdisciplinary and cross-campus initiatives and the value of his work more widely to the University of Nottingham. We look forward to seeing how Dr Tan’s achievements manifest further now he is the recipient of a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship in 2022.”
Professor Sarah Speight, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education and Student Experience at the University of Nottingham added: “Advance HE's National Teaching Fellowships are significant markers of outstanding achievement in the support of students and the development of teaching. Nottingham has a good track record in the scheme and I am particularly pleased that our 2022 winner is the first National Teaching Fellow for the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Through his leadership roles, Dr Cohen Tan has a big impact upon the experience of students and the development of staff. I would particularly note his establishment of the Dignity Advisors Ningbo Network and his initiatives in support of student employability. It is great to see his effort recognised by this prestigious award.”
The annual National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) is now in its 22nd year and is open to all UK Advance HE Member institutions for the nomination of three staff in recognition of their individual teaching excellence. The scheme is open to both academic and professional service colleagues. Over the years, recipients at the University of Nottingham have come from a range of departments and roles, and collectively their success demonstrates a strong university-wide commitment to teaching innovation and excellence.