Victoria University’s early childhood teams recognised in awards program

Teams from various aspects of Victoria University’s early childhood offering have been recognised in the Staff Brilliance Awards.

The Staff Brilliance Awards celebrate those who embody aspects of the university’s  Strategic Plan 2022-2028: Start well, finish brilliantly, namely: 

• Doing Dual Differently, 
• Partnering with Principle, 
• Maximising Research with Impact, 
• Protecting Country and 
• A Thriving Place to Study and Work.

VU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said about the recipients: “They are all key contributors – the people who make VU hum. We really value their dedication, their absolute application, and their significant efforts in 2023.”

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching design and pedagogy team were given a learning and teaching excellence award in the ‘Doing Dual Differently’ category, along with Dr Wasantha Liyanage. 

The Diploma in Early Childhood Education Partnership Placement team received a student centric values award in the ‘A Thriving Place to Study and Work’ category, along with The Student Leadership Program.

The final recipient from the early childhood space was The Welcome Conversational AI Assistant for Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education Students (team behind the initiative pictured) which was named in the innovator award category along with Thrive. 

Other winners included: 

Partnering with Principle – Engagement with Impact Award

• Autism Spectrum Australia and VU Flipped Campus Major Alliance 
• V4U Day 2023

Maximising research with impact – Research with Impact Award

• Safety and Wellbeing in Sport team 
• VU Power Sensing (VUPS) Research Group
• Janine Arantes

Protecting Country – Progressive Inclusivity Award

• Pride Network team 
• Heather Marsh

Sustainability Award

• Wyndham Tech School Smart Farm

One VU Award

• Rima Malaki

The VU Sydney Early Childhood Project also received an honourable mention for winning the People’s Choice Award, along with the Maribyrnong Sports Academy Research Centre.