Nicusor Timneanu Recognised as Distinguished University Teacher
Nicusor Timneanu at the Division of X-ray Photon Science was on May 24, 2023 recognised as distinguished university teacher by the Board of the Faculty of Science and Technology.
To be recognised as distinguished university teacher it is required that the applicant has a permanent employment as a teacher, and the applicant must conduct an interview and during the interview take an educational test.
“It means much to me to have been recognised as distinguished university teacher. I enjoy teaching and have been involved in teaching and pedagogical issues for a long time. I think it is fun to teach and do research at the same time and for me, these two activities are intertwined. I cannot imagine one without the other,” says Nicusor Timneanu.
During pedagogical development interviews, he received advice and encouragement about applying to become a distinguished university teacher already when he was a research assistant and a researcher. So to qualify to first become a senior lecturer he got involved in teaching issues both with students and with colleagues at the faculty.
“I thought it was fun, and in this way I could build up my teaching credentials. When I got my permanent employment as senior lecturer in 2022, I could apply to become a distinguished university teacher, and after further pedagogical development interviews I made my application. It has been incredible good to have mentors and educational leaders around me who have supported and encouraged me,” says Nicusor Timneanu.
Nicusor Timneanu is the tenth distinguished university teacher to be recognised at the Department of Physics and Astronomy and he thinks that more people should apply to become that. He advises that it is good to create an educational portfolio where one collects one’s experiences and thoughts about teaching, which one continuously update, before the application.
“To write an application to become a distinguished university teacher made me reflect a lot on my view of teaching – who am I and how do I want to be as a teacher? I reminds me very much of writing a research application, which gives the opportunity to focus your thoughts and ideas about your own research.”
He also encourages everyone who is interested to take part of the seminars arranged by TUR, the Council for Educational Development at the Faculty of Science and Technology, which he thinks has been a great support on the way for him where he has received good support and feedback.
“And finally, it is about finding your own path and educational vision, being yourself and daring to show it,” says Nicusor Timneanu.
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The Council for Educational Development at the Faculty of Science and Technology (TUR)
Distinguished university teachers at the Department of Physics and Astronomy