Criteria
The Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student (AETS) awards are open to all students who have a formal teaching role at the University of Waterloo. Up to four awards are given annually in recognition of excellence in teaching of all kinds by registered students (e.g., teaching assistant, laboratory demonstrator, sessional lecturer). The Selection Committee considers intellectual vigour and communication skills in the interpretation and presentation of subject matter. Concern for and sensitivity to the academic need of the students is an important criterion.
Award: Each award consists of:
- Approximately $1,000.00
- A certificate.
Congratulations to the 2025 recipients of the AETS!
- Alexandra Kunert, Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Ali Syed, School of Pharmacy
- Jeremy Cohen, Kinesiology & Health Sciences
- Serena McDiarmid, Psychology
How to nominate a student
To be considered for the award, a nominee must be endorsed by at least five individuals, including present and past students of the nominee, and present and past faculty supervisors of the nominee (a supervisor could be the thesis supervisor or the instructor who worked with the TA). A minimum of three of the individuals endorsing the nominee must be past or present students of the nominee.
If the nomination is endorsed by a group of students from the same class who wish to write a joint nomination form (with or without a separate supporting letter), this would count as one endorsement. For a nomination to be considered, AETS committee needs to receive a minimum of 4 additional completed nomination forms (at least 2 of them from students) in order to meet the 5 letters minimum requirement.
Nominees must be enrolled as students at the University of Waterloo during the term in which the award recipients are selected (Winter 2027).
Deadline: The nomination deadline is Friday, February 5, 2027. Committee deliberations take place in February/March.
Complete this AETS 2027 Nomination Form no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, February 5, 2027.
Selection Committee: Appointed by Senate, membership comprises:
- three undergraduate students
- two graduate students
- two members of Faculty (including the Teaching Resource Person)
- Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (Chair)
Past winners of the Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student.
More information
For more information about this award, call extension 43153 or email cte@uwaterloo.ca.