The ‘Silesian Teaching Award’ Competition

– competition
for leaders in education

The Silesian Teaching Award is a unique distinction, representing the highest recognition for an individual or group demonstrating teaching excellence and an innovative approach to education. It is a prestigious mark of quality that promotes teachers’ commitment to the development of academic teaching, as well as to the implementation of creative teaching methods and educational solutions. The award forms part of the integration of the seven Silesian universities co-organising the International Congress on Education Quality (ICEQ).

The Silesian Teaching Award honours the most creative teaching initiatives implemented over the past two years that have a tangible impact on the quality of education. The process of selecting the winners is one of the elements that underlines the elite nature of the award – each partner university retains full autonomy in nominating its candidates for the Award, using its own internal evaluation systems.

Information about the ‘Silesian Teaching Award’ Competition

 

1. Organiser and Purpose of the Competition

a) The Competition is organised by the universities co-organising the International Congress on Education Quality (ICEQ): University of Silesia in Katowice, University of Economics in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Silesian University of Technology, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, and Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice.

b) The main goal of the Competition is to formally recognise teaching excellence and promote inclusiveness, sustainable development, and inter-university cooperation in education.

c) The Competition aims in particular to:

  • Reward academic staff who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the teaching process.
  • Promote innovation by supporting creative teaching methods and solutions.
  • Build a teaching community and strengthen cooperation between the universities co-organising the International Congress on Education Quality (ICEQ).

 

2. Competition Participants

  • The Competition is open to academic teachers and teams implementing teaching initiatives at the following universities: University of Silesia in Katowice, University of Economics in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Silesian University of Technology, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, and Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Katowice.
  • Entries may be submitted for specific teaching initiatives implemented in the two years preceding the given edition of the Competition.

 

3. Selection Procedure and University Autonomy

  • Principle of autonomy: Each university co-organising ICEQ retains full autonomy in selecting the award recipients and initiatives.
  • Internal procedures: Each university selects the winners using its own evaluation systems, including periodic performance reviews, teaching portfolios, and internal competitions.
  • Transparency: Each university is responsible for ensuring a fair and transparent selection process, tailored to its specific needs.
  • When selecting laureates, it is important to consider the following criteria in particular: teaching experience, professional development, implementation of innovative practices, positive feedback from students, collaboration in teaching, and alignment with the university’s mission and development strategy.

 

4. Awards and Distinctions

  • Selected winners receive certificates confirming receipt of the Silesian Teaching Award, signed by the organisers.
  • The achievements of the winners are presented internationally during the International Congress on Education Quality (ICEQ).
  • Universities are encouraged to additionally recognise the winners through their internal communication channels and implement other mechanisms for recognising the distinguished individuals, including financial rewards.

 

5. Final Provisions

  • Any changes to this document require the joint consent of all Organisers (universities co-organising ICEQ) and must be made in writing to be valid.
  • With respect to the processing of the personal data of Competition participants, each university acts as an independent data controller and is obligated to apply its own internal procedures in accordance with the provisions of the GDPR.
  • Due to the principle of university autonomy in the selection process of the laureates, all appeal procedures and the resolution of disputes regarding nominations are based on the internal legal acts and regulations in force at the given university.
  • In matters not covered by this document, decisions will be made by the Organisers by agreement, guided by the purpose of the Competition and the mission of promoting teaching excellence.