Three CDE educators have been named to the Honour Roll at the 2026 NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Awards (ATEA). Assoc Prof Adrian Chong Zhun Min(opens in new tab), Assoc Prof Du Hongjian(opens in new tab) and Assoc Prof Khoo Eng Tat(opens in new tab) earned the distinction after each receiving the ATEA three times, recognising their sustained commitment to teaching and students’ learning.
For Assoc Prof Chong (Department of the Built Environment(opens in new tab)), teaching is about developing independent, self-directed learners. “I try to give them sufficient structure and support while allowing them to take ownership of the questions they ask and the decisions they make. Ultimately, I hope they develop not only technical knowledge, but also the ability to continue learning as the field evolves.”
Assoc Prof Du (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering(opens in new tab)) makes engineering education authentic and challenging by connecting classroom learning with real-world problems. “I aim to create a learning environment where students actively engage with concepts, apply them to real-life problems and reflect on their decisions.”
Assoc Prof Khoo, Asst Dean (Research & Technology), who holds a joint appointment at the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre(opens in new tab) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering(opens in new tab), said that teaching is also about building a community of future innovators and entrepreneurs. “I guide them to see the bigger picture, size up problems, collaborate across disciplines, and build products that shape a better future. Watching this community grow is what drives me, and this recognition is as much theirs as mine.”
The ATEA recognises achievements across teaching, educational design, assessment and feedback, as well as leadership in advancing good teaching practices and technology-enhanced learning. Faculty members who have received the ATEA or Annual Digital Education Award three times are placed on the Honour Roll.
Read more about other CDE educators recognised at ATEA 2026 here(opens in new tab).
