Three faculty members from the College of Engineering have recently been recognized for their excellence in the classroom.
Three College of Engineering faculty members have been recognized for their excellence in the classroom.
Pratap Kotala, an assistant professor of practice in the Department of Computer Science, was named the 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award winner.
In his more than 20 years at NDSU, Kotala has taught nearly 30 different undergraduate and graduate courses covering wide areas including computer science, software engineering, cybersecurity, management information systems and health informatics.
Students consistently praise Kotala for creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment and for generously offering his time outside the classroom to mentor students individually.
Colleagues say Kotala exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator through his unwavering dedication, innovative teaching methodologies and profound impact on students.
The 2024 Early Career Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Syeed Iskander.
Iskander, an assistant professor in the Department Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, joined NDSU in 2020. His teaching role includes the creation and instruction of courses in environmental engineering, environmental microbiology, solid and hazardous waste management, and an innovatively designed course titled Plastics Pollution to Solution.
Iskander has worked to improve his teaching and instruction by participating in the peer teaching evaluation program at NDSU. And students say he incorporates a variety of innovative activities to enrich the learning experience and engage them more deeply with the subject matter.
In addition to being honored by the College of Engineering, Iskander received the 2023-24 Peltier Innovation in Teaching Award at NDSU.
The College of Engineering also recognized the role graduate students play in advancing NDSU’s student-focused mission.
Tofatun Jannat, a Ph. D. student in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, was named the Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year after receiving high marks from students for her performance in the classroom. Colleagues say Jannat provides engaging and interactive classroom instruction that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of the course content.
Kotala, Iskander and Jannat were honored at the College of Engineering’s Scholarship and Awards Reception on Sept. 19.
