13 Jul 2015: Dr. Simran Kaur, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Geology at Queensborough Community College ("QCC") — a college of The City University of New York, located in Bayside, Queens, New York, USA — has been awarded the Fulbright Academic and Professional Excellence Award (2014-15).
The new Fullbright Scholar will lend her expertise to the faculty and students of Guru Nanak University in Amritsar, Punjab during the 2015-16 academic year.
The prestigious and competitive teaching grant, announced recently by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Board, will begin this August and last for five months.
Simran Kaur will share teaching techniques and positive student learning experiences gained through the course of her career, with educators and students in Punjab, by in-depth informational seminars, interactive workshops and hands-on direct engagement within a classroom setting.
Alumni of Guru Nanak University, Simran explained "Sharing pedagogical findings and helping teaching faculty in Guru Nanak University to realize the advantages of High Impact Practices in teaching, is the drive and motivation behind this effort."
"I have learned a lot and grown professionally since I began teaching at Queensborough," said Simran, who joined the Biological Sciences and Geology department in 2002. "I enjoy teaching here and appreciate the fact that students are involved in meaningful teaching practices and thereby engaged in transformative learning experiences."
She added that the Indian education system faces the overwhelming challenge of educating massive numbers of students who enroll in its universities and colleges and she is looking forward to sharing the science of teaching and learning, contributing to assisting faculty in establishing an engaged institution leading to engaged students.
"My achievements are part of the lessons I have learned as an educator; from teaching experiences here in QCC and from my students who are my best critics and evaluators", said Simran.
She is very grateful to the Queensborough administrators and faculty members who offered their much appreciated support, invaluable guidance, and encouragement throughout the application process.
Simran Kaur is one of approximately 1,100 U.S. faculty members and professionals who will travel abroad through the Fulbriaht U.S. Scholar Program in 2015-2016.