Dr Anthony Manning, Dean for Internationalisation at the University of Kent, has been honoured as a new Fellow in the 2021 National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) – the leading teaching award of Higher Education.
During his career, Dr Manning has been focused on establishing impactful opportunities for education, engagement and research through academic development with international partners, employers for higher and degree apprentices and online learning collaborations. Anthony has established numerous educational networks and is a regular host of conferences designed to improve internationalised learning experiences for home and international students.
Dr Manning said:
‘I’m extremely honoured to have been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for my work in international higher education and Lifelong Learning. My NTF has been achieved through numerous amazing collaborations with wonderfully talented students and colleagues across the UK & the world. I’m really looking forward to the exciting new connections and opportunities that I’m sure will now come from joining the NTF Community.
This year the scheme, which has honoured outstanding higher education teaching since 2000, welcomes just 55 new Fellows. The annual awards are presented by Advance HE to celebrate and recognise those nominated by their institution for consistently working to improving experiences for students and deliver outstanding student outcomes.
Those made Fellow are selected by their demonstrations of individual excellence, raising the profile of excellence and developing excellence.
Alison Johns, Chief Executive of Advance HE, said, ‘I am delighted to congratulate the 2021 NTFS on their achievements. This year marks the 1000th National Teaching Fellowship award. Over the years, each and every NTF has made an impact on the sector – both on the students they teach and on their fellow teaching staff who look to them for inspiration and guidance. Well done to each and every awardee on this outstanding achievement.’
Professor Richard Reece, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education and Student Experience at Kent said: ‘It is wonderful to see Anthony honoured by the Higher Education community, following his dedicated years of determined effort and significant success to improving both circumstances and outcomes for international students and lifelong learners. The University is proud to see him made Fellow, and we look forward to many more years of innovation and community collaboration.’
We spoke with Dr Manning to know his thoughts on his Fellowship and what such recognition, and the effort and enthusiasm behind such awards, means for higher education:
What does this award mean to you personally?
I’m excited to be awarded my National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) as it highlights the ongoing importance of international education and lifelong learning for the University and the wider UK sector. I have always been incredibly passionate about creating high-quality and innovative routes to higher education that widen participation, diversify our academic community and link closely to positive learning outcomes and the needs of employers in the UK and the global context. I have been so lucky to work with students, academics and professionals in the UK and worldwide to create learning opportunities, build networks and publish learning resources. This NTF really acknowledges the importance of that work.
Of your initiative and projects, which do you feel had been most successful in improving student outcomes?
Throughout my career, I have been focused on developing high-quality degrees and learning experiences for diverse home and international students. Recently, my work has involved establishing a series of interconnecting initiatives to internationalise the curriculum and raise the profile of the Internationalisation at Home (IaH). My approach to IaH involves introducing home and international students to the benefits of the global community on their doorstep and through technology in a creative and accessible manner; this includes the launch of an international conference, the publication of a book and the creation of a working group through Universities UK. The initiatives that I have worked on have helped me broaden my impact beyond my own institution. Regarding lifelong learning, I’m particularly proud of the great strides we have made in developing and running a diverse portfolio of degree apprenticeships that allows the University of Kent to collaborate with and service the needs of a broad and varied network of employers.
Internationalisation and Lifelong Learning are two hugely important areas for HE, the University of Kent, and yourself. In what ways does this award acknowledge the significance of those fields.
Higher education in the UK is a diverse and interconnecting ecosystem of levels, disciplines and communities. I’m proud that this award shines a light on the important work undertaken by students and colleagues in some of the most innovative and vibrant areas of contemporary academia. I also hope my achievement will encourage students and staff to continue to engage with global and lifelong learning opportunities, which can be so enriching and transformative for individuals and societies.
What can we expect from the University of Kent’s Global and Lifelong Learning activity in the coming future?
We are looking forward to a future that combines the benefits of more face-to-face contact with new digital communication methods that widen access to our international and local networks. This blended approach will be invaluable to develop our connections with global education and research partners and to connect us with employers and work-based learners.
The NTFS is the leading teaching award of Higher Education.