The University of Waterloo Amit & Meena Chakma Award 2027 recognizes outstanding student teaching with up to four awards worth approximately $1,000 each.
The Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student (AETS) at the University of Waterloo recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in teaching while serving in formal teaching roles at the university.
Up to four awards are presented annually, with each recipient receiving approximately $1,000 and a certificate.
AETS Award 2027 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Award | Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student |
| Institution | University of Waterloo |
| Award value | Approximately $1,000 |
| Number of awards | Up to 4 |
| Eligible nominees | University of Waterloo students with formal teaching roles |
| Selection term | Winter 2027 |
| Nomination deadline | February 5, 2027 at 4:30 PM |
| Selection period | February/March 2027 |
Who Can Be Nominated?
The award is open to students who have a formal teaching role at the University of Waterloo.
Examples given by the university include:
- Teaching assistants
- Laboratory demonstrators
- Sessional lecturers
Nominees must remain enrolled as University of Waterloo students during Winter 2027, when the award recipients are selected.
What Does the Award Recognize?
The Selection Committee considers excellence in teaching, including:
- Intellectual vigour
- Communication skills
- Interpretation and presentation of subject matter
- Concern for students’ academic needs
- Sensitivity to students’ academic needs
The award recognizes teaching of different kinds carried out by registered University of Waterloo students.
Award Value
Each recipient receives:
- Approximately $1,000
- A certificate
Up to four awards are presented annually.
How to Nominate a Student
A nominee must be endorsed by at least five individuals.
The endorsers must include present or past:
- Students of the nominee
- Faculty supervisors of the nominee
At least three endorsers must be present or past students of the nominee.
A supervisor may be a thesis supervisor or an instructor who worked with the teaching assistant.
Joint Student Nominations
Students from the same class may submit a joint nomination form.
However, a joint nomination counts as one endorsement. The committee must still receive at least four additional completed nomination forms, with at least two coming from students, to reach the required five endorsements.
Nomination Deadline
The nomination deadline is:
Friday, February 5, 2027 at 4:30 PM.
Committee deliberations will take place during February and March 2027.
Nominees must be enrolled at the University of Waterloo during Winter 2027.
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee is appointed by Senate and includes:
- Three undergraduate students
- Two graduate students
- Two faculty members
- Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, who serves as Chair
- Past winners of the Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student
2026 AETS Recipients
The University of Waterloo lists four recipients of the 2026 award:
- Alexa Bennett — Geography and Environmental Management
- Amy Tai — Computer Science
- Jeffrey Lee — Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
- Nijani Nagaarudkumaran — School of Optometry – Vision Sciences
How to Nominate
Nominations must be submitted through the official AETS 2027 Nomination Form by the February 5, 2027 deadline.
University of Waterloo Centre for Teaching Excellence
FAQs
Who is eligible for the AETS Award?
The award is for University of Waterloo students who have a formal teaching role, such as teaching assistants, laboratory demonstrators or sessional lecturers.
How much is the award worth?
Each award consists of approximately $1,000 and a certificate.
How many students receive the award?
Up to four awards are given each year.
How many endorsements are required?
At least five individuals must endorse a nominee.
How many endorsers must be students?
At least three of the five endorsers must be present or past students of the nominee.
Can students submit a joint nomination?
Yes. However, a joint nomination from students in the same class counts as one endorsement, so additional completed nomination forms are still required.
When is the 2027 nomination deadline?
The deadline is February 5, 2027 at 4:30 PM.
Must the nominee still be a Waterloo student?
Yes. Nominees must be enrolled at the University of Waterloo during Winter 2027, when recipients are selected.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The AETS Award provides a recognition and financial award for University of Waterloo students who demonstrate excellence in formal teaching roles. The nomination process is particularly important because eligible nominees must receive multiple endorsements, including endorsements from students.
Students and faculty supporting a nomination should therefore begin coordinating their endorsement forms well before the February 5 deadline.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed is sharing this award information for educational purposes. We are not affiliated with the University of Waterloo and do not manage or select AETS award recipients.
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