The foundation states this in a press release (in Norwegian)
Each year, the foundation awards a prize for outstanding teaching to educators in the fields of science, medicine, and mathematics within the university and college sector.
This year, a total of six people will receive the prize. Each winner is awarded 500,000 NOK.
“It is a great honour to receive this recognition. The prize acknowledges the work that has been put into providing high-quality teaching,” says Professor Morten Brekke.
He is employed at UiA’s Department of Engineering Science and teaches, among other subjects, mathematics and physics.
Brekke served as Vice-Rector for Education at UiA from 2019 to 2023. During this time, he led work on the strategic area “Learning and Education for the Future,” with a particular focus on developing forward-looking educational leadership.
In 2018, he received the title of Distinguished Teacher, the first at UiA.
Brekke aims to improve student outcomes and therefore emphasises a strong culture and systematic approach to quality work in education.
Continuous development and experimentation
Brekke has been employed at UiA since 1993, teaching both bachelor’s and master’s level courses in mathematics and physics.
He enjoys working on the development and testing of various teaching methods, with the goal of improving the quality of instruction and enhancing students’ learning outcomes.
“A big thank you to my students, who over the years have provided feedback and contributed greatly to my experiments with student-active learning methods, digital resources, and participation in scientific articles,” he says.
Work in MatRIC has been crucial
“Although this is a personal award, it is clearly also a ‘UiA award’. It is the result of the investment we have made in teaching here at the university,” Brekke explains.
He has many people he wants to thank, particularly the leadership who have supported all his projects. He also acknowledges the importance of supportive colleagues who provide constructive feedback.
Brekke has played a central role in MatRIC, a national Centre for Excellence in Education (2014–2024). He emphasises that he would not be where he is today without MatRIC.
“It says something about MatRIC’s impact that I receive the award this year, and Professor Thomas Gjesteland received the same award last year. We have both been deeply involved in MatRIC,” he says.
“That’s why it’s particularly great that the University Board and senior management at UiA continue to prioritise MatRIC’s work through MATRISE,” he adds.
The official award ceremony will take place on 5 March, when Brekke will receive both the cash prize and a physical distinction.