Dr Sandhya Clement, Lecturer, School of Biomedical Engineering
Growing up in a village in Kerala, in southern India, Dr Sandhya Clement completed her schooling by candlelight and kerosene lamps. The electric bulbs she saw in textbooks and during visits to relatives in town sparked an interest in engineering.
She became the first woman from her village to study engineering. She is now teaching at the University of Sydney and doing research to enhance female participation in the field.
Dr Clement is one of a new wave of education-focused academics working to transform teaching at the University of Sydney. The Sydney Horizon Educators program, launched earlier this year, will see the University advertise for more than 200 specialist educators by 2026. More than 60 of these educators have already started work, with approximately 50 more roles currently advertised across a range of disciplines in the latest recruitment drive.
"At a time of change, as the University considers the possible impacts of the government's proposed reduction in international students from next year, our commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience remains unwavering," said the University's Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Annamarie Jagose. "Our focus on teaching excellence and innovation will ensure every student has a transformative educational experience that prepares them for the future."
For Dr Clement, support from her teachers was essential as she strove to succeed in engineering. "It was a challenge being one of the few female students, but it taught me resilience and the importance of staying committed to your goals", she said.
As a teacher in the Faculty of Engineering, her approach is empathetic - nurturing her students' technical and soft skills. She designs assessments that bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs, equipping students to meet professional demands.
Dr Clement recalls a conversation with one of her students, who approached her to discuss his growing interest in research, sparked by the content and passion she brought to the subject. With her support, he expanded his assignment into a research paper, which they successfully published. This led to his acceptance into a PhD program with a prestigious scholarship.
"This experience made me realise that teaching and sharing knowledge can be powerful in shaping a student's future and opening the doors for them to embark on new opportunities," she said. "I have now implemented a program in Biomedical Engineering, connecting senior students with students from a first-year unit to deepen the first-year students' insight into the degree and develop the senior students' leadership skills."
She is also conducting research in education, exploring strategies to improve student engagement and encourage more female students to pursue engineering studies.
Dr Clement with her students in the laboratory
The Sydney Horizon Educators scheme provides access to grants of up to $30,000 to support education-focused research and professional development. In addition, all teaching staff at the University can apply for Strategic Education Grants of up to $200,000 a year for two years to work in collaborative groups to improve student engagement and outcomes.
Dr Emma Thompson, a Senior Lecturer in Animal Science and Wildlife Conservation with the Faculty of Science, was part of the first wave of Horizon Educators. "I love inspiring and motivating students to learn while still using my disciplinary knowledge," she said. "I have found that being passionate about what you are teaching while making classes interactive with open discussions really helps engage students."
The Sydney Horizon Educators initiative complements the Sydney Horizon Fellowship scheme, which has seen the University appoint 40 early- and mid-career researchers across a range of disciplines. Together, the Horizon recruitment programs will help the University deliver transformational, student-focused education, and research that tackles the world's great challenges.
Sydney Horizon Educators receive:
- A continuing education-focused role
- Australia's most generous academic salaries ($105,314-$233,367)
- Generous benefits, including up to 36 weeks paid parental leave, 17 percent superannuation and flexible hours
- Access to up to $30,000 to support education-related activities, including education-related research and education-related professional development and learning
