Matthias Mandø is teacher of the year at ENG
: 27.03.2025
Matthias Mandø is teacher of the year at ENG
: 27.03.2025
By Sofie Astrup, AAU Communication and Public Affairs and Marianne Fuglsang Welling Farsinsen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: AAU
"He plays a significant role in renewing and improving the quality of teaching at AAU." This is one of several praising statements from the students' motivation and reason for Associate Professor Matthias Mandø being named Teacher of the Year at ENG.
Matthias Mandø teaches at AAU Energy in Esbjerg, where, according to his students, he integrates practical experiences into his teaching, ensures the relevance of theoretical material and equips them with skills to tackle professional challenges outside the classroom.
Matthias' teaching method promotes collaboration and creates a dynamic learning environment where students feel empowered to explore, ask questions, and challenge themselves. He is a role model and admired for his academic excellence and human qualities — his approachability, patience, and genuine concern for the success of all students. He exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated educator and has a lasting impact both academically and personally on those fortunate enough to learn from him.
The students are the motivation
Matthias Mandø is very pleased with the award as Teacher of the Year at ENG – he is both overwhelmed by all the fine words from the students, as well as the recognition from talented colleagues and the boards of studies also makes an impression:
"It means a lot when it's the people you go up against on a daily basis who want to acknowledge you. I was told that I was going to be Teacher of the Year at ENG when Vice-Dean for Education Olav Geil interrupted a meeting where I participated and brought a large bouquet of flowers. There I was a little speechless. It was a great feeling to be allowed to experience," says Matthias Mandø.
In the teaching, Matthias Mandø makes special use of 'flipped learning', where he has recorded a presentation of the day's topic, which the students must look through in advance. This gives the students a high degree of flexibility – they can pause the video, fast forward or rewind, and thus circle around what they each need.
"By not having to spend time on lectures, I have more time to talk to the students one-on-one or in smaller groups and explain the concepts behind the assignments. A huge advantage is that I can reuse the videos. Even if it takes extra time to prepare videos, you win the time again. It's not like Newton's laws change from year to year," says Matthias Mandø and continues:
"Teaching students is my motivation to go to work. For me, teaching is often a free space where you can relax and enjoy yourself. Some of the students I have taught over the years have gone on to become my colleagues. It gives some motivation to both listen and set a good role model," he concludes.
Matthias Mandø is now a candidate for the title of Teacher of the Year at AAU, which will be announced at AAU's annual celebration on 4 April 2025.