High Flying Professor does it again

A University of Teesside computer lecturer is celebrating after winning his second major teaching award of the year.

Just six months after receiving a National Teaching Fellowship Award, Professor Alan Clements has been awarded the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Computer Science & Engineering Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Alan, 53, from Acklam in Middlesbrough, is the first non-US citizen to win the award. He was recognised for his teaching excellence which has heavily influenced the field of computer architecture education and for his leadership in the IEEE International Design Competition.

Alan, who has taught at the University for 25 years, said: “I was amazed to hear I had won the award and after I calmed down a bit, my wife and I made our plans to go to Boston to attend the awards banquet. It was a great night and made winning the award even more special.

“I’m very involved in the IEEE and this year I am co-ordinating its International Design Competition which encourages students from all over the world to design and implement computer-based solutions to real-world problems. So far we have more than 140 teams from more than 26 countries and secured £1.5m in sponsorship from Microsoft, so I am very pleased with our progress.”

Professor Clements received a plaque and $2,000 from the IEEE. Known as Teesside’s flying professor because of his fondness for piloting light aircraft, Alan is a specialist in computer hardware. He is also a best selling computer author with Oxford University Press.

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