Akbar receives 2023 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching
Professor Sheikh Akbar was awarded for his teaching excellence during a surprise presentation by representatives of the Office of Academic Affairs, The Ohio State Alumni Association, and the Office of Academic Affairs.
MATSCEN 2251 had merely started on Friday morning when Professor Akbar and the 64 students in his thermodynamics class were interrupted by a contingent of faculty, staff, administrators, and invited guests who gathered to honor his legacy of service. Unexpected visitors included Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Patrick Louchouarn, Chief of Strategy and Belonging Tina Pierce, College of Engineering Chief of Staff Derrick L. Tillman-Kelly, and Associate Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering Wei Zhang. Dr. Akbar's wife, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren were also in attendance.
Students, faculty, and alumni nominate faculty members for their teaching excellence. The winner is selected by students, former recipients and alumni. Senior Vice Provost Louchouarn stated during the presentation that Professor Akbar had among the highest number of nominations in the history of the award.
Professor Akbar will receive a $5,000 honorarium thanks to the generosity of the Alumni Association, University Advancement, and the Office of Academic Affairs. The award also includes a salary increase and an induction into the Academy of Teaching. Akbar will also be honored during a home football game in autumn 2023.
Professor Akbar has been a professor at Ohio State University for 35 years. His specialties are solid state physics with a concentration in synthesis-microstructure-property relations of ceramic bulk, thin-film and nano-heterostructures for electrochemical devices (sensors and fuel cells) and biomedical applications.
