An irrepressible passion for their discipline, a genuine enthusiasm to impart knowledge and the desire to make a difference are three of the standout qualities shared by six academics who have been honoured with awards for their teaching efforts.

National Excellence in Teaching and Learning Awards

Each year, the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA), in collaboration with the Council on Higher Education, recognises up to five academics with National Excellence in Teaching and Learning Awards. This year UCT is proud to have scooped two:

• Dr Ian-Malcolm Rijsdijk from the Centre for Film and Media Studiesloves changing not only the way people see film, but also the way they see the world. Read more.
• Assoc Prof June Pym, director of the Faculty of Commerce's Education Development Unit (EDU), believe it's critical not just to create a dynamic learning environment for students, but also a send of belonging. Read more.

2014 Distinguished Teachers Awards

The university honours up to four exceptional teachers annually.

• Dr Linda Ronnie from the Graduate School of Business goes to all her classes expecting to learn something. Read more.
• Prof Delawir Kahn, head of the Department of Surgery, believes you can't teach students to be good doctors; instead, you have to be a good doctor, and in that way, influence what they become. Read more.
• Assoc Prof James Gain, deputy head of the Department of Computer Science, considers himself part of a chain – of knowledge building on knowledge across thousands of years - linking him from those who taught and mentored him to his students. Read more.
• Dr Spencer Wheaton from the Department of Physics is boyishly excited by his discipline, and believes that this enthusiasm in infectious, helping spark students' interest and motivating them to work harder. Read more.

Secrets of success: We asked previous winners of the Distinguished Teachers Award about the secret to their success: what makes a teacher great? Read more.

Story by Alma Viviers. Photos by Michael Hammond and Je'nine May.

Read more stories from the December 2014 edition.