City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has announced the recipients of the Teaching Excellence Award (TEA) for the 2025/26 academic year. Three teachers and one teaching team have been honoured this year for their outstanding achievements, including Professor Maria Babak from the Department of Chemistry under the College of Science (CSCI).

Professor Maria Babak, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, provided students with realistic virtual reality training through innovative technologies. Her “Science Versus Crime” course integrates technology and team-based learning, enabling students to investigate simulated crime scenes, collect forensic evidence, and conduct analyses in groups. The course also incorporates VR to overcome spatial and time constraints, offering a realistic crime-scene environment where students can interact with objects and practise using forensic tools. This immersive simulation enhances their crime-scene investigation skills through hands-on experiential learning.

Professor Babak always encourages students to ask questions and engage actively in class. She makes effective use of interactive teaching platforms and team-based learning to foster engagement, instead of relying on traditional hand-raising methods. This approach has successfully created a relaxed and friendly learning atmosphere, and has significantly improved students’ academic performance and classroom participation.

This article originated from CityUHK News Centre.