Yuljae Cho and Manuel Charlemagne, both faculty members at the UM-SJTU Joint Institute, were awarded with the 2022-2023 Jason Daida Award for Teaching Excellence. Established in 2013 in memory of the late Professor Jason Daida, the award recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional dedication and influence in teaching. Nearly 20 outstanding educators have received this honor over the past decade for their contributions to the institute’s talent development.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Professor Daida’s passing. To commemorate his lasting impact and to encourage more faculty to follow his example by prioritizing student learning and enhancing course quality, the UM-SJTU Joint Institute recently updated the selection process for the award. For the 2022–2023 cycle, candidates were first nominated by students and colleagues, and then invited to submit additional evaluation materials. A total of eight faculty members received nominations, of which five advanced to the final review stage. After a rigorous assessment by a panel of seven internal and external experts, the two recipients were chosen.
About the Award Recipients
Yuljae Cho joined the UM-SJTU Joint Institute in the spring of 2020. He teaches two core courses and one elective in the electrical and computer engineering program, with more than 200 undergraduates enrolling each year. His teaching evaluations consistently rank among the highest at the institute, with scores improving year after year. He also leads an undergraduate research course that gives students early exposure to practical scientific research, helping them build a solid understanding of the research process while igniting their curiosity and passion for discovery.
Manuel Charlemagne has been teaching at the UM-SJTU Joint Institute since the summer of 2013. For several years, he was one of the institute’s few computer science instructors and took on the responsibility of teaching most of the core courses in the field until additional faculty came on board. Known for his engaging and intellectually challenging classes, Charlemagne has earned a strong following among students. His computer science version of “Introduction to Engineering” is especially popular with students. In addition to his technical courses, he also teaches photography, inspiring students to find beauty in everyday moments. He has also taught several mathematics courses and has played an important role in course design and instructional quality improvement.
These two individuals truly embody the passion and dedication that Professor Daida exemplified. They have push boundaries in education and empowered students to think creatively and critically.
