NTFS 2025 Winners

Dr Freeha Azmat

Associate Professor - Reader, Warwick Manufacturing Group

Dr. Freeha Azmat is a Reader in Engineering Education at WMG, University of Warwick, and a sector-leading innovator in engineering education. She has consistently challenged systemic barriers, rising from a Merit Scholar in Pakistan’s male-dominated engineering field to a Chancellor’s International Scholar at University of Warwick and educational leader in the UK. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to inclusion, equity, and transformative pedagogy.

With over 15 years of experience, she has pioneered the integration of authentic learning into engineering curricula, developing industry-aligned programmes such as the Degree Apprenticeships in Engineering and Digital Technologies domain enrolling 250+ students annually, generating £31M in tuition revenue since 2019. These programmes are co-designed in collaboration with major employers including Jaguar Land Rover, Dyson, Thales, and Goldman Sachs, significantly reducing the engineering and technology skills gap in UK.

Her impact spans curriculum design, policy influence, and strategic leadership. She has led over £400K in externally funded projects, embedding work-based learning and digital pedagogies into institutional frameworks. As a recognised thought leader, she has shared her expertise through keynote across UK universities and contributions to national policy via Policy Connect.

Internationally, she has directed major capacity-building projects in Pakistan, South Africa, Colombia, and the UAE, promoting authentic learning and enhancing access for underserved communities. Her mentoring has empowered colleagues across global institutions, and she has led cross-functional teams to secure prestigious accreditations, raise academic standards, and enhance digital infrastructure.

As a mentor and EDI advocate, she champions initiatives such as the Improving access and participation to engineering research (IAPER) internship programme and the Youth Support Programme (YSP), creating vital pathways for women and underrepresented students in STEM. Her work has been recognised through awards including the WMG Star Award, Warwick Enhanced Contribution Awards, Asian Woman of Achievement Award and selection to high-level institutional leadership programmes.

Through educational innovation, policy impact, and international collaboration, Dr. Azmat exemplifies transformative leadership in higher education

Dr Jennie Mills

Associate Professor, Academic Development Centre

Jennie Mills is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Warwick's Academic Development Centre. Her teaching and research focus on transforming higher education through innovative pedagogies that challenge conventional academic practice. Jennie has a background in English Literature and critical theory, which she applies to create new methodologies for educational development. Her work centres on "constructive disruption" – using creative approaches including LEGO SERIOUS PLAY®, arts-based methods, and storytelling to help educators reimagine their practice. She established the Academic and Professional Pathway for Teaching Excellence (APPTE), which has supported over 380 colleagues to gain Fellowship since 2016 through its distinctive approach to reflective practice and professional development.

She is a pioneer in AI-enhanced education, co-developing 'The AI Revolution' module – Warwick's first to integrate AI as a pedagogical partner. She leads institutional AI development through staff bootcamps and knowledge-sharing events, positioning Warwick at the forefront of ethical AI integration in higher education.

Dr Mills said:

"This recognition celebrates an approach to education that values both rigour and imagination. I'm passionate about creating spaces where educators can question assumptions, take creative risks, and discover new possibilities. What I'm most proud of is fostering communities where we explore better questions together - whether using LEGO to envision AI futures or poetry to reflect on teaching practice, the goal is always to suspend conventional thinking just long enough for curiosity and transformation to take hold."