The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies is delighted to celebrate
Victor D’Avella,
Hiroe Kaji and
Farniyaz Zaker, who have received Awards for Excellence as part of the University of Oxford’s Reward and Recognition Exercise 2026. The Awards for Excellence recognise and reward exceptional individual contributions to the work of the University.
Dr
Victor D’Avella is a Departmental Lecturer in Sanskrit and teaches and researches Sanskrit and the linguistic and literary traditions of South Asia. Dr D'Avella reflects on this achievement, “I am happy to receive this award in recognition of my teaching and scholarship during the past academic year. I believe strongly in continuing Oxford's long tradition of excellence in Sanskrit and Indological studies and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to contribute to our academic community."
Ms
Hiroe Kaji, Lecturer in Japanese Language, teaches Modern Japanese across undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with interests in language pedagogy, classroom practice and the professional development of language teachers.
Dr
Farniyaz Zaker, Lecturer in Persian Studies, combines her academic work with her practice as an artist, with teaching and research spanning Persian Studies, language, art and culture. She said, “I am very honoured and humbled to receive this award. It means a great deal to have my teaching acknowledged in this way by my colleagues and the University."
The Faculty warmly congratulates Victor D’Avella, Hiroe Kaji and Farniyaz Zaker on this well-deserved recognition of their contributions to the University.
