Higher Education stakeholders are advocating for professional development among faculty members so as to enhance quality teaching and boost learning excellence.
Speaking at KCA University during the graduation of 120 members of teaching staff who have undergone a 12-week faculty enhancement training, the stakeholders maintained that faculty excellence will help in shaping the future of higher learning.
The workshop was facilitated by the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) in collaboration with the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR).
The training, according to KCA University Vice Chancellor and CEO Prof. Isaiah Wakindiki, focused on the three fundamental pedagogical pillars including course design, facilitation and assessment which are pivotal in advancing the quality of teaching and promoting effective teaching practices such as curriculum design and cultivating a student-centered approach to teaching at the University.
Prof. Wakindiki noted that Professional Development at the university is pivotal in ensuring that faculty members enhance their skills, knowledge and expertise which is crucial for staying up-to-date with the latest advancements and improving their teaching, research, and administrative capabilities.
“As a university, we have a mandate to train employable graduates through market-driven programmes. It is our strategy that we pursue excellence in teaching and delivery. Over the years, we have found out that having qualified educators is a big aspect in quality training,” he said.
The CEO noted that higher learning institutions must assess their teaching, delivery and assessment methods to conform to the hastily evolving technology.
“We have to assess our teaching, delivery and assessment methods because of the dynamics within the university sector and even globally. The society is becoming dynamic in science and technology. We are embracing technology in education to retool and enhance the capacity of our faculty,” he said.
Commission for University Education (CUE) Deputy Secretary Dr. Eunice Marete said that faculty enhancement is pivotal in enhancing teaching and learning in universities.
Marete lauded KCA University for its commitment to faculty excellence and student-centered approach to learning while emphasizing the pivotal role of pedagogical leadership in shaping the future of higher education.
Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) Acting Executive Director Dr. Pauline Ngimwa emphasized the need for institutions of higher learning to collaborate with educational governing bodies to drive educational excellence and foster a culture of growth, improving teaching and research quality, promoting innovation, and ensuring the overall success of both faculty members and their students.
Maj. Rtd Clive Onsomo, a lecturer in the University’s School of Technology, teaching Networks, Cyber Security and Forensics noted that teaching has shifted from teacher-centered to student-centered and hence the need for faculty members to be abreast with the changing technological trends.
“Look at the concept of free-to-classroom, synchronous and asynchronous methods where students and teachers don’t have to meet through online and other methods. They are methods where we engage the learners through digital platforms so that they can learn on their own and share experiences afterwards,” Onsomo said.
By Kamau Njoroge
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