Category: Staff

In collaboration with the Student Affairs Office (SAO), the Teaching and Learning Enhancement (TLE) Section of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) organised a cultural sensitivity training session on 8 January 2025.

This training, facilitated by representatives from WEDO Global, offered an interactive and engaging experience, helping participants deepen their  understanding of the challenges faced by ethnic minority (EM) students within our community.

Through a series of collaborative activities and real-life case sharing, participants gained valuable insights into fostering a more inclusive and respectful environment. They acquired essential knowledge about navigating cultural complexities, including effective cross-cultural communication strategies and practical dos and don’ts for creating inclusive workplaces and learning environments. These strategies not only promote understanding but also help to bridge gaps between diverse groups.

This training marked a meaningful step towards building a university culture that values diversity and inclusion. By equipping participants with strategies to engage more effectively across differences, the training laid the foundation for a more supportive and harmonious campus community.

 As we move forward, let us strive to create a welcoming campus that celebrates diversity, enriches shared experiences, and fosters a true sense of belonging for everyone.

As the new semester began, the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Section introduced a series of seminars aimed at inviting our colleagues to rethink traditional assessment methods. The “Authentic Assessment: Global Perspectives” series brought together insights from two distinguished international scholars, offering fresh perspectives on authentic assessment practices.

The series commenced on 12 September 2024 with Dr Elaine Huber, Associate Professor from the University of Sydney Business School. Dr Huber, an expert in co-design, evaluation, and online assessment, presented two significant projects related to authentic assessment, and outlined a comprehensive framework for quality online assessment in business education that has been validated by students, educational policymakers and industry representatives. Dr Huber also discussed her team’s work on developing and integrating educational design principles for large-scale, connected learning, with a particular focus on embedding authentic assessment practices.  

The final seminar, held on 26 September 2024, featured Professor Jan McArthur, Professor of Higher Education and Social Justice at Lancaster University.  Professor McArthur’s presentation examined the philosophical underpinnings of assessment in higher education, particularly the concepts of “authenticity” and “artificiality”. She encouraged participants to critically reflect on the purpose of assessment, stressing the importance of understanding why we assess in order to make informed and meaningful choices. Professor McArthur also explored the potential role of generative AI (Gen-AI) in assessment, emphasising the need to thoughtfully integrate AI in ways that enhance learning and promote socially responsible graduates.

Together, these two seminars attracted over 40 participants, who engaged in productive discussions with both speakers during the question-and-answer sessions. The series provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of assessment in higher education, encouraging educators to adopt more authentic and impactful assessment practices.