Qatar University Teaching in Higher Education Fellowship (QUTF)
Two faculty members Dr. Banan Mukhalalati, Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Department, and Dr. Sownd Sankaralingam, Associate Professor in Clinical Pharmacy and Practice Department, from the College of Pharmacy successfully graduated from the first cohort of the Qatar University Teaching in Higher Education Fellowship (QUTF) program in Spring 2024. They received a certificate endorsed by the Harvard Graduate School of Education at an event held on 5th September 2024 at Qatar University.
The QUTF is a professional development program jointly offered by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at Qatar University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) at Harvard University. The program was introduced to recognize education as one of the important pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Qatar University's Strategic Plan. The fellowship is designed to enhance the ability of QU faculty members to apply and integrate effective principles of teaching and learning in higher education. Importantly, the program offers courses that are in alignment with QU educational excellence themes.
The program was held over two semesters starting from Fall 2023 until Spring 2024. It consisted of courses offered by both the HGSE and the CETL.
The HGSE offered three courses as listed below.
- Teaching students to ask their own questions: Best practices in the Question Formulation Technique
- How we argue: Strategies for disagreeing with empathy and evidence
- Teachers mentoring teachers: Practices for powerful professional communities
- The Online Classroom: Strategies for Higher Ed Teaching and Learning
The CETL offered courses in two phases as part of the Education Excellence Program EEP – Stage 1.
The first phase included mandatory units related to Learner Centric and Digitally Enriched topics. As part of the second phase which included electives, participants chose one of the following themes a) Experiential Education, b) Research Informed Education, or c) Entrepreneurial Education. Another module on Assessment for learning and effective feedback was also offered.
Dr. Banan says, “"Participating in the Qatar University Teaching in Higher Education Fellowship has been a transformative experience for me as an educator. The courses provided valuable insights into innovative teaching strategies and learner-centered methodologies. I am now more equipped to foster an engaging and effective learning environment for my students, aligning with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. This opportunity not only deepened my understanding of teaching but also connected me with a community of passionate educators committed to excellence in higher education."
Dr. Sownd says, “the QUTF is an excellent professional development program for dedicated and highly motivated faculty members who are open to implementing new and effective teaching strategies. I particularly enjoyed learning the module on “Assessment for learning and effective feedback". Participating in this program gave me an opportunity to learn proven strategies in teaching and learning in higher education. It also allowed me to discuss with like-minded teachers from around the world. I am looking forward to implementing these strategies in my teaching".
The graduates thank the College of Pharmacy and the Qatar University for the support and opportunity to participate in this fellowship program.