AE-FUNAI TO ESTABLISH CENTRE FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
In a bid to make Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi state, a global-minded and forward-looking institution where lecturers and students are properly honed to meet the demands of 21st century education system, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba has promised to establish a Centre for Teaching and Learning in the University.
Professor Nwajiuba made this known recently during the 3rd convocation lecture of the University. While responding to some of the salient issues raised in the lecture which was delivered by the Executive Secretary, African Capacity Building Foundation, Harare, Zimbabwe, Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie themed: ”Fulfilling Education’s Promise in Africa: The Role of University” , he noted that teaching and learning is a two- way process where students learn from lecturers and vice versa, adding that a proposal for the establishment of the Centre for teaching and learning would be sent to the University Senate for approval.
Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba speaking at the event
Speaking further, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the Centre which should come on stream before the end of the 1st quarter of 2019 would be geared towards achieving some noble objectives which include; supporting AE-FUNAI staff with opportunities for continuing professional development and building internal capacity on mentoring and peer review; offering advice on matters pertaining to the areas of curriculum development and curriculum innovation, promoting and supporting quality teaching, to support evidence- based, innovative and sustainable strategic program enhancement initiatives. Other objectives of the Centre according to him also entail contributing to AE-FUNAI’s research agenda by encouraging staff research initiatives to enhance teaching and learning and engaging with international institutions to give AE-FUNAI curriculum and international perspective on innovative pedagogies to improve staff teaching and enhance students’ experience.
L-R: Chairman of the 3rd Convocation Lecture Ozo Prof. Chiweyite Ejike Ejike, Rep. of the Visitor, Bar. Victor Onuoha, VC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba and Convocation Lecturer, Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie at the event
The Vice-Chancellor further maintained that though lecturers were undoubtedly experts in their various fields, nevertheless the vast majority of them, especially those in the physical science and business fields, lack effective teaching skills, hence the imperativeness of establishing the Centre to bridge the gap. He stressed that attention should be paid to pedagogy where lecturers are trained to be experts in the theory and practice of teaching, learning and assessment. He stated that when this is done, the University would be able to produce world-class students that are globally-competitive.
The Centre will have the responsibilities of specifically providing workshops and courses on all areas of academic practice; providing support services to lecturers and students in study and earning skills and peer tutorial programmes; initiating of new and innovative techniques to facilitate teaching and learning and retraining of staff to master adequate teaching and learning skills.
To access the 3rd Convocation lecture, please log on to www. funai.edu.ng/research/funai seminar series