The REFOREST Programme organized a combined face-to face and zoom workshop from 20th to 22nd January 2021 to orientate resource persons involved in teaching the PhD courses during the first semester (January-June 2021). The 25 participants came from all the six partner universities in the REFOREST Programme. The opening session was graced by university leaders at both SUA and SLU.
The workshop objectives were to initiate contacts among lecturers teaching each subject so they could familiarize with the REFOREST programme, elaborate the course contents given in the PhD curriculum, agree on how to share the teaching load, understand and apply the rules and regulations for PhD studies at SUA (academic as well as administrative processes) and establish communication protocols among them. The participants were also familiarised with the operational terms and conditions (including compensation) for all academic staff involved in teaching and learning under the REFOREST programme. Further, the workshop helped to establish communication and rapport among these key implementers of the REFOREST programme.
The diversity of expertise and experiences was an enriching aspect of the workshop. This was effectively applied in the elaboration of the course contents for each of the six courses planned for the first semester (January to June 2021). For each course, the resource persons involved were able to discuss subject matter contents, elaborate the delivery mechanisms (lectures, practicum, seminars/tutorials, and assignments) and allocated time for each of these. They also elaborated the main sources of learning materials. There was a general agreement that new and up-to-date learning materials would be needed, thus access to advanced libraries for both students and resource persons was recommended. The REFOREST programme was advised to buy key textbooks as recommended by the teams working on each subject.
Regarding the teaching and learning processes at PhD level the participants were reminded that the goal is to develop a cadre of scientists with competence for discovery and innovation. Thus, the following approaches should be applied with decreasing emphasis:
i) Inclusive approach – The educator develops a learning plan and the students apply it to reach the desired state of knowledge;
ii) Pear reciprocal approach – students are organized in groups and enjoy mutual feedback at individual and at class level;
iii) Practice approach – the educator assigns work that is carried out independently by the students; and
iv) Command approach – the educator as the main source of knowledge, lecturing to students.
Overall, a heuristic approach to teaching and learning, and deepening of knowledge were emphasized. In this way, we will produce a mass of critical thinkers with capacity to invent and innovate. Workshop participants recognized the students’ diverse backgrounds and agreed on the need to tap into this during group discussions to facilitate learning from one another.
The participants concluded that the workshop was effective and instrumental in enabling a good understanding of the REFOREST programme and enabling them to play their roles in implementing it. A similar workshop is planned for all resource persons who will be involved in the teaching and learning processes during the second semester (July- December 2021).
Listening to colleagues on zoom
Issued by REFOREST Programme Coordinator
