Introduction to PROFESSIONAL Development

The professional training and development of faculty is a priority at the Republic Polytechnic. The Centre for Educational Development runs rigorous programmes throughout the year to support faculty in achieving success in their academic roles as facilitators, problem designers and academic leaders. We interact with staff from all faculties through consultancies, seminars, workshops and customised programmes to share best practices in teaching and learning as well as emerging educational trends and research. Our centre also organises a yearly in-house Learning Retreat for staff to reflect on and engage in specific learning issues. The centre also organises a bi-annual International PBL Symposium to create more opportunities for academic networking and research.

The centre supports new staff in their transition to a problem-based learning environment through our PBL Foundation Introduction course and supports current staff in their development of key competencies in the areas of facilitation, problem-crafting and educational research through core and elective PBL Development programmes. In April 2009, a professional development roadmap for our full-time and adjunct staff was launched to meet the professional needs of academic staff at different stages of their career.

The centre also oversees two certificate programmes in our commitment to developing staff as reflective professionals – the Certificate in Facilitation and Certificate in Problem-Crafting. Academic staff members are invited to prepare a teaching or curriculum portfolio to showcase their personal and professional progress and milestones during their time in the polytechnic. Certified staff members are given the opportunity to pursue continuing education programmes such as ACTA and PGDHE and become specialists in their fields.

The best teacher is one who is also always learning and sharing.