Edo State University Uzairue has taken a significant step towards enhancing its educational standards by hosting a two-day capacity training workshop focused on modern teaching techniques for its academic staff.
The workshop commenced on Tuesday at the prestigious Aliko Dangote Auditorium, drawing attention to the necessity of continuous professional development in education.
During the opening ceremony, the acting vice chancellor, Prof. Dawood Egbefo, underscored the importance of academic staff embracing new teaching methodologies to foster academic growth. He emphasized that “no amount of time spent in colleges or universities will be enough to complete the preparation for a teacher for classroom tasks,” advocating for the continuous training and retraining of educators to equip them with essential knowledge for 21st-century teaching.
Prof. Egbefo further highlighted the workshop’s objective of laying a robust foundation for the upcoming academic session, stating, “As we set necessary machinery in motion for an effective takeoff of this academic session, it is therefore expected of us to discharge our professional responsibility to meet the challenges in academic and research development.”
The training featured insightful presentations from several esteemed speakers. Guest speaker, Prof. Patrick Oviasuyi, addressed the topic of Work Ethics in the University Environment for Academic Staff, defining work ethics as the morals and norms observed in workplaces, which he deemed crucial for institutional development.
In his presentation titled Techniques for Improving Performance of Academic Staff, Dr. Orhare Osumah emphasized the critical role of academic staff performance in achieving the university’s core objectives. He outlined various techniques to enhance performance, including “investment in staff training; development mentorship and coaching; creating an enabling environment; setting clear goals and expectations; analysis of critical incidents and provision of regular feedback; recognition and reward; and opportunity for growth and development.”
Additionally, Dr. Ayodeji Makinde, the Director of ICT at the institution, spoke on the significance of Teaching Aids in an Academic Environment. He remarked that teaching aids “provide learners with more clarity about the context that they are being taught,” enhancing the learning environment and bridging the gap between teachers and students.
Earlier, the Director of Professional Training and Development, Dr. Anthony Iyoha, articulated the training’s goal of empowering academic staff with essential teaching skills necessary for a world-class institution. He encouraged participants, stating, “The knowledge and experience you will acquire from this exercise will in no small measure assist you to impact our students positively,” urging them to “listen attentively to the speakers for you to gain knowledge at the end.”
This workshop marks a pivotal effort by Edo State University to ensure its faculty is well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of education, ultimately enriching the learning experience for its students.
