Introduction to Teaching and Learning @ HKU

Introduction to Teaching and Learning @ HKU
Organized by
Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL)

Date: 10 Jan 2012 (Tue)
Time: 9:15am-3:45pm
Venue: Room 321, Run Run Shaw Building

This one-day programme is a foundation programme in teaching and learning at the University of Hong Kong and is designed for teaching staff, regardless of previous teaching experience, who are new to teaching at HKU. The overall aim is to provide new staff with a better understanding of specific issues relating to teaching in Hong Kong and at HKU.

Some of the topics included:

  • HK and HKU education system, e.g. 4-year curriculum reform, including the common core curriculum and experiential learning
  • Students: their demography, culture, expectations and transition to university
  • English as the medium of instruction, policy and implications
  • Teaching related opportunities such as Teaching Development Grants and Teaching Awards
  • Different teaching and learning evaluation in HKU and how to enhance student learning

The ‘Introduction to Teaching and Learning @ HKU’ is a mandatory programme for all new academic and academic-related staff with full-time teaching responsibilities commencing on or after September 1, 2011, and should be taken within the first year of service. Please note there are no exemptions.

Early registration is encouraged as enrolment is limited. For course details and registrations, please refer to the following link: http://www.cetl.hku.hk/itl120110

Should you have any inquiries, please contact Ms. Eva Poon, CETL at 2859 8996 or email evapoon@hku.hk

Employers in the U.S. say college graduates lack job skills

Many U.S. employers believe colleges are not adequately preparing students for jobs, according to findings from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

The group surveyed more than 1,000 employers in various industries in November, 2011 about whether job applicants possess the skills to succeed in the workplace. More than half of the employers said finding qualified applicants is difficult, and just under half thought students should receive specific workplace training rather than a more broad-based education.

According to the survey results, less than 10 percent of employers thought colleges did an “excellent” job of preparing students for work. On all hiring criteria included in the survey, such as adaptability and critical thinking, graduates were performing below employers’ expectations.

[Learn more: http://chronicle.com/article/Employers-Say-College/130013/]

Universities need to work harder to turn UK students into global graduates

There is a globally mobile, graduate workforce and leading employers seek to recruit the very best global graduates.

The report “Global Graduates into Global Leaders” by the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) has identified from leading employers the global competencies which they look for in potential recruits. It is suggested that individuals who are comfortable working in global teams, who take an active interest in the world around them, who have thought about the global challenges and opportunities facing business and are eager to respond to them would catch recruiters’ eyes.

To develop the best global leaders it is crucial that higher education institutions create the right environments and opportunities for young people to develop global competencies and mindset. Institutions should seek to provide a solid grounding for students by actively encouraging students to broaden their horizons and providing transnational programmes or opportunities for extra-curricular pursuits.

[Learn more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education-network/blog/2011/nov/29/universities-uk-students-global-graduates]