The Network of Quality, Teaching and Learning (QTL_ net) is proud to share the highlights and success of the 3rd biennial Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference (SoTLC). By setting an outstanding programme that showcased the tremendous talent and dedication of faculty, staff, and students from AKU and other HEIs around the world, the conference strove to build an institutional culture of research and scholarship around teaching and learning in AKU as well as the Global South. It was a
record year for the SoTLC, held in Karachi from November 27th -28th with 477 participants coming together physically and digitally across AKU’s global campuses.
The conference was rigorous and invigorating, with 95 abstracts out of 151 accepted and united around the theme of “Evidencing Teaching and Learning in Higher Education”. This larger theme sprouted into 4 sub themes having to do with collaboration, innovation, quality, and the student experience. Over the two days’ presenters and participants engaged their minds in a variety of ways.
Conference chair Azra Naseem proudly noted that “This year’s conference allowed for submissions in several creative categories along with traditional paper presentations. With two keynote talks, three pre-conference workshops, AKU Students’ Voice, PechaKucha, e-Posters, creative expressions, active learning sessions and a Qawwali evening the conference provides rich and varied opportunities for learning and sharing.”
The 2019 SoTLC made sure to emphasize student engagement as presenters, volunteers, and participants. “Students are at the forefront of teaching and learning practices,” said Sarwat Barkatali, a final year nursing student, “so students are the best choice from whom we can get feedback from in order to strengthen and enhance our education.”
SoTLC also saw much of AKU’s leadership connecting with students and faculty, again affirming a strong commitment to teaching and learning in the academy. The conference welcomed two important scholars of teaching and learning from Canada to share their insights as keynotes: Dr. Debra L. Dawson from Western University in Canada led an engaging talk on ‘Institutional Catalysts and Barriers to Change in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education’, and Dr. Mike Atkinson left the audience with inspiring ideas from his thoughts on ‘Active Learning and Engaging Students.’
SoTLC was also a time for celebration and recognition. In the opening ceremony, AKU President Firoz Rasul announced the reaccreditation of AKU for the next 3 years by Advance HE, an internationally recognized body that furthers the professional development of teaching for higher education faculty worldwide – AKU is the only university in the Global South to have such an honour. Dr. Tashmin Khamis, the Associate Vice Provost, QTL_ net, also announced the launch of a new SoTL grant: the biennial Award for Collaborative Practices in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning worth USD 5000.
Celebrations of teaching continued into the second day, with several faculty members earning their fellowships and one earning their senior fellowship with Advance HE through AKU’s accredited TEACH professional development scheme. In a monumental achievement for AKU, the conference also formally launched the Teachers' Academy - an in-house professional development scheme born from the hard work of QTL_ net and accreditation by Advance HE.
SoTLC 2019 was a true reflection of AKU’s values, and an exemplary indication of the passion for teaching and learning that united those from all of AKU’s global campuses. Megha Unadkat, a student from AKU Nairobi, captured the spirit of SoTL after attending a breakfast with AKU leaders and faculty by saying “AKU is a family, it’s important to bring everyone together so that you realize what’s happening on the other side, what are the differences, and learn from each other.”
Though the next SoTL Conference is two years away, it is certain the innovation, collaboration, and passion of AKU will continue to foster an evidence-based, world-class culture of teaching and learning.