VICE-CHANCELLOR’S REPORT TO COUNCIL 2022—2023
OPEN CAMPUS REPORT
Hugh Shearer Labour Studies Institute (HSLSI) The HSLSI has maintained partnership with Brock University (Canada), the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF), the Jamaica Civil Service Association (JCSA) and The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). New partnerships were forged with Acorn Professional Group, Atlantic Council, Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), The Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PIOJ), The Transformation Implementation Unit and UN Women. The HSLSI conducted 27 workshops on various topics relevant to industrial relations and the broad area of labour studies. The workshops focused mainly on the application of labour laws and industrial relations best practices. Members of organisations such as the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA), Jamaica Employers Federation, the Urban Development Corporation, and Government of Jamaica Ministries and Agencies were in attendance.
that connect first year students to academic and student development support services. Several webinars were held under this initiative for both Semesters 1 and 2 on topics such as Visual, Aural, Read/Write Kinesthetic (VARK) Learning Styles; Efficient Ways to Improve Student Writing; Note Taking Strategies for Online Learning; Working in Groups; and Scheduling (Keeping Track of Your Learning Exchange Tasks).
Other activities which APAD facilitated in an effort to enhance the quality of teaching and learning include conducting workshops for adjuncts during January and February 2023 on improving mark schemes and rubrics, the review and revision of various courses and programmes, and provided support to the Digital Pedagogies for Sustainable Development Conference offered by the Office of Online Learning. This two-day practical conference, held on May 25–26, 2023, enabled participants to learn new knowledge and skills in online teaching and learning as they explored topics in practical workshop sessions. The aim of the workshop was to develop solutions to problems in online learning to make their institutions more sustainable, effective, and efficient in executing their mission. Day 1 explored Online Teaching and Learning at the classroom level and Day 2 focused on Institutional Strategies for Online Education.
Academic Programming and Delivery (APAD) Division
The APAD Division utilised various methods to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, which include but are not limited to essential pedagogy training, revision of Senate-approved programmes, and the delivery of the online facilitation courses, among others. Of particular note is the implementation of The Virtual Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (vCETL), Open Campus. This Centre has a professional development function at The UWI and is crucial for the training and coaching of full-time staff and adjuncts. The Centre will prove an invaluable addition to the Open Campus in its ongoing quest to enhance the quality of teaching and learning provided, with plans to create a virtual training laboratory for faculty and adjuncts, develop and deliver a new certificate training programme and/or new CUTL module in online course design and development, and facilitate the delivery of the Research Supervisor Development course, among many others.
Student Experience Unit (SEU)
Continuing and Professional Education Centre
The SEU led a full investigative review of the Campus’ Prior Learning and Assessment process, which led to the establishment of a dedicated Applicant Advising Committee. This Committee currently channels previously overlooked applicants into CPE courses as well as through the Mature Entry process.
Adopting The UWI Course Experience Instrument for CPE Evaluations
While The UWI-wide Course Experience Review instrument is utilised by the Open Campus to gauge student satisfaction for Senate-approved courses, CPE courses and programmes utilised a different survey instrument. In the 2022/2023 academic year, the Continuing and Professional Education Centre submitted a proposal to adopt The UWI Course Experience Instrument for all CPE courses and programmes, which was approved by AQAC with implementation AY 2023/2024. This move will further unify the approach
Student Support and Services Department
The Student Support and Services Department created the First Year Experience Programme to help new students navigate their first year of studies at The UWI. This is achieved by creating learning communities, using information and communication technologies
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