Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Lecturers Enroll in the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) programme

The third group of NUST lecturers has enrolled for the Institution’s Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) programme. The course is aimed at enhancing pedagogical skills and offering lecturers learning experiences.

The programme, offered by the University’s Teaching and Learning Unit (TLU), in collaboration with the Faculty of Human Sciences, meets the needs of staff new to teaching in higher education as well as experienced lecturers who wish to improve their teaching skills.

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The PGCHE is a three-semester programme that includes Teaching, Learning and Assessment, Curriculum Design and Development, and Technology Integration in Teaching and Learning. The programme embraces a blended learning approach, where materials are uploaded on the online platform that can be accessed before the face-to-face classes. This allows full engagement during the contact sessions which are reserved for small group work, in-class writing, discussions, micro-teaching and feedback.
One of the lecturers enrolled in the programme, Dr Adam Flowers, of the Department of Health Sciences, commented on his experience with the PGCHE.

“The teaching and exercises I am receiving in this course have given me a fresh perspective on what it means to be a great teacher. It is not just someone who is knowledgeable and shares that knowledge, but one who can use my own past experience and skills to awaken a desire to learn in my students, and to equip them with the skills they need to achieve their goals. This is modelled for us by the teachers in the workshop, who facilitate learning through active processes, not spoon-feeding us and asking us to regurgitate the information. I am thankful for this opportunity to grow as an educator.”

Another lecturer, Nkululeko Mthembo, of the Department of Informatics, commented on how the PGCHE will impact his teaching.

“The programme will empower me with various tools that I can use to facilitate my lectures in a better way. Any newly acquired skill will be immediately put to good use. The students should expect more interactive and engaging lectures, which will cater for diverse learning styles.”

The coordinator of the programme, Dr Katherine Carter, commended all the lecturers for their hard work throughout the first course. The PGCHE is a Level 8 qualification (Honours), registered with the Namibia Qualification Authority (NQA).