The event took place in the Conference Hall on the university campus, with significant participation from faculty members and experts in higher education.
The Acting President of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Prof. Fahad A. Al-Harbi, inaugurated the "Forum for Innovative and Impactful Teaching and Learning Practices," organized by the Deanship of Academic Development. The event took place in the Conference Hall on the university campus, with significant participation from faculty members and experts in higher education.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Al-Harbi stressed the importance of advancing university teaching and learning practices, particularly in the context of rapid technological progress. He pointed out that evolving these practices is now a critical necessity for preparing the next generation for the demands of the job market and fostering lifelong learning. Prof. Al-Harbi also highlighted artificial intelligence as one of the main tools that must be integrated into education, referencing international examples. He praised the efforts of the forum’s organizing committee, the event’s organizing team, and the robust participation from faculty members.
The Dean of the Deanship of Academic Development, Dr. Mohammed S. Alkathiri, explained that the forum aims to showcase and share innovative teaching practices being implemented at the university. This was achieved through interactive discussion sessions and live presentations. The discussion sessions were held concurrently, with each session lasting 45 minutes and focusing on a specific area of university education. These were followed by six live sessions featuring 15 speakers, attended by over 300 faculty members from various disciplines. Each session included speakers known for their exceptional educational practices, with a Q&A session held at the conclusion of each presentation.
The session topics included the following:
- First Session: Advancing Saudi University Education for the Future
- Second Session: Enhancing Understanding and Critical Thinking
- Third Session: Enhancing Learning Through Institutional Practices
- Fourth Session: Successful Strategies to Enhance Learning and Academic Performance
- Fifth Session: Enhancing Assessment through Targeted Teaching Strategies
- Closing Session: Key Recommendations of the Forum
At the conclusion of the forum, key recommendations were presented, focusing on the need for periodic updates to curricula, the promotion of active learning, and the integration of modern technologies into teaching and learning practices. Additionally, the recommendations stressed the role of effective academic leadership and the development of student skills to align with labor market needs. They also highlighted the importance of continuous investment in faculty training, empowering students with 21st-century skills, preparing them for post-graduation planning, fostering differentiated instruction, addressing the needs of Generation Z students, and maintaining ongoing academic forums to encourage constructive dialogue among faculty members across various disciplines. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of higher education and address future challenges.
