Dubai Women's College wins the Chancellor's Award

The Award is introduced by the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) to recognize HCT faculty members who initiate innovative use of technology, new activities and assignments, or participation by prominent experts.

A team of three DWC faculty members, Pamela Hawkswell, Tamir Mohamed, and Maureen Cocksedge, from the Business Department, won the Award for their student-centered and innovative approach to developing research skills by promoting awareness of current national topics and relating them to international trends. The team created the DWC's Annual Current Issues Forum, primarily involving Higher Diploma1 students, which demonstrates the importance of inculcating research skills in students to prepare them for the highly competitive workplace. Run by students, for students, forum topics reflect important issues in the region that ultimately affect students in their future working life. Participants thoroughly research their topic and demonstrate their knowledge through a medium they judge to be most effective.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the HCT, had introduced The Chancellor Award for Innovation in Teaching for the first time on August 30th, 2006, during his opening speech at the 19th HCT Annual Conference. "I am asking each of the faculty to try new things in their courses. You might introduce innovative uses of technology, new activities and assignments, or participation by prominent experts. You might incorporate internships and practical experience, require student research and independent study, and engage in team teaching. I would like you to think inventively about how to enrich the educational experience for our students," HE said during the 19th HCT Conference. Dr. Howard reed, Senior Director at HCT and DWC Director, considers this award "another great honor for DWC." "Our teachers were able to launch a pioneering project that is an example of DWC setting the pace in delivering student-centered relevant education," Reed noted.

Thirty two entries from various HCT campuses were registered for this award. All entries were evaluated against five criteria: Quality, Creativity, Efficiency, Sharability, and Sustainability each weighted equally. The runners-up place went to faculty members from Sharjah Women's College and Dubai Men's College. "The Chancellor's Award process has brought out many innovative ways of teaching which helps in sharing ideas and enriches the system as a whole," said Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the HCT. "It is essential that in our quest for excellence in teaching we remain committed to our Chancellor's vision to prepare graduates who are ready for the changing needs of the workplace, and trained for a life of ongoing learning and professional success," He added.