MAAUN organizes 1st Faculty Development Workshop to enhance Student-Lecturer Relationship

The Institute of Africa Higher Education Research and Innovation, IAHERI, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, in association with Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, has organized a two-day Faculty Development Workshop as part of an effort to promote student-lecturer relationships for effective teaching and learning.

The seminar with the theme ‘Nurturing Effective Faculty-Student Relationships and Embracing Educational Technology‘, was attended physically and virtually on Saturday, 9th and Sunday, 10th September, 2023.

During the sessions, a total of ten papers were presented. At the end of each paper, participants were allowed to ask questions, share experiences and insights as well as exchange ideas on how to cultivate healthy relationships in the teaching profession.

Speaking during the workshop, the Founder of MAAUN, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, emphasized the need for regular training and re-training for staff to equip them with the necessary skills for effective performance.

Prof. Gwarzo, who tasked MAAUN faculties to continue to uphold the ethics of the teaching profession, also highlighted the importance of using diplomatic approaches in handling students.

While expressing the university’s readiness to promote research and innovation through mouthwatering grants, Prof. Gwarzo described innovation as the major driver of economic and human development.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of the University, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Israr, appreciated the initiative, noting that the seminar will explore various strategies for nurturing effective faculty-student relationships and harness the potential of educational technology.

He thanked the organizers for their thoughtfulness in bringing such a lecture session for the development of MAAUN faculties.

In his presentation, the Director, IAHERI, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Haruna, who extensively discussed the impact of relationships on learning, said it enhances students’ overall satisfaction with university experience.

Prof. Sadiq, who presented four papers during the two-day program, described learning as a permanent behavioural modification which takes place as a result of experience, hence the need for skilled faculty to guide the students to achieve their desired career goals.

Also in his presentation, the Vice Chancellor, Franco-British International University, Kaduna, Prof. Abdullahi Muhammad Sabo, explained the role of emotional intelligence in building relationships, saying it promotes empathy and enhances trust.

Prof. Sabo, who spoke at length on ethical considerations in teaching, cautioned against practices that may lead to conflict of interest, favouritism and inappropriate behaviors.

Presenting paper on the Impacts of Technology on Education, Engr. Muftawu Sanusi, exposed the participants to hands-on training on how to conduct a virtual class, utilize google workspace and make use of some selected online sources for research and academic development.

In a separate vote of thanks, Dr. Samira Hassan and Prof. Sallisou Mamoudou from MAAUN Kano and Maradi thanked the organizers for initiating the program.

Those in attendance were the Vice President Administration, Dr. Habib Awais Abubakar, Director, Founders Office, Dr. Aliyu Mirnga, Director, Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Dr. Nura A. Yaro and Deans, School of Social and Management Sciences and Computing, Dr. Mahmoud Muktar Saidu and Prof. Ibrahim Lawal respectively.

Others were the Vice President Campus Life, Dr. Hamza Garba, Dean, School of Nursing Sciences, Dr. Umar Lawan Bello, Director, General Education, Dr. Abdullahi Garba, Dr. Musa Lawan Jibia, Dr. Abdullahi Sufi and Dr. Murtala Haruna, among others.