2nd International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference 2013 to focus on teaching excellence

Miri – 29 July 2013 – The 2nd International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference 2013 being organised by Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) will be held at Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri from 9 to 10 December 2013 and focus on teaching excellence.

Disclosing this was Curtin Sarawak’s Dean of Teaching and Learning and organising chairperson, Associate Professor Dr. Beena Giridharan, who said that this year’s conference is designed to provide institutions of higher learning the opportunity to discuss and share experiences and innovative teaching techniques, as well as focus on higher education teaching excellence and the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Themed ‘Engaging Innovative Pedagogical Practice and Research in Higher Education’, the conference will elaborate on innovative pedagogical practice and research in higher education, transnational education and internationalisation, blending authenticity with online learning, assessment and feedback, work-integrated learning and ‘classrooms without walls’.

Ultimately, the conference will be an opportunity for academics and researchers to demonstrate effective instructional practice and disseminate the latest research aimed at improving the quality of higher education.

Among those presenting at the conference are keynote speakers Professor Ronald Barnett from the Institute of Education, University of London, and Associate Professor Betty Leask from UniSA Business School, University of South Australia.

Professor Barnett, an Emeritus Professor of Higher Education, is a well-known figure on the conceptual and theoretical understanding of the university and higher education. He has published over 200 papers and 21 books, several of which are award-winning and translated into other languages.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Leask is an Australian National Teaching Fellow whose focus is on linking theory and practice in the internationalisation of higher education with a particular focus on the curriculum.

According to Associate Professor Beena, 90 abstracts from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Jordan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia have been received.

“Judging by the abstracts received, I look forward to a vibrant and exciting conference,” she said.

The conference is being sponsored by the Sarawak Convention Bureau, the Sarawak Government, EventM Network, Arab World English Journal and Science Publishing Group.

Conference registration opens on 5 August 2013. The registration fee for domestic participants is RM800 (inclusive of dinner); RM300 for secondary school teachers and higher research degree or postgraduate students; and USD400 for international participants. Those interested to participate are encouraged to take advantage of the early bird registration by 15 September 2013 and enjoy a discounted fee of RM700 (inclusive of dinner).

For more event information, visit the conference website at www.curtin.edu.my/TL2013/. Alternatively, one can call the Conference Secretary at +6 085-443939 or e-mail secretariat.hetl@curtin.edu.my.

Professor Ronald Barnett of the Institute of Education, University of London.

Associate Professor Betty Leask of UniSA Business School, University of South Australia