Curtin Malaysia academics garner success and recognition at inaugural iSoLT Hackathon

Miri – 18 April 2024 – The recent inaugural Innovation and Scholarship of Learning and Teaching (iSoLT) Hackathon at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) was a resounding success, with academics showcasing their creativity and expertise in shaping the future of education.

The event, jointly organised by the Curtin Academy at Curtin University in Perth and Curtin Malaysia’s Office of Learning and Teaching, marked a milestone in advancing pedagogical excellence and research. It brought together a diverse array of educators, researchers, and innovators who demonstrated their commitment to enhancing learning experiences through cutting-edge projects and initiatives.

The participants gave dynamic presentations of their research projects aimed at addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities in higher education, and the best were rewarded with iSoLT seed funds to further develop and implement their research projects.

A total of 25 staff from Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, Faculty of Engineering and Science, and Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences participated in the two-day event, and a total of six projects were awarded seed funds.

Dr. Jibrail Kansedo, a senior lecturer in chemical engineering, was given seed funds for his research project titled ‘Developing an Effective Learning Design and Support for Visually Impaired Students’. Others in Dr. Kansedo’s project team are Associate Professor Raymond Chiong Choo Wei, Associate Professor John Lau Sie Yon, and Dr. Julia Moh Hwei Zhong.

A second team led by senior lecturer in civil and construction engineering Ir. Meheron Selowara Joo also received funds for their project titled ‘Empowering Students: Managing Capstone Project Assignments using Microsoft Project Software – Proof of Concept’. Ir. Meheron’s teammates comprise Carrie Ho Lee Ing, Dr. Tina Ting Chui Huon, and Dr. Lee Yeong Huei.

Dr. Samuel Folorunso Adeyinka-Ojo, a senior lecturer of marketing, successfully pitched his project titled ‘Developing Joyful Learning Pedagogy to Cultivate Students’ Leadership Skills’, which he is carrying out with team members Dr. Ngu Ik Ying, Dr. Abba Ya’u Roni, Dr. Marcelo Artioli Schellini, and Dr. Dhanashree Giri Amatya.

Dr. Mohammad Belayet Hossain, a lecturer in accounting, finance and economics, led the fourth successful team with a project titled ‘Framing of Legal and Factual Issues in Court Cases’. Dr. Mohammad’s teammates are Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Fazi and Dr. Sivaraman Eswaran.

The award for the fifth project went to a team comprising project lead Dr. Perumal Kumar, an associate professor in chemical and energy engineering; Dr. Angnes Tiong Ngieng Tze, Associate Professor Bridgid Chin Lai Fui, and Dr. Tanusree Chakravarty Mukherjee. Their project is titled ‘The Use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to Improve Student Engagement, Motivation, and Learning Experience’.

Dr. Ziad Bennour, a lecturer in chemical and energy engineering, and his team members, namely Dr. Haider Hamad Ghayeb, Dr. Salem Mgammal Awadh Nasser Al-Ameri, and Jacqueline Noriyati Martin, received the sixth award for their project titled ‘Enhancing Students’ Industrial Training Experience through Triangulation of Stakeholders’ Perspective on Competencies’.

Curtin Malaysia’s Dean of Learning and Teaching, Curtin Academy Associate Fellow, and organiser of the iSoLT Hackathon, Prof. Tang Fu Ee, said the innovative ideas and compelling proposals showcased by the teams underscored the wealth of talent and expertise within the Curtin Malaysia community. “The seed funds will enable the recipients to explore new methodologies, technologies, and pedagogical approaches that will elevate the quality of teaching and learning at Curtin Malaysia and beyond,” he said.

He added that the winning teams would be invited to present their projects at the Curtin Academy’s Illuminate event in Perth in 2025.

Prof. Tang emphasised that it is important to ensure that academics implement the most suitable teaching approaches and practices so that students receive the best learning experience possible. Examples of scholarship of learning and teaching include carrying out action research in the classroom, such as with the projects presented at the hackathon.

Prof. Tang also commented that it was an immense pleasure having Associate Professor Ben Milbourn and Associate Professor Lisa Tee, both Curtin Academy Fellows from Perth, conduct a series of iSoLT sessions for academic staff and offer their valuable mentorship during the event.

Participants were divided into teams to brainstorm ideas using design thinking and incorporating the framework of students as partners, inclusion and diversity, to conceptualise their iSoLT project pitches and fine-tune their ideas under the mentorship of Milbourn and Tee. Milbourn and Tee also introduced the participants to the Curtin Academy Fellowship and encouraged them to apply.

During the hackathon, the participants also learned valuable tips from past recipients of the Learning Innovation & Teaching Excellence Centre (LITEC) Curtin Academy Small Grant, Dr. Tiong Ying and Dr. Saaveethya Sivakumar.

Meanwhile, Professor Simon Leunig, Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive of Curtin Malaysia, in congratulating the winners, said the iSoLT Hackathon exemplified Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence in teaching and learning.

“The calibre of projects presented at the iSoLT Hackathon reflects the dedication and passion of our academic community in driving positive change and transformative outcomes,” Prof. Leunig remarked. “By harnessing the collective expertise and creativity of its faculty members, Curtin Malaysia reaffirms its position as a leading institution in the pursuit of educational excellence and innovation.”

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Prof Tang Fu Ee (left) with Assoc Prof Milbourn (middle) and Assoc Prof Lisa Tee during the iSoLT Hackathon held at Curtin Malaysia.

Participants of the iSoLT Hackathon

Associate Professor Lisa Tee sharing her invaluable experience with the participants.