As the new semester gets underway, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) successfully launched its Induction Program (IP) on 26 August 2026. The full-day program featured four professional development workshops designed to equip new faculty with essential teaching skills and practical strategies for the upcoming academic term, covering topics ranging from foundational e-learning tools to the innovative applications of AI in higher education. The program attracted broad participation from both new and returning faculty members, bringing colleagues together for a day of professional development and exchange.

Ms. Suri Suyi Li, Senior IT Technician gave a tutorial on iSpace

The first session, provided participants with a hands-on introduction to BNBU’s e-learning platform, iSpace. Ms. Suri Suyi Li, Senior IT Technician from the Information Technology Services Centre, guided attendees through the platform’s core functions, including how to prepare courses, create assignments, navigate tutorial resources and other support materials.

Prof. Shaoming CHAI demonstrates how AI can analyze questionnaire responses in real time.

Professor Shaoming CHAI, Professor and Associate Dean of the Aberdeen Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at South China Normal University, opened his AI + Education workshop with a live survey and demonstrated how AI could instantly summarise participants’ responses. He explained how AI can generate multimedia resources—including maps, videos, and slides—to reduce cognitive load and enhance learning. Noting that young students prefer personalised online content, Prof. CHAI described the traditional lecture model as “obsolete” and urged a new paradigm in which AI serves as a cognitive partner, while students actively create and solve problems in class. He encouraged teachers to become “learning engineers” who design scaffolds to support inquiry and learning, while using data to track learning outcomes.

Prof. Yanan LIN shares insights on effective teaching and course design.

Prof. Yanan LIN, CTL Special Advisor and Distinguished Professor at Xiamen University, shared his extensive experience in guiding faculty for national teaching competitions. He offered practical guidance on key aspects of course design, including course objectives, structure, syllabus development, resource development, and course positioning. He advocated student-centred teaching, cautioned against potential errors when using AI in mathematics education. He also guided young teachers in designing courses that meet “Smart Course” selection criteria, emphasizing the reshaping of teaching models, data-driven process evaluation, and mechanisms for continuous course improvement.

Dr. Raymond LEE explores assessment design in the age of generative AI.

Dr. Raymond Shu Tak LEE, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology, explored how generative AI is reshaping student learning and assessment design. He argued that rather than prohibiting AI, educators should actively integrate it into assessment by designing tasks from different perspectives and at varying levels of complexity, with greater emphasis on the learning process rather than final outcomes. By adopting diverse assessment formats and maintaining transparency with students, educators can promote active learning, provide feedback throughout the process, and ultimately support student growth.

By equipping faculty with essential digital skills and cutting-edge pedagogical approaches, the Induction Program reinforces CTL’s commitment to teaching excellence, academic innovation, and student-centred learning in the rapidly evolving AI era.

Q&A Sessions