Empowering Educators to Build a Reflective and Student-Centered Learning Environment

📍 Duhok – April 20, 2025 | University of Duhok Media

As part of its strategic vision to transform teaching and learning in higher education, the University of Duhok (UOD), through its College of Medicine and the Department of Medical Education, hosted an intensive faculty development workshop titled “Feedback in Academic Education”. This initiative is a key step in fostering a university-wide culture of reflective teaching and student-centered learning.

The workshop convened educators and academic leaders from across the university to explore the power of effective feedback in promoting academic success, improving student engagement, and enhancing teaching professionalism.

Presidential Vision: Feedback as a Catalyst for Academic Transformation

Opening the event, Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, President of UOD, delivered a forward-looking keynote, emphasizing that feedback is more than a tool—it's a pedagogical philosophy. He underscored the need for universities to move beyond traditional teaching delivery and focus on interactive learning, intellectual development, and student empowerment.

“The future of education is rooted in engagement and growth,” Dr. Atrushi stated. “Feedback should be a continuous, intentional, and empowering process. I call on all colleges to establish dedicated units for teaching innovation and pedagogical advancement.”

He praised the College of Medicine for taking the lead and invited faculty from all disciplines to join in shaping UOD’s next chapter of academic excellence.

A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Academic Feedback

The workshop was facilitated by a panel of esteemed experts in medical education and pedagogy:

• Dr. Mohammed Hazim Mahmood
   
• Dr. Hishyar Azo Najeeb
   
• Dr. Alaa Hani Raziq
   

Drawing from both academic research and real-world classroom practice, the facilitators engaged participants in thought-provoking sessions that included:

• Understanding the psychology of feedback: How constructive feedback boosts motivation and learning.
   
• Avoiding harmful practices: Identifying the dangers of vague, generic, or critical-only feedback.
   
• Models for effective delivery: Research-backed frameworks such as the “Pendleton model” and “Feedback Sandwich”.
   
• Promoting student resilience and confidence through tailored feedback strategies.
   
• Creating a growth mindset culture that supports continuous improvement for both students and teachers.
   

Interactive group exercises and role-play scenarios brought these concepts to life, helping faculty reflect on their current approaches and adopt evidence-based improvements.

Strategic Impact: Driving UOD's Vision for Academic Innovation

This event is aligned with several core pillars of the University of Duhok Strategic Plan 2023–2038, particularly the university’s goals to:

✅ Advance evidence-based teaching practices
✅ Foster faculty development through ongoing training and support
✅ Promote active learning environments across all colleges
✅ Empower students through mentorship and academic coaching
✅ Lead regional progress in higher education reform

The workshop follows a high-level planning session held on March 18, 2025, where the Medical Education team and UOD leadership jointly prioritized improving the culture of feedback across departments.

Building Momentum for Future Faculty Development Programs

By empowering academic staff with modern teaching tools, the College of Medicine is pioneering a movement of pedagogical renewal within the University of Duhok. The university plans to replicate this model in other colleges to promote sustainable, student-centered educational practices across disciplines.

In doing so, UOD continues to position itself as a regional leader in higher education transformation, committed to delivering world-class academic standards rooted in responsiveness, relevance, and reflective practice.

Watch highlights from the event

📌 University of Duhok Media | April 20, 2025
📝 Reported by: Ismat Mahmood Mohammed
📸 Photos: Mohammed Abdulkareem Tahir

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