Faculty members of the Department of English with the Chief Guest Dr Gauranga Chandra Mohanta, Project Director HEQEP, UGC and the distinguished speakers
Department of English in collaboration of IQAC, Daffodil International University (DIU) jointly organized a workshop on ‘Curriculum Development & Materials Design for the Teaching of English at the Tertiary Level’ on 26 August 2016, at DIU premises. Renowned professors of English from home and abroad along with the faculty members of the Department of English, DIU were present in the session to discuss the proposed revision of the curricula and syllabus design for the department.
The program started with a welcome speech by Ms. Shamsi Ara Huda, Head, Department of English, DIU where she emphasized the department’s efforts and commitments in developing an up-to-date and unique curriculum and syllabus for its students. Professor Dr. Fakrul Alam of the University of Dhaka and Professor Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah of Rajshahi University were present as the key note speakers. Dr. Farkrul Alam, a renowned educationist and English Literature scholar of the country, shared his expertise and opinion about the syllabus for English Literature and Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah, a renowned ELT scholar, shared his opinion regarding the curriculum and syllabus design for the ELT (English Language Teaching) courses. Both the speakers outlined the key courses that must be included in the syllabus. Thinking of the requirements of the job market, they also emphasized on the planning of syllabus considering the present global and local context to equip the students of English department with the best combination of knowledge and skills to ensure a successful career.
This first session was also enhanced by the insightful speeches from the Honorable Chief Guest Dr. Gauranga Chandra Mohanta, Project Director, HEQEP, UGC and from Dr. Mark Bartholomew, Director, Quality Assessment and Capacity Building, BRAC University. Dr. Gauranga, himself being a student of English, was able to give some valuable feedback on the proposed syllabus, whereas Dr. Mark’s session focused on the importance of reading skill to enhance students’ writing skill. Professor M. Hamidur Rahman, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, was also present throughout the day and conducted the session to its end.
After the lunch break, all the faculty members of the host university were divided into 6 groups (four for the BA (Hons) program and two for the MA programs). Each group discussed the syllabus of a particular academic year, and shared its opinion. The groups then prepared written feedbacks for individual courses.
In the last session of the day, another two professors from the University of Dhaka, Professor Dr. Shamsad Mortuza and Professor Dr. Sayeedur Rahman were present as facilitators and they listened to the feedbacks presented by the teachers. Both the facilitators then pointed out some common areas where they recommended more consideration. They emphasized on focusing more on the needs of the DIU students as well as on the specialties and expertise of the DIU teachers. They also pointed out some strategies that are currently trending in other English departments across the country. According to them, instead of importing any design from outside, the syllabus of the DIU English Department should be developed from its internal need analysis research.
The closing session was gracefully chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of DIU, Professor Dr. Yousuf M. Islam. Professor Islam appreciated the hard work done by the department and restated the need for a student-centered and activity-based teaching method and syllabus design. A vote of thanks was given by the Director, IQAC, Professor Dr. Muhammad Mahboob Ali, to everyone present in the workshop. He called the day a success.