Cultivating Vibrancy and Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Leadership
At our university, we understand that outstanding teaching and continuous professional growth are fundamental to achieving academic excellence. The Faculty Development Center (FDC) is committed to empowering faculty members at every stage of their careers. By advancing modern teaching frameworks focused on learning outcomes and active student engagement, alongside technical and digital proficiencies, the FDC cultivates an environment of innovation, collaboration, and sustained professional development that enriches the entire university community.
FDC also plays a strategic role in aligning faculty development with institutional goals and quality assurance standards. It encourages interdisciplinary exchange, critical reflection, and scholarly engagement to elevate academic practice. By nurturing a culture of lifelong learning, the FDC ensures that faculty remain responsive to emerging trends and challenges in higher education.
We believe that faculty members are lifelong learners. Each stage of a teaching career requires different types of support. A strong learning community is built through teamwork and shared experiences. We also believe that better teaching leads to better learning environments for students.
Guiding Principles
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Integrity: By paying attention to the highest ethical standards in all domains, persistence and demand for honesty, decency and fairness,
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Academic freedom: Current commitment not to compromise academic freedom; its advancement is seen as the foundation for any forthcoming faculty development undertaking,
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Teamwork and collaboration: Inter-disciplinary, teamwork, readiness to help each other, external partnerships, and capacity to create new fields of development paradigms.
Vision Statement
To cultivate a faculty-initiated culture of innovation and development for teaching excellence.
Mission Statement
The mission of FDC is to improve teaching and learning environment inspiring faculty members to achieve excellence in teaching and research across their career lifespan.
Mandate of FDC
The Faculty Development Center works closely with all departments to offer programs and services that support:
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Effective teaching strategies and learning practices
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Academic research and publishing skills
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Use of modern technology in teaching and learning
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Personal and professional growth
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National and international learning opportunities
FDC Priorities
FDC’s role and purpose is to provide a leadership role on campuses in the ongoing investigation of University-level teaching and faculty development practice. The office will do so by fostering quality Scholarship of teaching and learning and many other long and short-term approaches. The various programs inculcated in order to achieve the goals are as:
Key Activities and Programs
Trainings, Seminars and Workshops
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To upgrade the knowledge and skills of faculty members in their field or line of work through participation in trainings, seminars and workshops.
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To provide opportunities for faculty members to network with experts and their peers.
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Support the faculty members in attending trainings, seminars and workshops.
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The trainings, seminars, and workshops referred to in this program are those that lead to the transfer of academic or professional knowledge and skills to the participants.
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The seminar, workshop or training must be directly in line with the faculty member’s area of development or line of work and should clearly lead to the upgrading of his/her knowledge or skills.
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The faculty member shall submit a post-training report/summary of activities within the training session after returning from the training.
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The application of training from FDC must be submitted to the VCA Office at least one week prior to the training/seminar/workshop for approval.
FDC Responsibilities
Explore the development and learning of 21st century college students and other contemporary learners which includes,
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Challenge faculty ideas on teaching and learning and use of technology,
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Examine various research and theory based approaches to college instruction,
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Support the implementation of evidenced-based and innovative approaches by instructors, and
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Assist faculty in assessing their instructional practice and using that assessment to refine their teaching approaches.
New Faculty Support
For new faculty members, we offer:
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New Faculty Orientation.to introduce them to the university culture, systems, and teaching practices
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Teaching Support through seminars and mentoring
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Peer Observation Programs to learn and grow from one another’s teaching styles
Faculty Evaluation and Recognition
Our center also plays a key role in:
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Supporting and finalizing the academic ranking process for faculty members
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Providing feedback on performance
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Helping instructors set goals and track their growth
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Encouraging peer recognition and sharing of best practices
Working Together
FDC partners with different departments and offices to:
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Encourage cross-campus collaboration
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Support academic leadership at all levels
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Promote innovation and student-centered teaching
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Build a stronger, more connected faculty community
How to Get Involved
Faculty members can:
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Join upcoming training sessions
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Ask for customized workshops
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Share their teaching challenges
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Become mentors for new faculty
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Apply to present at our learning events
Contact Us
Want to learn more with the Faculty Development Center?
Visit our office, email us, or follow us on our university’s internal platform
fdc@kardan.edu.af
