Asia

open welcome sign on a glass door

Strategies to maximise the benefits of open research

Sharing data, publishing preprints and making research outputs freely available all have tangible benefits for individual scientists and society. Here are tips to get started

Tariq Al-Musawi

Al-Mustaqbal University

Robot in thoughtful pose with hand to chin

Re-evaluating natural intelligence in the face of ChatGPT

Generative AI tools mean that our pedagogy, understanding of specialisation and how we value human abilities such as empathy, compassion and critical thinking must change

Elvin Lim , Andrew Koh

Singapore Management University

Asian students raising hands in university class

Putting trust at the heart of higher education

Vulnerability, uncertainty and mutual respect can help build trust between students and universities. The process can include small actions such as open conversations in class and whole-institution programmes

Samson Tse , Carl Hildebrand

The University of Hong Kong

Books and papers piled around an empty notepad with a pencil poised to write

Making the abstract concrete

Strategies for writing effective abstracts for conference and research papers

Steven Bateman, Yingchun Li

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

Diverse team of scientists in a competition

How supervisors can use research competitions to inspire lifetime learning

While some may think that entering student science competitions is all about the gold medals, the long-term nature of such projects is perfect fodder for learning meaningful skills

Zheng Pai

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Assessment and feedback

Top tips on providing useful feedback to students

From showing appreciation for effort to using game-based learning effectively, Preeti Aghalayam outlines some options for making feedback work for your students

Preeti Aghalayam

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hands holding seedling surrounded by sustainability icons

A holistic blueprint for sustainability

Instead of compartmentalising decisions about infrastructure or resource allocation, universities need a whole-system approach to sustainability that shifts attitudes and behaviour, writes Lily Kong

Lily Kong

Singapore Management University

Pile of exam papers

Writing exam questions in a six-step process

Writing exam questions is a meticulous, complex and creative part of teaching. The habit of using a standardised process will make this frequent task more manageable, writes Fiona Lifen Liu

Fiona Lifen Liu

Macau University of Science and Technology

Illustration of two men in shirt and ties shaking hands over jigsaw speech bubble

How can we measure interdisciplinary learning?

A benchmark of success for interdisciplinary learning is graduates who have the flexibility to examine their areas of interest and develop attributes that deliver practical value to future employers

Elvin Lim , Daniel Seah

Singapore Management University

Small group discussions at university

Active learning strategies to boost student engagement

Ibham Veza and Vorathin Epin provide practical advice on implementing active learning strategies in the classroom for enhanced learning outcomes

Ibham Veza, Vorathin Epin

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

Group of young people in a circle all joining hands in the centre

Why we start undergraduate transdisciplinary research from day one

Hands-on knowledge discovery can give students the chance to put learning into action from the beginning of their studies, write Gray Kochhar-Lindgren and Julian Tanner

Gray Kochhar-Lindgren, Julian Tanner

The University of Hong Kong

ChatGPT and AI can be used to aid university assessment

How ChatGPT can help disrupt assessment overload

Advances in AI are not necessarily the enemy – in fact, they should prompt long overdue consideration of assessment types and frequency, says David Carless

David Carless

The University of Hong Kong

Rubber duck dodging an obstacle

Failing your way to academic success

Failure offers students and educators a chance to explore their shortcomings and come to greater self-awareness. In fact, it can be seen as growth in disguise, write Kelvin Yihang Zhang and Kim Yong Joong

Kelvin Yihang Zhang, Kim Yong Joong

Macau University of Science and Technology

Research competitions and university sutdents

Tactics for leading and engaging students in research competitions

Research competitions can motivate, encourage and inspire students, but we must align their expectations and encourage teamwork throughout the project

Zheng Pai

Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Student ROI is becoming a major factor in study abroad decisions

Is your university worth the investment for international students?

International student concerns have changed in recent years, and traditional study-abroad destinations need to keep up

Cagri Bagcioglu

Cintana Education

Female student working while referring to books

How to manage assessment feedback in large classes? Get students involved

Delivering quality feedback for every individual student in a large class can be challenging. That is where peer feedback can help if structured and guided effectively, write four teaching academics

Steven Bateman, Shi-Min How, Chew Ging Lee , Jie Zhang

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University , University of Southampton Malaysia

A tutor speaking to a student

Reframing feedback as a valuable learning tool

How to help students appreciate feedback as a useful aid to learning so that they engage with it in a productive way

Joseph Tinsley

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

Young Asian man jumping through circular obstacles

Building resilience in students: give them roots and wings

Teachers can act as their students’ strongest supporters and life coaches, assisting them in acquiring the knowledge, abilities and resilience they need to face life’s challenges

Cheong Fan

Macau University of Science and Technology

professional woman in office with laptop with head in hands

How to use failure to build an academic career

Failure can be a stepping stone on the way to professional success. Here, Beiting He offers tips for finding support through setbacks and cultivating a resilience mindset

Beiting He

Macau University of Science and Technology

Young woman in black hijab working at laptop

Four ways active learning can transform learning experiences

Edtech has facilitated a teaching approach that ties student success to collaboration, consistency and contribution. Paul Hopkinson breaks down its advantages

Paul Hopkinson

Zayed University

Woman taking part in an online class in a library

Five strategies for supporting students with special educational needs online

Five practical tips educators can use when teaching students with special educational needs on an online, blended or hybrid course, shared by Tendai Charles

Tendai Charles

British University in Dubai

Four Asian students on a bench looking at a laptop

Design a student-centred curriculum for dynamic learning

Student-centred learning design promotes engagement, critical thinking and problem-solving, which leads to enhanced real-world skills. M. C. Zhang and Aliana Leong share their strategies

M. C. Zhang, Aliana Leong

Macau University of Science and Technology

Asian students working at a laptop

Autonomy, fun and other benefits of student-centred learning design

Putting students at the core of learning design can bring business and commerce studies to life, writes Guan Wang

Guan Wang

Macau University of Science and Technology

People evenly sharing out a pie

Take care over sharing: guiding student teams on collaboration

Effective teamwork requires shared understanding, goals and responsibility over a task. Kenan Kok Xiao-Feng explains how to guide students in working collectively

Kenan Kok Xiao-Feng

Singapore Institute of Technology

The magic of open book assessment

Everything you always wanted to know about open-book exams – but were afraid to ask

Creatively constructed open-book assessments are increasingly relevant. Preeti Aghalayam offers advice on how to design them for best effect

Preeti Aghalayam

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Failure must be celebrated in higher education

Three steps to accepting failure: recognise, embrace and enculturate

Many fail to see the blood, sweat and tears that often go into both successes and failures. We must learn how to celebrate the process as well as the outcome

Kenan Kok Xiao-Feng , Oran Devilly

Singapore Institute of Technology

Research and business need to go hand in hand in an uncertain future

Four tips for developing students’ business skills

How to teach skills that bridge the gap between completing an undergraduate business programme and embarking on a successful career, by Qi Li and Rosemary Bai

Rosemary Bai, Qi Li

Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

History books

The history versus fiction debate revisited (again) thanks to ‘The Crown’

In the wake of the notorious television series it feels more crucial than ever that faculty reiterate to students the difference between historical fact and fiction

Farish A Noor  

University of Malaya

International students require help when travelling to new countries

How to champion the international student experience from admission to graduation

An international student’s experience at your institution can be very positive with mindful handling every step of the way, says Preeti Aghalayam

Preeti Aghalayam

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Student cameras turned on

Lights, camera, action: how to get students to turn on their cameras

Strategies to strengthen student engagement and build community in virtual learning environments by encouraging all students to turn on their cameras, by Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati

Clara Chapdelaine-Feliciati

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

People in arrow formation, leadership concept

What is responsible leadership in tertiary education?

This leadership model emphasises participation and community over individual heroics and champions broad measures of success, writes Harry Gill

Harry Gill

Zayed University

Students enjoying an informal get together over coffee

The power of events to build belonging among students

XJTLU’s new Entrepreneur College had to work fast to build a sense of belonging among its first student cohorts, and one way it did this was by hosting a series of events. Xiaotong Lu shares the strategies adopted

Xiaotong Lu

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

Indonesian students sitting outside on campus

Hidden stories in Indonesian names: you do not have a surname?

Rosemary Bai shares knowledge about the Indonesian naming system, encouraging higher education institutions and staff to be aware of its uniqueness and handle Indonesian names with respect

Rosemary Bai

Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Image showing icons linked to online messaging and social platforms

Boost learning with online student discussion forums

How to scaffold class online discussion forums to ensure participation from all students and maximise the benefits to learning

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong

Young woman writing code

Three blended learning challenges and how to overcome them

Tips to improve student retention, engagement and participation drawn from teaching blended and online introductory computer programming courses, which cannot rely on in-person labs

Erick Purwanto, Thomas Selig, Na Li

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

Asian woman holding laptop illustrating leadership

Leadership styles that work in the ‘new normal’

University leaders require a broad set of skills – from using data to creating long-term strategy – as well as the ability to adapt to changing times

Gou Rui, Liu Chao

Macau University of Science and Technology

Image showing someone trapped in a glass jar, trying to be heard

Breaking language barriers: supporting non-native English-speaking students

Steps that tutors can take to better support students who are non-native speakers of English and ensure they feel included and able to play an active role in their university community

Jiajun Liu, Qian Wang , Shuai Wang

Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

Image showing a human and AI writing together

ChatGPT and the rise of AI writers: how should higher education respond?

The proliferation of AI text generators such as ChatGPT has major implications for higher education. Nancy Gleason explores how educators should respond to these tools which can write essays in seconds

Nancy Gleason

New York University Abu Dhabi

Students talking in class

Teach and talk: encouraging student dialogue in class

Dialogic validation is about making students aware of the value their ideas bring to the classroom. Roehl Sybing discusses three simple principles that teachers can adopt to get students talking

Roehl Sybing

Doshisha University

Academic marking student's work

Tips to balance teaching and research activities

Five tips to help academics balance their teaching and research duties without compromising the quality of one or the other, by Abdullah Khadim

Abdullah Khadim

Al-Mustaqbal University

student on a pile of books with calculations on the wall concept

How to spice up a lecture

Simple exercises can make reading-based university classes more engaging and interactive, says Amjed Majeed. In this video, he offers four ways to break up the vocabulary, text, comprehension routine

Amjed Hameed Majeed

Al-Mustaqbal University

Time management concept

Nine tips to help students prioritise tasks

If students complain of not having enough time to complete assignments, Hassan Imad Kadhim has nine tips that will help them (and anyone else juggling a to-do list) get tasks done

Hassan Imad Kadhim

Al-Mustaqbal University

Lecturer and students working together

Don’t build barriers between yourself and your students

Lecturers can make their teaching more memorable by breaking down barriers between themselves and their students with a smile and a joke, says Mohammed Zuhear Al Mulali

Mohammed Zuhear Al Mulali

Al-Mustaqbal University

Universities must consider family friendly employment policies and practices

Universities need policies and practices to tackle work-life balance

Broadly speaking, some countries do family-friendly policies and practices better than others – but there are great benefits to be had for everyone, says Siu Oi Ling

Siu Oi Ling

Lingnan University

Businesswoman mentors student

Experiential learning gives students invaluable workplace exposure

Strong industry partnerships can help students broaden their career objectives and create graduate opportunities

Reem Althawadi

Zayed University

Open-book exam

Open-book assessments: dos and don’ts that foster good practice

Exam format can affect student performance and anxiety levels. Here’s how to set an OBA that gives students their best chance to excel

Hongru Zhang

Macau University of Science and Technology

Academic integrity summer schools can be very useful for ECRs

How to organise an event to train ambassadors of academic integrity

Engendering academic integrity in the next generation of researchers is vital for the academy – Salim Razı offers key takeaways from organising free academic integrity summer schools

Salim Razı

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Building a course around target 'customers'

Why higher education must serve students as the customer and the product

An effective university programme should continually adapt in order to add value for and to the students so that they can meet future workplace demands, Haksin Chan and Roy Ying explain

Haksin Chan, Roy Ying

The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong

Illustration of young woman with pile of papers, laptop and timer

Ask for help: a survival guide for inexperienced academics

Research and teaching are two sides of the knowledge coin: creation and dissemination. How do young scholars learn to balance these fundamental roles?

M. C. Zhang, Aliana Leong

Macau University of Science and Technology

Female student reading a book in the university library

How I train students in strategic and reflective academic reading

Seven steps that guide students to become effective academic readers during their university studies, by Adrian Man Ho Lam

Adrian Man-Ho Lam

The University of Hong Kong