The Maldives National University (MNU) has reinforced its commitment to improving higher education quality through its “Assessment and Evaluation for Academic Staff” training programme, responding to student feedback by strengthening lecturers’ understanding of adult learning principles and effective instructional practices.
The training addressed the growing importance of adapting teaching approaches to the diverse needs of adult learners, particularly as higher education continues to evolve alongside technological advancements and changing student expectations. By responding to professional development needs identified through student feedback, the initiative highlighted MNU’s focus on continuous improvement and student-centred education.
A central component of the programme was the exploration of andragogy, the theory and practice of adult learning. Academic staff were introduced to key learning theories and their practical applications, enabling lecturers to better understand how adult students acquire knowledge, engage with educational content, and apply learning in academic and professional contexts.
The programme also examined effective teaching and learning methods, instructional strategies, and the importance of aligning classroom activities with intended learning outcomes. These approaches aimed to support more structured, purposeful, and engaging educational experiences while strengthening the connection between teaching practices and student achievement.
Recognising the increasing influence of technology in higher education, the training encouraged lecturers to reflect critically on their existing instructional methods and explore opportunities to adapt their teaching to modern, technology-enhanced learning environments. Emphasis was placed on maintaining effective educational practices while responding to evolving learning needs.
Beyond strengthening individual teaching competencies, the initiative underscored the importance of incorporating student feedback into academic staff development. By identifying areas for improvement and providing targeted professional learning opportunities, MNU seeks to promote greater responsiveness, instructional effectiveness, and consistency across its academic programmes.
The training contributes to MNU’s wider efforts to advance quality education, inclusive and equitable learning, lifelong learning, digital literacy, professional capacity development, and educational innovation. Through continued investment in academic staff development, the university aims to strengthen teaching excellence, enhance student engagement, and foster a more responsive and future-ready higher education environment.
