TEACHING AND LEARNING POLICY
1.0 Definitions
1.1 The following words and expressions shall have the meanings hereby assigned to them:
1.1.1 Academic Members: Faculty Members and Instructional Members.
1.1.2 Academic Professional Development: Planned activities and events that provides for and contributes to the personal and professional improvement of Academic Members, and are intended to help Academic Members improve their professional knowledge, competence, skill, and effectiveness.
1.1.3 Academic Unit: An entity within the University that delivers Courses for Programs or for entry into Programs.
1.1.4 Accessibility: The provision of equal opportunities and removal of barriers that prevent students with disabilities from fully participating in education.
1.1.5 Applied Learning: A process where learners actively use or apply their knowledge, skills, and concepts in real-world situations or practical contexts, emphasizing hands-on experience, problem-solving and decision making, allowing students to understand how theoretical knowledge connects to actual practice.
1.1.6 Business Unit: Any function of the University headed by the President, Vice-President, Associate Vice-President, Director, Manager, Dean, Head, or Academic Manager, as the case may be.
1.1.7 Course: A set of Learning Sessions in a particular subject, with a defined scope and duration, and specific Learning Outcomes.
1.1.8 Faculty Members: Members of the Teaching and/or Research staff, whether on part-time or full-time contracts, holding the following ranks: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer/Senior Technical Instructor, or Lecturer/Technical Instructor.
1.1.9 Instructional Members: Members of the Teaching staff, whether on part-time or full-time contracts, holding the following titles: Assistant Lecturer/or Workshop/Lab/Clinical Instructor, Assistant Technical Instructor, Trades Technical Instructor, or Teaching Assistant.
1.1.10 Laboratory: Type of instruction that focuses on experimentation in a classroom or a laboratory under the direct supervision of an Academic Member.
1.1.11 Learning Outcomes: The knowledge, skills, and competencies that a Student can demonstrate upon completion of an educational activity, Course, or Program.
1.1.12 Learning Spaces/Environment: Physical and virtual environments that support teaching, learning, and scholarly engagement.
1.1.13 Placement: A period of work training spent by Student(s) in an employer’s business or organization for the purposes of Clinical Practice, Internship, or Work Term.
1.1.14 Program: A prescribed set of Courses leading to a qualification, including a Certificate, Diploma (2 years), Advanced Diploma (3 years), Bachelor, Post Graduate Diploma, Master, or Doctorate, according to the Qatar National Qualifications Framework.
1.1.15 Stakeholder: Individuals or groups, both internal and external, who have an interest in or influence on the decisions, activities, and outcomes of the University.
1.1.16 Strategic Priority: An outcome-oriented, high-level aim to achieve the University’s Mission.
1.1.17 Student: A person who is presently enrolled at the University in a Credit course or who is designated by the University as a Student.
1.1.18 Teaching and Learning: The delivery of practical or theoretical instruction for the purpose of Student learning and development, that is generally organized by disciplines of study and administered within an established model and timeframe.
1.1.19 Teaching Observation: The reflective practice by which an Academic Member’s Teaching is observed in terms of methodology/delivery, content, and impact, resulting in constructive feedback for future improvements.
1.1.20 University: University of Doha for Science and Technology established by Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.
1.2 Where a word or phrase is given a particular meaning, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have corresponding meanings.
1.3 Where the context requires, words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice-versa.
2.0 Policy Purpose
2.1 To ensure that Teaching and Learning practices are designed and delivered in compliance with the University’s mission and Strategic Priorities.
3.0 Policy Scope
3.1 This policy applies to:
3.1.1 Academic Members; and
3.1.2 Academic Units.
4.0 Policy Statements
4.1 Applied and Experiential Learning Pedagogy
4.1.1 The University adopts an Applied Learning pedagogy to help Students acquire and develop real-world, lifelong learning skills and competencies. Academic Units will, where applicable:
4.1.1.1 Integrate practical experiences into the classroom.
4.1.1.2 Engage Students in applied activities including, but not limited to, case studies, experiments, and simulations that reflect current occupational practices.
4.1.1.3 Reflect on Student feedback to improve program quality and student experience.
4.1.1.4 Involve Students in community work and professional settings to apply real world knowledge and skills.
4.1.1.5 Conduct periodic Teaching Observations in accordance with the Teaching Observation Policy (PL-AC-25), ensuring regular feedback loops for professional growth and adherence to Applied Learning standards.
4.1.1.6 Collaborate with other Academic Units, Business Units and Stakeholders to ensure that Teaching and Learning adopt the latest professional and technological practices.
4.1.1.7 Support the professional development of Students by providing relevant work Placement opportunities with industry.
4.1.1.8 Ensure that applied and experiential learning meets the Teaching and Learning requirements, as defined in the Academic Programs Development Framework.
4.1.1.9 Ensure Learning Spaces are appropriately equipped and maintained for experiential learning.
4.1.1.9.1 Maintain accurate documentation of safety training, Laboratory activities, and Student competency-based and outcome-based assessments.
4.1.1.10 Promote continuous improvement in Teaching and Learning through innovative pedagogy and digital learning tools.
4.1.1.11 Support research-informed Teaching and Learning, incorporating relevant findings, including applied Research.
4.1.1.12 Engage Students in learning activities that develop research skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving competencies.
4.2 Modes of Teaching and Learning
4.2.1 The University offers its Programs through full attendance, blended learning, or any other type of education in accordance with Emiri Resolution No. 13 of 2022.
4.3 Inclusivity and Accessibility
4.3.1 As per the Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Policy (PL-ST-24), the University endeavours to foster inclusive and accessible education by supporting Teaching and Learning, and assessment practices that accommodate the diverse backgrounds and needs of all Students.
4.4 Academic Professional Development
4.4.1 The University provides continuous Academic Professional Development to maintain Teaching excellence and advance educational quality, as defined in the relevant Academic Professional Development Procedure (PR-AC-11).
5.0 Procedures
5.1 The Vice-President, Academics will ensure that procedures are developed for the execution of this policy and are implemented accordingly.
6.0 Related Documents
6.1 Academic Programs Development Framework.
6.2 PL-AC-11: Academic Professional Development Policy.
6.3 PL-AC-25: Teaching Observation Policy.
6.4 PL-GV-12: Quality Assurance Policy.
6.5 PL-ST-24: Accommodation for Students with Disabilities Policy.
6.6 PR-AC-11: Academic Professional Development Procedure.
6.7 PR-AC-28: Teaching and Learning Procedure.