Sunway University in Malaysia has had a staff development programme accredited by Advance HE. Their Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice (PCHE) has been developed to align with the Professional Standards Framework, as well as Malaysian Qualifications Agency requirements.
The programme’s accredited status means that participants of the programme can demonstrate they have met Descriptor 2 of the framework. Meeting Descriptor 2 of the PSF means academic staff can be recognised as Advance HE Fellows, an internationally recognised mark of high quality teaching and learning.
Annyza Tumar, Head of Academic Enhancement, said that as a not-for-profit institution that is dedicated to providing quality education to its students, Sunway University’s offering of the PGCHE programme is testimony of its commitment.
She said: “We know that academic staff need quality professional development which provide them with sustained opportunities – where they can reflect on their practice, engage with colleagues and relevant pedagogic resources, problematise and resolve teaching concerns.
"“In addition to the postgraduate certificate attainment, we also wanted the programme to result in an internationally recognised professional certification that is related to teaching and supporting students’ learning. We are very pleased to have reached this significant milestone.”
Ian Hall, Head of Membership, International at Advance HE, said: “Sunway’s commitment to developing their teaching and learning faculty is something that we at Advance HE wholeheartedly support. The PCHE programme is a fantastic marker of that commitment and we look forward to continuing to work with Sunway in the future.”
Advance HE have been working with Sunway since 2018 and they became accredited in 2020, however circumstances surrounding the global pandemic meant the programme will begin delivery in 2021. Sunway now has 36 fellows across all Fellowship categories, including seven Senior Fellows. Malaysia has the ninth highest number of fellows outside the UK, with 278 across all categories.