OISE to Offer a Master of Education Cohort for UAE Faculty
February 3, 2011
by: Clive Beck and Janice Spencer
This summer, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto will launch a cohort of the Master of Education in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development Program focusing on quality teaching designed for faculty who teach in the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCTs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Memorandum of Understanding for the program was signed on Wednesday, February 2nd by Dr. Farid Ohan representing the HCTs and OISE Dean, Julia O'Sullivan.
Dr. Ohan completed his Ph.D. at OISE and, for many years, was Dean at Seneca College in Toronto. In the late 1990's he moved to the UAE to become Director of two HCTs in Sharjah. While all HCT faculty have strong qualifications - at least a master's degree in their respective fields -, Dr. Ohan felt a degree focused on teaching would add strength to the faculty and approached OISE about offering such a program.
The Master of Education cohort will be based in OISE's department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (CTL). Professor Doug McDougall, CTL’s Chair, has been heavily involved in the design of the program and was critical in leading the agreement among units within the University of Toronto.
“I am very pleased to be engaged in such a worthwhile international project, and others within the University are equally enthusiastic” said Professor McDougall.
The cohort will be directed by Professor Clive Beck of the Centre for Teacher Education and Development (CTED) in CTL. Professor Beck and colleague Professor Clare Kosnik are slated to teach the first two courses in Sharjah this June. Courses will be taught in the UAE and online in the areas of curriculum development, effective teaching, student assessment, instructional technology, and teacher research.