Dr. SOEURN Visal
Academic success is critically important for students, schools, universities and communities. Universities need to support a range of resources and services to orientate students to help and support them take their first steps to achieve their goals. Orientation programs are one of the most successful features to maximise student engagement, student retention and success rates regardless of gender, age, major, placement score, and employment status.
UP regularly conducts Orientation Programs for students and lecturers at the beginning of each academic year. COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the ways we teach students so for Semester 2, online delivery is the most effective method whilst physical classes in Cambodia are closed. The orientation sessions for both students and lecturers were prepared through online using Google Meet. During the first week of the semester II, year 2, 3, 4 and 5 students are required to attend these programs separately. The main objectives of the program for students are:
1.updates of online teaching delivery
2.the semester II study program and learning outcomes for each course
3.updated information about their career pathways
4.updates about current assessment policy and related policies
5.students “self-preparation” and study tips for upcoming semester
6.the services and responsibilities of different departments/office at UP
7.updates about learning teaching resources at UP including eLearning center and dedicated Learning Facilitators
Similarly, for full-time and part time teaching staff the main objectives of the program are
1. training on online teaching delivery, particularly using UPOP (UPs own learning system)
2. updates and training in assessment methods
3. updates on assessment policy and related policies
4. updates about university expectations for teaching staff
5. updates about the payroll process.
These orientation sessions play a role as the influential compass that leads to success outcomes for students, lecturers, university and community.
