During the last two decades Bangladesh has experienced an unprecedented growth of private and public universities. But this growth (which is in numbers) did not commensurate with the development of professionalism in teaching and creating new knowledge through conducting quality research. Only the great teachers can help to promote quality graduates. Research has indicated that competent, inspiring and informed teacher on the art and science of facilitating adult to learn is important factor for influencing student achievement. So it has become a critical issue for Bangladesh to pay adequate attention to prepare the teachers, both new and experienced, to be professional in interactive teaching and conducting research. But unfortunately, initiative to address this huge need is very much absent. Keeping this context and background in mind, the Foundation for Learning, Teaching and Research (fLTR) has taken an initiative to address this challenge of developing professional teachers at the university level of Bangladesh. The foundation has been conceived for university teachers who wish to develop their own teaching, research and gain a formal qualification for university teaching. It could benefit all university teachers, whether they are in the early stages of their teaching career, or want to revitalize their teaching, research capacity and make a wider contribution to teaching and research in their discipline. Through a focus on promoting teaching as a career at the university level, the foundation will support university graduates those who would prefer to enter into teaching profession and would like to develop teaching as their career.
Background
A consultation session on Tertiary Teaching Career Development was held on 4th May, 2015 at BRAC Center to explore the possible ways of developing professionalism in Teaching & Learning. The consultation was attended by eight Vice Chancellors and they were from University of Asia Pacific (UAP), United International University(UIU), BRAC University (BRAC-U), Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB), Eastern University(EU), University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Daffodil International University (DIU), and Green University of Bangladesh(GUB). The participants expressed their undisputed positive feeling on the need of creating of an independent consortium/institution/platform to address the needs of tertiary teaching career development.
This Foundation will work for implementation of its vision, mission, goal and objectives for the services of the people involved in education.
Goals
- Quality teaching, research and learning in higher education
- Professional excellence in teaching and research career
Values
- Learners centeredness
- Professional Development and Scholarship
- Respect, Diversity and Pluralism
- Integrity and Ethics
- Innovation and flexibility
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Discovery, inventive and innovating learning
Major Objectives
- Developing and implementing different kinds of projects/programs on curricula, teaching, learning and conducting research in higher education as decided by the Executive Board.
- Developing professional teachers, trainers, facilitators through subject capacity development initiatives and other appropriate measures.
- Creating an atmosphere to act effectively in concert with individuals’ universities, associations, institutions and organizations interested in and devoted to activities for education and such other allied activities.
- Mobilization of resources through donations, gifts, contributions or lawful subscriptions towards promoting and maintaining the objectives of the institution.