CDTL recently hosted two important sets of workshops. The first set was a series of four dialogue sessions conducted by the University Curriculum Committee to discuss the new General Education Requirement (GER) scheme. Held on 2, 5, 14 and 16 March 2001, these sessions were attended by over 110 staff members and offered a wonderful opportunity for staff to seek clarification about the rationale behind the GER and the mechanics of its implementation. In general, participants enjoyed the frank and open discussions and found the exchange of views fruitful.

The second set consisted of a meeting between Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Chong Chi Tat and various Deans and Heads of Departments held on 21 April 2001. During this dialogue session entitled ‘Ensuring Quality of Teaching/Learning: Roles of Deans and Heads’, CDTL Deputy Director Prof K.P. Mohanan gave an overview of recent staff policy changes and curricula innovations before chairing the ensuing discussion. For more than two hours, the Deans and Heads raised questions on performance appraisal, teacher appraisal, peer review, student feedback, curricula matters, as well as service issues that Prof Chong clarified immediately where possible. With regards to problems that required further study and investigation, Prof Chong promised that these will be looked into in due course.