By: ChM Dr. Yuhanis Mhd Bakri
Tanjong Malim, 13 November 2024 – Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) recently hosted an academic sharing session titled “Nurturing Hearts and Minds: The Role of Compassionate Pedagogy in Value-Based Education for Future-Ready Learners.”
The event was held in Muallim Hall, Scholar Suites, Sultan Azlan Shah Campus gathering around 70 academic staff hosted by the Centre of Academic Development.
It was an academic discourse tailored for academic staff participating in the UPSI TLAS Training Program, aiming to enhance their competencies in various facets of teaching and learning.
The talk was delivered by Director, Centre for Academic Development and Leadership Excellence (CADe-Lead), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Wan Zuhainis Saad.
She was formerly Director of the Academic Excellence Division at the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and winner of “Anugerah Akademik Negara” in 2018.
The session emphasized that beyond academic knowledge, fostering empathy, respect, and strong ethical values are essential in preparing students to become well-rounded future leaders.
Speaker highlighted the importance of integrating emotional intelligence and value-based learning strategies into the curriculum to support student growth not just intellectually, but socially and emotionally.
In addition, participants were introduced about Education for Sustainable Development along with example of approach on integrated multiple courses that use Service Learning Malaysia-University for Society or SULAM.
This initiative aligns with the university’s mission to advance innovative and meaningful educational approaches.
By investing in such value-driven strategies, UPSI continues to reinforce its commitment to producing future-ready graduates equipped not only with academic excellence but with the moral and social competencies essential in today’s dynamic world.
Participants left the session inspired, “infected” with enthusiasm and excitement of the inspirational speaker and talk. Hopefully, the participants are now equipped with new perspectives and approaches to embed compassionate pedagogy within their educational practices.