My experience with Senior University Teaching Qualifications

I am very happy to to share that yesterday I completed successfully the Senior University Teaching Qualification (SUTQ) at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University

This is my second Senior Teaching Qualification, after achieving the status of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) back in 2019. Advance HE

Through this post, I would like to reflect on the learning experience and benefits that both trajectories offer to academic leaders in the field of teaching and/or educational research.

The Senior Fellowship journey

From day 1, I received fast and concise information about the Fellowships of the Higher Education Academy (now called Advanced HE). The people I talked to helped me understand which category of Fellowship most closely reflects my current practice and my ongoing professional development and career aspirations. Now, there is even a digital tool for such self-assessment:

https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/form/fellowship-decision-tool-2023

Their very detailed and evidence-based Professional Standards Framework helped me collect the evidence needed for this level. During the process of collecting evidence from my professional experience I had the opportunity to work with two coaches and receive very detailed and constructive feedback on my progress. I also reached out to academic leaders I collaborated over the last years, who had to prepare an extensive reflective report on my activity and professional milestones in relation to the professional standards framework.

Always grateful for your support Rajesh Dhimar Professor Sally Bradley PhD PFHEA SFSEDA FIoL Dr Sarah Floyd BSc (HONS) PhD PGCE PFHEA

Time I spent in this process: 9 months (it varies per person and hours you put in, but I strongly encourage enough time for in-depth reflection and documentation of the evidences)

Benefits: Enhanced Professional Standing (international recognition); in-depth reflective practice; networking opportunities with thousands Fellows in the UK and around the world.

The Senior University Teaching Qualification journey (SUTQ)

As a new Faculty member at 荷兰鹿特丹大学 it was amazing to be guided by Risbo, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam consultants and trainers on the goals of the program and the competencies to be developed. I had the opportunity to focus on a current education project I was leading; I attended several workshops and master classes on different topics (pedagogy, coaching, leadership, etc.) and received ongoing feedback from my mentor. The most important part of this journey for me was the peer feedback sessions with other senior academic staff different Schools and Departments. This exchange of good practice, sharing of concerns, struggles and different “realities” was such an enriching process! The whole process was documented through a reflective portfolio and the creation of a poster, which was showcased at a special event towards the end of the journey. I was lucky enough to publish my experience as an article, which was accepted at the 15th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies (to be celebrated in less than a month).

Time I spent in this process: 9 months

Benefits: National recognition, better understanding of internal processes, stakeholders and practices, career progression, networking within own organization, in-depth reflective practice.

Special thanks to my mentor Joost Maarschalkerweerd and all the RISBO colleagues I worked with Remy Fermont Sandra Lousberg Mandy Hollander I am sure our paths will cross again, soon!

I strongly recommend both opportunities for professional growth and recognition. Ongoing training and actualization of existing knowledge is always needed, even for people with great experience and academic qualifications. As for embracing the chance to reflect (and, especially self-reflect), it makes us better people and professionals!