Centre for Professional Development - CPD CECOS University

At CECOS University, we believe in the continuous development of our faculty and in strengthening teaching practices with meaningful reflection and learning. This commitment guided the recent session organized by the Centre for Professional Development (CPD) on “Role of Teachers in an Islamic Society".

The session was led by Mr. Abdullah al Andalusi, an international speaker and intellectual known for his work on Islam and contemporary thought. He currently serves as the Head of the Department of Occidentology at The Quran Institute and is the co founder of The Muslim Debate Initiative. During the discussion, he highlighted the moral and spiritual responsibility of teachers, the dignity of the teaching profession in Islam, and the importance of guiding character and values alongside academic learning.

Faculty members reflected on how these ideas can be applied in their classrooms and mentorship roles. The session encouraged viewing teaching not only as a profession, but as a purposeful and meaningful contribution to shaping ethical and thoughtful communities.

Centre for Professional Development (CPD) successfully conducted an insightful and interactive session on “Academic Integrity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”.

The session was led by Prof. M. Tariq Bashir, , Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, who recently returned from the USA after participating in international professional development programs centered on academic integrity and AI. Drawing from his global experience, Prof. Tariq Bashir shared practical insights on how educators can uphold ethical standards in an era where technology continues to reshape higher education.

The session sparked meaningful discussions on how Artificial Intelligence is influencing teaching, learning, and assessment. Faculty members reflected on emerging challenges around originality, authorship, and fairness, while exploring innovative strategies to integrate AI responsibly in academic settings.

Key takeaways included:

* Understanding the evolving concept of academic honesty in the AI-driven landscape.
* Recognizing and addressing instances of academic misconduct.
* Embedding ethical AI use into teaching and learning practices.

We extend our appreciation to all faculty members who attended and contributed to this engaging dialogue. The session reaffirmed our shared commitment to promoting academic integrity, fostering responsible innovation, and ensuring that technology enhances—rather than compromises—the values of higher education.

Centre for Professional Development (CPD) hosted an engaging and insightful seminar on “How to Write and Integrate Case Studies into Teaching: From Concept to Classroom” on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

The session was conducted by Dr. Khalid Azim Khan, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, CUSIT, Peshawar. Dr. Khalid, a seasoned academician and internationally recognized Quality Assurance professional with over 25 years of experience in higher education, brought his expertise in Quality Assurance, Academic Accreditation, and Strategic Planning. His extensive research on effective learning strategies and collaborations with international accrediting agencies reflected his global experience.

The seminar highlighted the importance of case studies as powerful teaching tools that bridge theory with real-world practice. Faculty participants learned how case studies foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration—skills essential for today’s professional world.

Key topics covered included:

1. The role of case studies in enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative learning.
2. Developing and implementing case studies aligned with course and program learning outcomes.
3. Using interactive techniques, such as multimedia and group discussions, to engage students.
4. Structuring case studies with real-world relevance for maximum impact.

Participants left with practical tools and strategies to make lessons more interactive, memorable, and aligned with workplace challenges, helping students apply classroom concepts to real-life situations.

📢 CPD Training Recap – Storytelling for Strategic Communication

Centre for Professional Development (CPD) recently hosted an insightful and highly interactive session titled "Storytelling as a Strategic Communication Tool for Achieving Organizational/Personal Goals."The training explored how structured, research-backed storytelling can be used to communicate more effectively—whether in the classroom, in meetings, or during presentations. Faculty from across departments joined in to gain practical tools for making their ideas stick and their messages resonate.

The session was facilitated by Dr. Qamar Abbas, a seasoned academic, researcher, and certified trainer with over 15 years of experience. Currently serving as an AACSB Scholarly Academician at IoBM Karachi, Dr. Qamar shared real-world examples, academic research, and practical storytelling techniques grounded in leadership, behavioral science, and communication theory.

🔍 Key Highlights:
* Why storytelling matters in leadership and teaching
* How to craft narratives that clarify complex ideas
* Techniques used by effective communicators and educators
* Science behind storytelling and audience engagement
* Real-life cases and practical group activities

🎯 Why It Mattered:
Storytelling isn’t just for writers or marketers—it’s a key skill for anyone who wants to lead, teach, or influence. Faculty members left the session equipped with new tools to enhance their lectures, improve research presentations, and connect more meaningfully with students and colleagues.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to a meaningful discussion!

Centre for Professional Development (CPD) successfully hosted an insightful training session titled "Teachers as Therapists: Foundational Skills for Supporting Students in Emotional Distress" on May 21st and 22nd.

Led by the expert team from Smile Psychological Clinic, Peshawar, the session equipped faculty from various departments with practical strategies to recognize emotional distress in students, communicate empathetically, set healthy boundaries, and confidently refer students to appropriate support systems.

This engaging session empowered faculty to foster psychologically safe classroom environments and highlighted the essential role educators play in promoting student wellbeing and emotional resilience.