“EDC First Training Plan – Fall 2024-2025”

The Education Development Center at Pharos University in Alexandria has completed holding the training workshops within the first training plan for the fall semester of the academic year 2024-2025 which was held from 19/10/2024 to 21/11/2024. The plan included many different workshops aimed at developing the teaching, research and soft skills of staff members and teaching assistants from various faculties in the university according to their training needs. The training plan included:

Teaching Skills Workshops:

• Scientific Presentation skills for Academics

Research Skills Workshops:

• Scientific Writing
• Reference Management Systems: Online EndNote

Artificial Intelligence & Microsoft Office Workshops:

• Using Artificial Intelligence in Education
• Advanced Level of Microsoft Office Excel & PowerPoint

“Newcomers Training Program – October 2024-2025”

In line with the efforts of Pharos University in Alexandria to build it capacities and provide its staff members and teaching assistants with the skills required in the academic field, the EDC has organized the “Newcomers Training Program” for new teaching assistants joining different faculties in Pharos University in Alexandria.
The program was held for two groups from 30/9/2024 to 3/10/2024 as well as from 15/10/2024 to 19/10/2024.
The workshops presented were titled:
1. Effective Presentation Skills (Part 1 and 2)
2. Academic Advising & Registration
3. Course Specifications
4. Classroom Management

“Using Artificial Intelligence Tools in Education (Pros and Cons)”

In line with the continuous efforts of the Education Development Center at Pharos University’s endeavor to keep pace with the ongoing development in the educational process, the EDC organized a series of workshops that were offered for the first time in the center under the title “Using Artificial Intelligence Tools in Education (Pros and Cons)”. The training program was delivered by: Associate Professor: Salma Youssef – Associate Professor – Faculty of Arts and Design, PUA and EDC Trainer.

The workshops were held on Saturday 19/10/2024 and Wednesdays 23 & 30/10/2024, for several staff members and teaching assistants from different faculties. The training program was well received by the trainees, as the program included extensive practical training on various applications of artificial intelligence in the educational process and the preparation of an academic content supported by artificial intelligence tools. In addition to discussing the challenges and ethics related to the use of artificial intelligence with students in the educational process.

“Advanced Leadership Program; Decision Dynamics for Leaders”

Within the framework of empowering academic leaders with the skills necessary to lead with excellence at Pharos University in Alexandria, the Education Development Center (EDC) organized the first workshop in the second level of the “Advanced Leadership Program” (ALP) titled: “Decision Dynamics for Leaders”, presented by ALP director: Dr. Mohamed AF Ragab on the 5th of October 2024 in training hall D017 to a group of university leaders from different faculties. The workshop introduced the participants to different tools of decision making, criteria of a good decision, decision fatigue and common biases & fallacies which might affect the quality of decision making. All of which will enable the leaders to make better effective decisions in their academic practices.

“Advanced Leadership Program; The Five Levels of Leadership”

Within the framework of empowering academic leaders with the skills necessary to lead with excellence at Pharos University in Alexandria, the Education Development Center (EDC) organized a workshop titled: “The Five Levels of Leadership”, presented by “The Advanced Leadership Program” (ALP) program director: Dr. Mohamed AF Ragab on the 26^th of September 2024 in training hall D017 to a group of nominated staff members from different faculties including: deans, vice deans and heads of departments. This workshop will conclude the first level in the ALP and paves the way for the second level which will be offered in October 2024 titled: Decision Dynamics for Leaders

New PhD Holders Program 2024-2025

In line with the efforts of Pharos University in Alexandria to build its capacities and provide its staff members with the skills required in the academic field, the EDC has organized the “New PhD Holders” Program for staff members who got their PhD degree in 2023-2024.

The program was held from 1/9/2024 to 4/9/2024. 17 participants attended from different faculties. The workshops presented were titled:

1. The optimum teaching strategy for a course
2. Sustainability in Education
3. Digital Learning (Introduction to Blackboard Platform)
4. Measurement and Assessment Principles and Tools

Advanced Communication Skills – April 2024

In collaboration with the International Relations Department, the Education Development Center (EDC) organized a four-day workshop for staff members and teaching assistants from different faculties, titled: “Advanced Communication Skills”. The workshops included two online sessions on 22^nd and 23^rd of April 2024 followed by 2 on-campus sessions on 30^th of April and 1^st of May 2024.

The workshops were presented by Dr. Leila Kassatly Rizk from the University of Saint Joseph -Beirut, who transferred her vast knowledge and experience in the field of mediation, conflict management and non-violent communication. The workshop aimed to help participants develop communication skills and methods for resolving disputes, to deal optimally and solve problems, in cases of struggling students and those who suffer from behavioral challenges. As well as shedding light on how to manage a healthy, conflict-free work environment.

Advanced Leadership Program; The Five Levels of Leadership – December 2023

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the role of academic leaders is more critical than ever. Effective leadership encompasses a range of skills and practices necessary to achieve sustained success and superior organizational performance. In this context, the Education Development Center (EDC) and Pharos University in Alexandria (PUA) introduced “The Advanced Leadership Program”, an initiative dedicated to empowering academic leaders with the skills necessary to lead with excellence.

The first workshop in the program titled: “The Five Levels of Leadership”, was presented by program director: Dr. Mohamed AF Ragab on the 12^th and 19^th of December 2024 in training hall D019, to a group of nominated staff members from different faculties including: vice deans, heads of departments and units or centers directors.

This workshop introduced the participants to leadership as a step-by-step process with discernable and definable stages as illustrated by John C. Maxwell in his book “The Five Levels of Leadership”.

Professional Diploma in Sustainability in Education – November 2023

In collaboration with the International Relations Department, the Education Development Center (EDC) at Pharos University in Alexandria, organized a series of online and on campus workshops for staff members from different faculties, titled: “Professional Diploma in Sustainability of Education”. The workshops were presented by Dr. Cormac MacMahon, Head of Finance, School of Accounting, Economics & Finance, TU-Dublin. Starting Sunday, 30^th April, 2023, to be followed with a series of online sessions on 3, 16, 24 and 30 July 2023 and finally 2 on-campus sessions on 26 and 28 November 2023. This diploma aimed to introduce the participants to sustainability, sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their incorporation in the different faculty curricula among other objectives.

TOT-1 – February 2023

Within the framework of preparing and qualifying human cadres as trainers for the Education Development Center (EDC) at Pharos University in Alexandria, the EDC organized a training program entitled “Training of Trainers-1 – TOT-1”, for a group of nominated staff members from different faculties over a period of 5 days and the workshops were held on 12, 14, 15. 16, and 18/2/2023.

The training program was delivered by: Professor Dr. Adel Al-Banna – Professor of Educational Psychology – and former Dean of the Faculty of Education, Damanhur University – and a professional international trainer from the International Board of Certified Trainers (IBCT).