Dr. Salim Al Araimi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the National University of Science and Technology (NU) inaugurated a workshop titled “Mastering Academic Advising Skills for Student Success” at the Caledonian Campus on 27th November 2024. The event, hosted by the College of Advanced Technology at NU, brought together faculty advisors from various NU colleges and was held in collaboration with the Arab Open University.
Spanning from 1 pm to 4 pm, the workshop aimed to equip faculty members with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide effective academic and career advising. The session emphasized the crucial role of academic advising in fostering student success, focusing on key techniques such as active listening, clear communication, and personalized approaches tailored to individual student needs.
The workshop explored strategies to address the diverse challenges faced by students while navigating academic policies and procedures. It also highlighted the integration of technology into advising practices, showcasing software tools and virtual advising techniques to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Continuous improvement through consistent assessment and feedback mechanisms was also underlined as a cornerstone of effective academic advising.
The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Kabaly P. Subrahmanian, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies at the Arab Open University, and Ms. Amani Al Balushi, Lecturer and Academic Advisor at the same faculty. The event was graced by the presence of Professor Vallavaraj Athinarayanan, Dean of the College of Advanced Technology, and Professor Ahmed Al Balushi, Dean of the College of Engineering.
Recommendations for Enhancing Academic Advising
The workshop concluded with a series of actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening NU’s academic advising framework:
- Unified Advising Practices: Standardizing academic advising practices across all NU colleges to ensure consistent, high-quality services, fostering greater student satisfaction and success.
- Technology Integration and Training: Introducing appropriate software tools (for example, Copilot, Microsoft Power Automate, Napkin) and training programs for faculty advisors to effectively utilize technological tools that automate advising processes, allowing more time for addressing complex student needs.
- Centralized Advising Resource Centre: Establishing a centralized hub for academic advising, policies, and support services, while providing training and professional development opportunities for advisors.
- Peer-to-Peer Mentoring: Creating a mentoring program to connect experienced advisors with new advisors, promoting knowledge-sharing and best practices.
- Formal Feedback Mechanism: Implementing systems to regularly collect feedback from students and advisors, ensuring the advising program adapts to the evolving needs of the university community.
Dr. Salim Al Araimi commended the efforts of the organizers and facilitators in delivering an impactful workshop, noting that these initiatives align with NU’s commitment to providing a robust and supportive learning environment. By adopting the proposed recommendations, NU aims to further enhance its academic advising system, ultimately contributing to improved student satisfaction and academic success across the institution.
