UEW French Department Holds Workshop on Efficient Language Research
The Department of French Education at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has organised a staff development workshop to revamp language research through effective supervision and assessment to promote academic excellence within the department and the university at large.
The event, held on Wednesday, 31st July 2024, at the French Education Conference Room at the South Campus, brought together experts and scholars from the university community to share insights and best practices in language research.
Dr. Allan Kwashivi Hettey, Acting Head of the Department of French Education, emphasised the importance of capacity building and mentorship for young academics. He noted that the workshop was designed to address the challenges faced by supervisors and assessors in language research, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. Dr. Hettey highlighted the collective goal of driving academic excellence and innovation through rigorous supervision and effective assessment strategies.
Prof. Imurana Awaisu Braimah, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, UEW, discussed the Graduate School's expectations from supervisors, stressing the need for supervisors to guide and mentor students to ensure quality work and academic excellence.
He described supervisors as coaches, mentors, and critics who provide constructive feedback, emphasising the importance of maintaining high standards to prevent issues like plagiarism and inadequate literature reviews. Prof. Braimah encouraged supervisors to create conducive working conditions for students, providing appropriate guidance and support.
Prof. Rebecca Akpanglo-Nartey, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages Education, UEW, led a thought-provoking discussion on balancing academic excellence with effective time management. Her presentation underscored the need for academics to prioritise tasks, manage workloads, and maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and achieve success.
She also highlighted challenges such as heavy workloads, high expectations, and the pressure to publish research. Prof. Akpanglo-Nartey recommended effective time management strategies, including prioritising tasks, using the Pomodoro technique, time blocking, and avoiding multitasking. She also stressed the importance of setting realistic goals using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Prof. Daniel Ayi-Adzimah, an associate professor of French, provided insights into the essential criteria assessors look for when evaluating theses. His presentation aimed to guide students, supervisors, and assessors in understanding the assessment process and expectations. Prof. Ayi-Adzimah emphasised the importance of clarity and specificity in problem statements, research objectives, and questions, linking these elements to the literature review and the philosophical foundation of the thesis.
He highlighted the need for a comprehensive literature review, relevant to the research problem, and evidence of a theoretical and conceptual framework. He underscored the significance of identifying a research gap and contributing to knowledge.
“Assessors, supervisors, and students must be aware of these criteria to ensure a successful thesis assessment. By understanding these expectations, students can produce high-quality research that meets the required standards,” remarked Prof. Ayi-Adzimah.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the valuable insights gained from the presentations and the contributions of their colleagues, noting the importance of such workshops in enhancing academic excellence and research quality at UEW.
