Sana’a University Faculty of Agriculture Hosts Workshop on Active Learning Strategies

*Thursday, August 27, 2026*

The Quality Assurance Unit at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment at Sana’a University organized a training workshop titled “Active Teaching and Learning Strategies.” Held under the auspices of University Rector Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bukhaiti and supervised by Prof. Huda Ali Al-Emad, Dean of the Academic Development Center and Quality Assurance, the event brought together faculty members and teaching assistants.
The workshop was facilitated by Prof. Muneer Al-Azzani, Vice Dean of the Academic Development Center and Quality Assurance and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry for Quality Affairs. It covered theoretical and practical topics aimed at enhancing instructional methods and elevating the effectiveness of higher education.
Following the opening recitation of the Holy Qur’an and the national anthem, Dr. Hesham Al-Jabali, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, welcomed attendees and emphasized the role of professional training in updating educational practices to meet quality and accreditation standards. He noted that active learning transitions the classroom from passive lecture delivery to an interactive environment where students actively participate in their education.
Prof. Abdulmajeed Bajash, Vice Dean for Quality Assurance, highlighted faculty development as essential for improving educational outcomes. He stressed that modern higher education focuses on critical thinking, analytical skills, problem-solving, and practical application, particularly in agricultural disciplines tied to laboratories, field sites, farms, factories, and community engagement.
Prof. Huda Ali Al-Emad reaffirmed that the workshop aligns with university efforts to upskill teaching staff and advance academic accreditation standards. She emphasized the need for instructors to shift from traditional lecturers to facilitators, realigning learning outcomes with practical competencies amid rapid technological advances.
Dr. Al-Azzani presented core active learning concepts, contrasting teaching strategies, methods, and styles while addressing alignment between learning outcomes, instructional techniques, and assessment methods. The session also covered integrating artificial intelligence tools into higher education and linking pedagogical development to continuous quality improvement systems.
The workshop included contributions from Dr. Abdulwasea Al-Qadasi, Head of the Academic Program Development Unit, and Dr. Houriya Al-Sabri, member of the Academic Development Center and Quality Assurance, focusing on instructor-student interaction, non-verbal communication, and aligning academic programs with labor market demands. Participants engaged in discussions on current teaching practices, implementation challenges, diversifying instructional strategies, and optimizing classroom resources to boost student engagement.
Attendees concluded by calling for sustained specialized training to reinforce quality culture and boost institutional performance.
The workshop was attended by Vice Deans Prof. Mohammed Raweh Saeed (Environmental and Community Affairs) and Dr. Amer Ali Mahdi (Student Affairs), along with department heads, faculty members, teaching assistants, graduate researchers, and quality center representatives. The initiative forms part of the Faculty’s 2025/2026 operational plan dedicated to program development, faculty training, and educational quality assurance