Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

VISION

The American University of Sharjah Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning aspires to promote innovative teaching for an enhanced learning experience at AUS.

MISSION

The American University of Sharjah Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning provides a welcoming environment that promotes pedagogical innovation, provides opportunities for the effective integration of technology and supports all faculty in their efforts to enhance teaching and learning.

The primary goals of CITL are aligned with the AUS institutional values:

Instructional Innovation (Transformative Student Experience)

• Cultivating a culture of classroom innovation that equips faculty members with pedagogical tools, strategies and knowledge necessary to support the integration of educational technologies that foster an inclusive and engaging learning environment for students of different backgrounds, experiences, cultures and abilities

Faculty Diversity and Inclusion (Inclusive Community)

• Providing faculty members with a mutually respectful intellectual environment in which diversity and inclusion are valued

Lifelong Learning (Intellectual Inquiry)

• Promoting professional development opportunities in teaching and learning in order to expand scholarship, lifelong learning and career growth
• Providing and transforming the intellectual academic growth and skill acquisition of our students

• Support the development, delivery and evaluation of courses and programs 
• Provide support for enhancing teaching and learning
• Support efforts to improve the assessments of learning outcomes
• Provide training and assistance with instructional pedagogies and technologies to faculty
• Provide personalized support to instructors for new and/or revised courses delivered in face-to-face, online or blended formats
• Assist in the development, use and evaluation of innovative learning environments
• Work in coordination with faculty to set effective and efficient standards for the use of learning and teaching technology tools
• Provide leadership in the development of coherent digital learning tools and platforms

The CITL Faculty Fellows Program offers five one-year fellowships to faculty members committed to improving teaching practice, exploring educational innovation and supporting faculty development across the university.

In 2025–2026, selected fellows will be aligned with one of the following strategic focus areas:

1. AI and Teaching Innovation (1–2 fellows):

The selected faculty fellow will support CITL's AI Hub initiative by exploring and promoting the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning. This includes identifying effective AI tools for classroom use, supporting faculty in adopting AI ethically and effectively, and contributing to AI-related resources, events and workshops. The fellow will help shape strategies for AI literacy among faculty and students and play a key role in planning and implementing AI Week and other related activities.

Example contributions:

• Curate and review AI tools for teaching
• Lead AI-focused workshops or demonstrations
• Collaborate on the development of faculty training materials on AI use

2. Pedagogical Excellence and Faculty Development (1–2 fellows):

This fellow will contribute to the enhancement of teaching excellence by supporting CITL’s certificate programs such as the Certificate in Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) and the Course Redesign Certificate (CRC). The fellow will also help design and facilitate workshops, lead faculty learning circles, and share evidence-based practices related to teaching effectiveness, curriculum design and learning outcomes.

Example contributions:

• Co-facilitate sessions in CTLE and CRC programs
• Design practical teaching resources for AUS faculty
• Support peer review of teaching or micro-teaching sessions

3. Call  (1 fellow):

This fellow will focus on fostering inclusive, culturally responsive and equitable teaching practices across disciplines. They will contribute to raising awareness and providing tools to help faculty effectively navigate cultural diversity in the classroom. This may include developing resources, organizing dialogues or workshops, and collaborating with other units (e.g., Academic Support Center).

Example contributions:

• Develop and share inclusive syllabus and activity templates including the Dos and Don’ts.
• Facilitate intercultural classroom management discussions
• Co-lead sessions on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), language equity or decolonizing the curriculum

Faculty Fellows will contribute to one of the program’s strategic focus areas—AI and Teaching Innovation, Pedagogical Excellence and Faculty Development, or Educational Technology Integration—and are expected to:

1. serve as liaisons between the faculty of the school/college and the CITL to promote the continuous improvement of teaching and learning
2. identify school/college specific-interest and needs for best teaching practices
3. develop a collaborative network of faculty committed to excellence in teaching and learning
4. organize and lead teaching development events such as Best Practices in Teaching and Learning Conference (BPTLC), AI Week, seminars, workshops, class observations and opening their classes to faculty colleagues
5. lead a module in the PhD teaching certification program and serve as a mentor for at least one of the PhD students, i.e., having the PhD student(s) observe their classroom and supporting the PhD student(s) with program assignments (lesson plan review, statement of teaching philosophy, teaching observation, and other LMS assignment)
6. stimulate cross-disciplinary interaction around the use of technology in promoting active learning, student-centered approaches and evidence-based teaching pedagogy
7. attend and provide support for all events organized by CITL
8. dedicate at least two hours per week (or as needed) working with CITL in some of the above activities or other activities as requested by CITL

The benefits of being a Faculty Fellow are:

• a stipend for each academic year of service
• use of CITL as a support platform for teaching and learning projects in your school/college
• the opportunity to serve up to two academic years (upon approval of their renewal application)
• priority enrollment in all CITL programs
• recognition as a Faculty Fellow and leader supported by your school/college in ways that advance your university-level service record
• the opportunity to develop a network of engaged educators to support the AUS educational mission towards a transformative student experience

If you have an interest in promoting active learning, student-centered approaches, evidence-based teaching pedagogy and academic technologies, you should apply to be a Faculty Fellow.

Fellowships require at least a one-year commitment.

How to Apply

Interested faculty should complete the application form and submit it to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Results will be announced by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2025.

The selection process will prioritize alignment with focus areas and balanced representation across colleges.

For more information, email us at [email protected].

Dr. Christopher Kaltenbach
Associate Professor of Art and Design
Department of Art and Design
 

Dr. Christopher Mark Kaltenbach is Associate Professor in the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD). He is an artist/designer and writer who has worked in interdisciplinary roles in design and design education in Australia, Canada, Japan, Macau, the United States and the UAE. His work is in permanent collections at the New Mexico State University Art Museum, USA, and at AUS. In 2024, he was invited to debut the IMR (Insect Monitoring Radar) Tower at Dubai Design Week. With over 30 essays and research papers published, his writing appears in the book Insectum published by NSCAD University, and in the book Stories from the Camera published by UNM Press, as well as in the Dutch architecture and interior design magazines MARK and FRAME, and the Australian design magazines AR and INSIDE.

Philosophy:

With almost 30 years of architecture/design studio-based teaching experience, I believe pedagogical excellence is synonymous with faculty development. To teach well and appropriately is a process that evolves throughout the career of an educator. I was once told that you can only teach what you know. This principle applies on two levels: the first pertains to the subject of instruction. The more the instructor understands the subject, her/his relationship to it, and the institution's and students’ (perceived) relationship to it, the more effective that instructor is in delivering the course content and contextualizing it within the time and place of its delivery. The second level is the faculty’s knowing of themselves. It is to understand how they teach and connect with students, which is partly dependent on their persona in relation to the learning tasks given. These cumulative factors are the medium from which the instructional subject is funneled directly to the student, this in the hopes of not just being understood but also appreciated.

Diana Audi
Senior Instructor of Mathematics and Statistics
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
 

Diana Audi, MS, is a Senior Instructor of Mathematics with over two decades of teaching experience at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and AUS. A distinguished graduate of both AUB and the Lebanese University, she has consistently ranked among the top in her field, earning national recognition for academic excellence. She has taught and coordinated a wide range of undergraduate mathematics courses, from foundational logic and geometry to advanced calculus, linear algebra and partial differential equations. Her teaching consistently receives among the highest evaluations in her department, reflecting her commitment to student success. 

Beyond the classroom, she has contributed to curriculum development, faculty committees and innovative teaching research, publishing widely on technology-enhanced learning methodologies. Her career reflects a deep dedication to making mathematics engaging, accessible and relevant to diverse learners.

Philosophy:

My teaching philosophy is centered on the belief that every student can succeed in mathematics when supported with the right tools, motivation and environment. I see teaching not simply as transferring knowledge, but as inspiring curiosity and empowering confidence. I strive to make mathematics approachable by connecting abstract concepts to real-world applications and by fostering interactive, student-centered classrooms.

Over the years, I have integrated innovative methods—such as Classpoint, AI Tools, iPads, lecture capture, MyMathLab and interactive platforms like Pull-Everywhere—to create inclusive and dynamic learning experiences. I aim to nurture both conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills, tailoring my instruction to large lectures as well as smaller seminars. 

Above all, I view teaching as an opportunity to make a lasting difference in students’ academic journeys, helping them not only master mathematics but also develop a lifelong appreciation for its power and beauty.

Dr. Eid Alotaibi
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Department of Accounting and Information Systems

Eid M. Alotaibi is an Assistant Professor of Accounting and Information Systems at AUS. His research examines the intersection of artificial intelligence, accounting information systems, ESG reporting, blockchain and audit analytics. He is a Certified Information Systems Auditor and holds certifications in data analytics from Google, Applied AI from IBM, and AI Essentials for Business from Harvard Business School. His teaching and research emphasize the integration of AI and advanced analytics into auditing and financial reporting, with a focus on automating assurance and governance.

Philosophy:

My teaching philosophy is centered on cultivating intellectual curiosity, analytical depth and professional judgement. I seek to create a rigorous and engaging academic environment that connects foundational principles with emerging technologies in accounting and auditing. I place strong value on academic integrity, critical evaluation of evidence and disciplined reasoning. By incorporating artificial intelligence and data analytics into pedagogy, I aim to prepare students to address contemporary challenges in assurance, reporting and decision-making.

Dr. Mahmoud Ismail Awad
Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering
Department of Industrial Engineering

Mahmoud Awad is an Associate Professor in the AUS Department of Industrial Engineering. He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Wayne State University, USA. He has been a certified Six Sigma Black Belt from the American Society of Quality (ASQ) and Ford Motor Company since 2002. Prior to his academic career, he worked in the industry with several organizations including Schlumberger Technology Incorporation, Case New Holland and Ford Motor Company. His areas of research and teaching interest are Six Sigma, quality and reliability engineering, and reliability centered maintenance. He has published several research papers in internationally reputed journals and conferences. Dr. Awad has held several training courses in the USA, Europe and UAE in the areas of Six Sigma, process improvement, reliability engineering, DFMEA, and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) for private and governmental organizations. 

Philosophy:

My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that engineering education should inspire critical thinking, practical problem-solving and lifelong learning. I strive to create an engaging classroom environment where theory is closely integrated with real-world applications, enabling students to connect abstract concepts with industrial practice. At AUS, I emphasize interactive learning through case studies, project-based assignments, and the use of modern computational tools to prepare students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Dr. Neslihan Bilikozen
Assistant Professor of Writing Studies
Department of English

Neslihan Bilikozen is an Assistant Professor in the AUS Department of English. She teaches undergraduate courses in academic writing, business writing and public speaking, as well as graduate courses in the MA TESOL program. She also supervises theses and mentors graduate students. She holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Exeter.

Her research focuses on critical English for Academic Purposes (EAP), examining academic literacy development in English-medium instruction contexts. Her recent work explores the integration of artificial intelligence in education, investigating how AI can enhance teaching and learning while supporting ethical practices. Her scholarship directly informs her teaching, driving a practice of innovation and critical pedagogy in the classroom.

Philosophy:

My teaching is grounded in the belief that learning is most effective when students are active participants in shaping it. I foster learner autonomy through reflection, choice and collaboration, while also creating an inclusive classroom that values diverse perspectives and encourages critical engagement. Activities such as peer reviews, guided reflections and multimodal assignments help students not only strengthen their academic writing but also build metacognitive awareness and confidence.

Reflection is central to this process. For students, it is a way to evaluate their strategies, recognize growth and take greater responsibility for their learning. For me as an instructor, reflection provides a continuous cycle of feedback and insight, enabling me to adapt my pedagogy to the evolving needs of learners. This mutual process ensures that teaching and learning remain dynamic and responsive.

Another cornerstone of my approach is critical digital literacy.  Rather than treating technology as a neutral tool, I guide students to question its implications, evaluate sources critically and use digital platforms responsibly. This has become especially urgent with the rise of generative AI, which I address by embedding opportunities for students to reflect on ethical use and practice responsible integration into their work.

My research and teaching continuously inform one another. Insights from my action research projects shape classroom practice, while student experiences inspire further inquiry. Ultimately, my goal is for students to leave not only with stronger academic skills but with the confidence and critical awareness to navigate a world where knowledge, technology and ethics constantly intersect.

Explore the highlights from Fall 2024, in which CITL hosted a series of impactful workshops and events aimed at enhancing teaching practices across AUS. From the warm welcome of new faculty to hands-on training in technology integration, these sessions provided valuable opportunities for professional growth. Key moments included workshops on "Teaching Critical Thinking," "Constructive Alignment in Course Design," and "The Best of Both Worlds: Harmonizing Human-Centered Teaching with Technologically-Driven Classrooms." In addition, we continued our Apple in Education training and introduced our partnership with Jalinga Interactive Studio to help faculty create dynamic instructional materials for hybrid and online courses. A thought-provoking panel discussion on philosophy and AI also explored the philosophical implications of AI in education. Each event offered faculty practical insights and tools to engage students and enrich the learning experience.

Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Fall 2024.

Explore the workshops and events from Spring 2024, in which CITL hosted a variety of motivating workshops and events. From the Spring 2024 New Faculty Orientation to the panel discussions, faculty engaged in opportunities to enhance their teaching practices and integrate AI tools. Notable moments include the launch of the AI Hub and the Second Annual Best Practices in Teaching and Learning Conference. Additionally, the Revamped CUT Program introduced a fresh lineup of workshops to support PhD students in the CUT program. 

Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Spring 2024.

In Fall 2023, CITL embarked on a season of educational growth, exploration and collaboration. Our lineup featured a diverse range of workshops and events designed to ignite creativity, foster effective teaching strategies, and harness the power of innovative technologies in education. These were all offered to seasoned educators and new joiners of AUS as we strive to create dynamic and engaging learning experiences for all.

Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Fall 2023.

The lineup of workshops and events held in Spring 2023 offered faculty an enriching and collaborative learning experience. Our carefully curated sessions aim to empower educators with innovative teaching strategies, cutting-edge technology integration, and a supportive community to enhance the educational landscape. As we ushered in a new season, we were thrilled to be a part of our teaching community’s professional growth as we aimed to create dynamic and engaging learning environments.

Please click here to view the lists of workshops for Spring 2023.