Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Khalifa University is committed to providing academic and instructional support services to graduate students. To uphold this commitment and to enrich students’ teaching and research experiences, CTL offers structured training programs and workshop opportunities for postgraduate students.
Teaching Development for Ph.D. Students: Fundamentals of Teaching Assistance in Higher Education (GENS 700)
In collaboration with the office of Vice Provost for Education, the Center for Teaching and Learning offers multiple cohorts of fundamentals of teaching assistance in higher education (GENS 700) to Ph.D. students. This is a required, non-credit training course designed to prepare Ph.D. students for effective teaching roles in higher education, with a particular focus on STEM disciplines. This five-week course develops foundational skills in lab management, inclusive teaching, assessment design and proctoring, educational technology integration, and active learning strategies. Through guided instruction, collaborative activities, and reflective practice, students gain practical tools to foster dynamic, inclusive, and student-centered learning environments. Successful completion is recorded on the student's transcript and leads to a certificate in teaching assistance.
Teaching Certificate Course for Post Doctoral Fellow (Post Docs)
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers a Face-to-Face Teaching Certificate course for Post Docs, an 8-session course on teaching and learning best practices during the Spring and Fall semesters. The course aims to support postdocs in developing student-centered, technology-supported, and STEM-focused pedagogical skills at every stage of their teaching experiences. This course is a reflective and outcome-based program emphasizing the importance of a tridimensional level of interaction between teacher-learner-content in promoting skills development. The teaching certificate course is offered twice a year in May and November to accommodate postdocs who will be required to teach in subsequent semesters.
Professional Development through the CIRTL Network
By joining the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Network, Khalifa University (KU) became the first and only university outside North America to attain CIRTL membership, marking a significant milestone in global faculty development. Through this partnership, KU not only participates in the network but also contributes actively by offering a CIRTL-aligned training course to other universities, extending its impact beyond institutional boundaries. As a result of this alignment, all KU CTL training certificates for PhD students and Postdoctoral Fellows are now eligible at the CIRTL Associate level, ensuring that every CTL certificate carries the CIRTL stamp of approval. This recognition reflects KU’s adherence to the best international practices in STEM teaching and learning and reinforces its position as a global leader in evidence-based academic development. Please click here to learn more about all the development opportunities through the CIRTL network.
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition is an annual initiative led by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), in collaboration with the Office of the Associate Provost for Academic Operations. Adapted from the internationally recognized model developed by the University of Queensland (Australia), the 3MT challenges graduate students to present their research clearly and engagingly in three minutes or less to a non-specialist audience.
The program includes a series of interactive workshops focused on developing concise research communication, effective presentation skills, and strategies for making complex ideas accessible. Participants present their work in formative sessions, receiving feedback from peers and CTL facilitators, and are awarded a Certificate of Completion upon successful participation. Top-performing participants advance to the final competition round.
The 3MT provides a valuable opportunity for graduate students to communicate their research with clarity, confidence, and impact.
To learn more about CTL, please visit the CTL page on the KU Portal or email us at ctl@ku.ac.ae.