Jakarta, INTI - Monash University Indonesia is strengthening faculty development through its Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) 2026, an initiative designed to enhance teaching quality in response to rapid technological advancements, including the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).
The program aims to equip lecturers with the skills needed to create more inclusive, adaptive, and student-centered learning experiences. Beyond serving as a platform for professional reflection, TEP 2026 also encourages collaboration among faculty members to develop teaching approaches that are more relevant to contemporary educational needs.
Unlike conventional teaching development programs, TEP 2026 integrates authentic assessment, dialogic feedback, and the responsible use of digital technologies, including AI, to support meaningful learning and improve student engagement.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Monash Education Academy in Australia, the Education & Training Academy of Monash University Malaysia, and the Learning & Teaching Operations team at Monash University Indonesia.
Preparing Educators for a Changing Higher Education Landscape
As expectations for higher education continue to evolve, strengthening teaching capabilities has become increasingly important. According to data from Indonesia's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, approximately 25% of university lecturers hold doctoral degrees, while around 71–72% have master's degrees. These figures highlight that improving higher education quality depends not only on academic qualifications but also on continuous professional development in teaching.
Through TEP 2026, lecturers are encouraged to evaluate their teaching practices, redesign learning experiences around student needs, and leverage AI as a tool to enhance critical thinking, reasoning, and academic integrity rather than simply automate learning.
The program also addresses one of academia's long-standing challenges, balancing research responsibilities with teaching excellence. While research output remains a key indicator of academic career progression, universities are placing greater emphasis on improving graduate outcomes, making high-quality teaching increasingly strategic.
Teaching That Transforms
As part of its learning framework, TEP 2026 promotes authentic assessment to ensure coursework reflects real-world professional contexts. Meanwhile, dialogic feedback strengthens two-way communication between lecturers and students, creating a more interactive and engaging learning environment beyond traditional classroom instruction.
These approaches align with Monash University's global Teaching that Transforms initiative, which positions educators as facilitators who help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and future-ready competencies.
In practice, Associate Professor Claudia Stoicescu from the Public Health discipline applies experiential learning, real-world simulations, and teaching methods centered on equity and social justice. Meanwhile, Dr. Harriman Saragih integrates industry case studies into his courses, enabling students to connect academic theory with professional practice through the concept of pracademics.
Professor Matthew Nicholson, President of Monash University Indonesia, emphasized that educational excellence begins with high-quality educators. He said TEP 2026 reflects the university's commitment to supporting adaptive and future-oriented teaching practices that respond to technological developments, including AI.
"We believe that educational quality begins with the quality of educators. Through the Teaching Excellence Program 2026, we support our faculty in developing reflective, adaptive, and relevant teaching practices, including responding to the rapid advancement of AI," Nicholson said.
Through TEP 2026, Monash University Indonesia aims to strengthen the quality of higher education by continuously enhancing faculty capabilities. The university expects the initiative to produce graduates who possess not only strong academic knowledge but also critical thinking skills, adaptability, and the competencies needed to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven workforce.
Conclusion
Through the Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) 2026, Monash University Indonesia is reinforcing its commitment to future-ready education by equipping faculty with innovative teaching practices and responsible AI integration. The initiative aims to enhance learning quality while preparing graduates with the critical thinking, adaptability, and skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven world.
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