Pedagogy and Academic Development Centre (PADC)
About PADC
The Pedagogy and Academic Development Centre (PADC) is the University’s central academic unit responsible for advancing excellence in teaching, learning, and academic professionalism across all schools. The Centre provides strategic leadership in pedagogy, curriculum development, and academic capacity building, contributing directly to institutional quality enhancement and improved student learning outcomes.
Operating at the intersection of pedagogy, academic leadership, and educational innovation, PADC serves as the University’s focal point for the development, implementation, and evaluation of effective teaching and learning practices. The Centre ensures alignment with national higher education policies, including the regulations of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as well as internationally recognized quality assurance and academic development frameworks.
Our vision is to be a nationally and internationally recognized center of excellence in pedagogy and academic development, advancing inclusive, evidence-based, and research-informed teaching and learning practices that enhance institutional effectiveness, faculty development, and student success.
Our Mission is to empower educators and academic leaders to enhance teaching quality, learner engagement, and student outcomes through structured pedagogy training, professional development, and scholarly engagement. The Centre fosters high academic standards, supports curriculum innovation, and promotes continuous improvement within a robust, evidence-based quality assurance framework.
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Pedagogy Training Course
The Pedagogy Training Course is an accredited program offered by the Pedagogy and Academic Development Centre (PADC) at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH), delivered in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and certified upon successful completion.
Course Overview
The course is structured into modular units covering:
- ICT
- Research Development
- Student-centred Approach
- Innovative Pedagogical Methods and Assessment Tools
- Competency-based Education
- Entrepreneurship and university Work Environment Cooperation
Participants develop practical teaching skills, deepen pedagogical knowledge, and engage in scholarly inquiry to improve student learning outcomes.
Admission and Application Requirements
Applicants for the Pedagogy Training Course must:
- Hold a Master’s degree. If the degree was obtained outside the Kurdistan Region or Iraq, applicants must provide either:
- Official equivalency certificate, or
- A support letter from the Ministry of Higher Education confirming that the equivalency process is underway. Candidates cannot receive the Pedagogy Training Certificate until their degree equivalency process is fully completed, even if the training is completed during the six-month program.
- Provide a valid English language proficiency certificate issued within the last three years, meeting one of the following minimum requirements:
- PTE Academic: Minimum score of 52
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.0
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 59
- TOEFL PBT: Minimum score of 414
- Approved local university language center certification:
- Old-style assessment: Pre-Intermediate
- New-style / Imperial assessment: Intermediate
Course Fees
- Total Fee: 500,000 IQD
- Payment Schedule:
- First installment – before the course begins
- Second installment – after completing Module 3
Course Duration and Structure
- Duration: 6 months
- Delivery Mode: In-person (as per schedule)
Submit Application
For more details and to submit your application, please click: Apply Now
Academic Development
In addition to pedagogy certification, PADC leads a comprehensive range of academic development and enhancement initiatives, including:
Teaching and Learning Enhancement:
- Delivery of structured teaching trainings, emphasizing assessment design, evaluation strategies, and student learning outcomes
- Promotion of student-centred, inclusive, and research-informed teaching approaches
- Integration of digital technologies and innovative learning environments
Curriculum, Assessment, and Research Support:
- Curriculum design, review, and program development
- Alignment of learning outcomes, teaching strategies, and assessment methods
- Promotion of fair, transparent, and outcomes-based assessment practices
- Support for scholarship and research in teaching and learning to enhance instructional effectiveness and evidence-based educational practices
Professional Development and Scholarship:
- Professional development workshops, seminars, and short courses
- Academic induction, mentoring, and peer-learning initiatives
- Promotion of reflective practice, pedagogical research, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
- Teaching excellence events and academic knowledge-sharing forums
Activities
Pedagogy and Academic Development Centre (PADC)
University of Kurdistan Hewlêr
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: +964 750 216 2099
Location: UKH, Academic Building, S19 B
Office Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 08:30 AM – 04:30 PM