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CIU MAGAZINE ISSUE 10
#iThrive: Cultivating Excellence at Clarke International University
In April, we received a letter from the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) recommending Clarke International University to the Minister for the grant of a Charter. To say that we were elated is an understatement. One buzzword that had been part of our discussions at the start of the new year was “thrive”. With the letter from NCHE, thriving took center stage in the ensuing interactions with faculty and students. We recognize that this year marks a transformative chapter in the journey of Clarke International University (CIU) as we look forward to new opportunities while also embracing the empowering theme of “iThrive.” This initiative is more than a slogan; it is a commitment to fostering an environment where every member of our university community—students, faculty, and staff—can flourish. In a rapidly evolving world, thriving is not just about survival; it’s about excelling, innovating, and leading.
Higher education institutions play a pivotal role in shaping future leaders, innovators, and change-makers. For CIU to fulfill its mission of developing students for global leadership to be catalysts for transformation, and to progress in a new world of work, we must cultivate an ecosystem that supports growth at all levels. Thriving means staying ahead of educational trends, embracing innovation, and nurturing the potential within our community. It ensures we remain competitive, relevant, and capable of providing an exceptional educational experience that prepares our students for the challenges of an old and a new world.
What will iThrive look like this year?
Enriching Student Experiences
To thrive, our students need to personalize their learning journey. While faculty strive to implement learning schedules and plans that cater to individual student strengths and career aspirations, large classrooms often undermine these efforts. We want to encourage students and faculty to leverage emerging adaptive learning technologies that can enable customized resources and support, ensuring students receive the mentoring support they need while also taking ownership of their educational and leadership journeys.
We recognize that learning extends beyond the classroom. This year, the university will expand its range of extracurricular programs, including monthly leadership series with outstanding leaders (#LIT), clubs, sports, and volunteer opportunities, to foster holistic student development. We encourage students to fully participate in these activities which are designed to complement our curriculum and to help students build soft (transferrable job) skills including adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork & collaboration, time management & organization, emotional intelligence, and communication…et cetera.
Understanding the pressures students face, the university has introduced comprehensive wellness programs that address mental health, stress management, and physical well-being. This includes counseling services, wellness workshops, and fitness initiatives to ensure our students and staff are healthy and resilient.
Enhancing Teaching and Learning Strategies
In terms of teaching and learning, the university will continue to expand our capacity for innovative pedagogy that promotes active and experiential learning as well as critical thinking--essential skills in the modern workforce. This year our new partnerships with universities in Greece, Estonia, and Eastern Finland will bolster our international academic corporation and will enhance our collaborative online international learning (COIL).
Importantly, in pursuit of a comprehensive and continued Integration of Technology in Education (ITE), we hope to continue investing in advanced educational technologies, including virtual labs and interactive platforms to enrich our teaching and learning experience. This integration allows for more engaging, practical, and accessible education for all students.
Relatedly, the implementation of the student information system is well underway. By digitizing administrative processes, we can improve efficiency, reduce paper usage, streamline and expand ease of access to resources and tools needed for learning and information management, enable collaborative decision-making, and allocate resources more effectively. This includes online registration systems, digital libraries, and virtual learning and meeting platforms. To benefit fully from these systems, we must all engage in change management necessary to ensure their successful adoption.
To keep our programs and teaching relevant, the Quality Assurance Office has established regular program and curriculum review processes involving students, industry experts, and alumni feedback. This ensures that our courses meet current market demands and equip students with up-to-date knowledge and skills. Mid-semester evaluations will allow us to address emerging concerns students and faculty may have and will contribute to a more satisfying experience at CIU. We want to encourage students and faculty to fully participate in these activities to enable evidence-based amendments where necessary.
Our staff and faculty are the backbone of our institution. This year, we are committed to fostering a culture of mentorship by pairing seasoned educators with newer faculty members. Additionally, we will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to promote diverse perspectives and innovative solutions in teaching, research, and community service.
Amplifying Campuswide Engagement
As noted, at the start of this year, we established 10 Thrive Pods made up of staff and students. Each Pod is led by enthusiastic champions. Key areas to champion include (1) Research Supervision; (2) Alumni Engagement Activities; (3) Awareness, Dissemination, and Adoption of University Policies; (4) Strategic Partnership and Collaboration; (5) Events Management; (6) Internships and Placements; (7) Infrastructure Improvements; (8) Campus Facilities; (9) Curriculum Development; and (10) Strategic Planning. We hope that through the intentional engagement of these pods, our overall CIU experience will be greatly enriched. This also demonstrates the collective and continued commitment of the university to engage and empower faculty to participate in impactful and shared governance.
Embrace iThrive
Clearly, the “iThrive” initiative embodies a comprehensive approach to elevating Clarke International University to new heights of excellence. By enriching student experiences, enhancing our teaching and learning strategies, and amplifying campus-wide engagement, we are laying the foundation for a thriving community. Together, we can cultivate an environment where everyone at CIU not only succeeds but excels—empowering our students, inspiring our faculty, and solidifying our institution’s legacy of excellence.
Join us in embracing the #iThrive Spirit. Curve out your extraordinary journey toward success!
