Restitution of FIPUN: A Shared Experience at ISH
On October 4, 2024, the Institut des Sciences Halieutiques (ISH) of the University of Douala in Yabassi hosted an engaging Pedagogical Café under the theme: “Restitution of the International Training in Digital University Pedagogy (FIPUN): A Sharing of Experiences.” Led by Dr. Madeleine Ngo Mback, a specialist in digital pedagogy, this event brought together teachers eager to explore new pedagogical approaches tailored to the digital age.
In the opening remarks, the Director, Professor Minette Tomedi Eyango Epse Tabi Abodo, welcomed all participants on behalf of Professor Magloire Ondoa, Rector of the University of Douala. She emphasized the importance of this program and encouraged everyone not only to listen attentively to the enriching restitution but also to contribute to fruitful and optimal exchanges.
The session continued with a presentation by Professor François Tchoumbougnang, who highlighted the essential role of teachers in creating and disseminating knowledge. He stressed the need to elevate the voices of teachers in a rapidly evolving global educational landscape. He also emphasized their role as mediators between the government, society, and the educational community, a crucial challenge given the global shortage of teachers in various sectors.
Dr. Ngo Mback then shared her expertise, emphasizing the need for teachers to embrace digital skills and adapt to hybrid teaching methods. “A teacher must constantly evolve,” she stated, illustrating her point by recounting her own journey and that of an ISH teacher who transitioned from law to digital expertise. She highlighted essential tools like the Moodle platform and the computers provided by the government to students, reinforcing the idea that digital technology broadens access to knowledge.
Three key modules structured the Pedagogical Café: drafting learning outcomes, teaching and assessment methods, and the impact of the institutional and academic context on pedagogy. The focus was on the competency-based approach (CBA), which places the student at the center of the learning process. Course design and the use of digital tools were presented as key drivers of educational transformation.
The pedagogical café concluded with a strong call for continuous innovation in teaching practices, while also acknowledging the efforts of the Director, Professor Minette Tomedi Eyango Epse Tabi Abodo, in supporting teacher training. In her closing remarks, the Director warmly praised the day’s speaker, Dr. Madeleine Ngo Mback, encouraging many of the teachers present to follow her example. She commended Dr. Mback for her dedication in seeking knowledge beyond borders, describing her efforts as “Promethean” in nature, bringing back valuable insights to advance science. This knowledge-sharing session not only fostered the exchange of experiences but also laid the foundation for a pedagogical renewal at ISH, heralding a new era of teaching at the institution.
Jean Bosco BELL
