Assessing the Importance and Benefits of Continuing Professional Development to Technical University Lecturers in Ghana
Abstract:
The main objective of the study was
to find out the importance and benefits lecturers at technical university lecturers
in Ghana derive from continuing professional development. The study was qualitative
in nature, and a sample size of forty-eighty was chosen. The sample size was chosen
from two technical universities. The sample comprised six deans of faculties, six
heads of departments, and thirty-six lecturers. Two interview schedules were used
for the data collection. One of the interview schedules was used to interview the
deans and heads of departments, and the other was used to interview the lecturers.
The study revealed that CPD plays an important role for lecturers as it helps them
stay abreast with the happenings in their area of specialties. It, moreover, helps
them to stay relevant to their students so that the students explore their latent
qualities. CPD helps lecturers to gain self-confidence and self-actualization. It
equips lecturers to qualify to apply for promotions and appointments. The more the
lecturers embark on CPD, they learn the relevant skills to conduct research and
come out with innovative results which are published in recognized journals. The
benefit the lecturers enjoy is that it helps them to conduct and publish quality
results which puts them in a better position to qualify and apply for promotions
and appointments. The students benefit from CPD as it helps lecturers to acquire
innovative and better teaching methods which make lectures interesting and understanding.
It is recommended that all lecturers should make it a policy to attend at least
one CPD program a year.
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