Interim Teachers’ Meeting 2026 Brings Teaching, Research and International Collaboration into Focus
Interim Teachers’ Meeting 2026 Brings Teaching, Research and International Collaboration into Focus
Interim Teachers’ Meeting 2026 Brings Teaching, Research and International Collaboration into Focus
Faculty Discuss Responsible AI Use, New Research Opportunities and Innovation in the Classroom
On 25 August, Wittenborg held its annual Interim Teachers’ Meeting in Apeldoorn and online to share updates on institutional strategy, teaching delivery and upcoming milestones.
The meeting brought faculty together for the first time after the 2026 summer holidays in the Netherlands, with a programme covering education development, teaching, research, assessment, international collaboration and emerging technologies.
Wittenborg President Peter Birdsall opened the meeting with an update on strategic planning and education development, followed by teaching delivery updates from Dean Rauf Abdul. He highlighted the role of module leaders and academic domain chairs in giving faculty a clear way to contribute to the development of their modules, from content and literature to assessments.
Faculty were encouraged to raise constructive suggestions for improving modules, while continuing to use approved module guides as the basis for teaching and assessment.
The meeting then moved to research and international collaboration. Head of Research Partnerships and International Mobility Aydan Holtrigter provided an overview of Research Centre activities, including research meetings, Erasmus+ projects and international mobility opportunities.
Faculty were encouraged to make use of Wittenborg’s international partnerships and to actively explore opportunities to teach, train and collaborate abroad.
“You also don’t have to wait for it,” Holtrigter said. “If you see that there’s a moment in your calendar where you are not teaching or involved in other commitments, start looking into those opportunities.”
The Research Centre also shared updates on ongoing and upcoming projects, encouraging faculty with research ideas to get in touch and explore potential calls, partnerships and opportunities for collaboration.
Research publication was another part of the discussion. Since its introduction in 2021, Wittenborg’s research reward policy has supported 35 papers, with the first half of 2026 already the strongest year so far, with seven papers and nine researchers receiving rewards.
Rethinking assessment in the age of AI
The meeting then turned to one of the most pressing questions in education: how should assessment change as generative AI becomes part of everyday academic work?
Senior Lecturer Robert Muster led a workshop on ‘Assessment in the Age of AI’, encouraging faculty to look beyond the final product and pay greater attention to how students arrive at it.
“Instead of assessing the final product, [we should be] evaluating the iterative learning process,” Muster said.
This could mean placing greater emphasis on drafts, reflections, oral defences, presentations and peer feedback. Such approaches can give teachers a clearer picture of students’ understanding, critical thinking and ability to apply what they have learned.
The discussion also focused on responsible AI use. Rather than simply trying to prevent students from using AI, faculty explored how the technology can be incorporated into learning while keeping students actively involved in the thinking and decision-making process.
Muster also demonstrated NotebookLM, giving faculty a practical example of how emerging AI tools can be explored in an educational setting.
The conversation highlighted a broader shift towards assessment that makes the learning process more visible.
The meeting also covered the introduction of computer-based examinations and online proctoring, alongside upcoming teacher training through the TourXpeRience project. The training will give faculty hands-on experience with virtual reality tools and explore how they can be used in the classroom.
Looking ahead, faculty were also given a preview of Wittenborg’s Globalisation Forum in November, which will take place at Apenheul in Apeldoorn as well as at Wittenborg locations. The programme will bring together students, faculty and international partners for panels, keynote sessions, discussions and debating activities.
WUP 26/08/2026
by Erene Roux
©WUAS Press
Tags
#SDG17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
#Internationalisation
#internationalstudent
#Diversity
#Ethics
#research
#ResearchCentre
#Erasmus+
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