Following the recent rebranding of Learning Support as Learning Centre in September 2019, a physical Learning Centre – located on the ground floor of the library, in the Singapore campus of James Cook University  – became functional in mid-January 2020. This shift is part of the University’s efforts to improve teaching practices and encourage students to proactively seek guidance and support for enhancing their learning in their path to success and achievement.

(From left: Dr Nimrod L. Delante, Learning Advisor, Degree Programs; Ms Hwee Leng Toh-Heng, Learning Advisor, Degree Programs;
Dr Stanley Loo, Learning Advisor, Mathematics and Statistics Skills;
Ms Esther Fink, Learning Technologies Specialist)

Dr Nimrod L. Delante, Learning Advisor for Degree Programs at the Learning Centre, said, “We believe that having a physical Learning Centre in the University will help strengthen our position, enhance our presence, and amplify our voice as we do our best in delivering our activities and programs more efficiently and cohesively in a centralised location.”

He added, “We also believe that having a physical Learning Centre will strengthen the status of James Cook University in Singapore where excellence in learning and teaching is top priority.”

As a physical and interactive space, the Learning Centre comprises the six working stations of the learning advisors, designed in an open space concept. It also includes two interactive rooms – one small room where the learning advisors roster themselves for scheduled or walk-in consultations, and another discussion room for the Learning Advisor for Pathway Programs to conduct enrichment and remedial English language sessions with students of the JCU Singapore Language School, formerly known as English Language Preparatory Program or ELPP.

At 3 pm on Mondays through Fridays, these two interactive rooms merge into one room that can accommodate about 14-15 students interested in listening to and interacting with learning advisors through workshops, or seeking assistance from the EMAS (English, Mathematics, Accounting and Finance, and IT) peer tutors.

The current Learning Centre provides the team of learning advisors with a permanent presence and gives them more visibility in the University. “More importantly, the Learning Centre serves as an embodiment of the important position that the learning advisors hold – in helping students accomplish learning and achieve success,” said Dr Delante.

As learning processes grow and evolve, James Cook University in Singapore will adapt to remain relevant. That is why the Learning Centre maintains an open dialogue within the team to reflect deeply into the team’s teaching practices, and to ensure that these practices provide a nurturing teaching and learning culture so that students can achieve their full potential.

Find out more about the Learning Centre here.

Contacts

Dr Nimrod L. Delante [email protected]
Ms Hwee Leng Toh-Heng [email protected]
Media: Pinky Sibal [email protected]