The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), at Academic Development Deanship (ADD) delivered the fourth training session for a group of faculty members at the university, titled “Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and the Promotion of Critical Thinking Skills", as part of the Academic Excellence Program (AEP), which is accredited by Advance HE in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered by the center's academic development consultant, Dr. Ola Elshurafa.

The session aimed at defining Problem-Based Learning (PBL), its principles and components, and addressing how to enhance students' critical thinking in teaching and assessment activities.

Among the most important objectives of the training sessions was to enhance the trainees' knowledge of the problem-based learning strategies and its resulting benefits on student learning; enable trainees to effectively design problem-based learning and critical thinking activities in teaching and assessment; to  reflect on evidence from the trainees practices in employing critical thinking and problem-based learning;  to identify the links between the trainees actual practice of problem-based learning and promotion of critical thinking skills and the core knowledge and professional values dimensions of the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF). ​