Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University Launches the Fifth Cohort of the Professional Fellowship in University Teaching and Learning (PFUTL) in Partnership with the University of Turku, Finland
The Deanship of Academic Development at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) held the opening session of the fifth cohort (2025–2026) of the Professional Fellowship in University Teaching and Learning (PFUTL) program on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The program is conducted in partnership with the University of Turku, Finland, and features the participation of distinguished faculty members from 22 Saudi universities and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The PFUTL program is recognized as one of the leading professional development initiatives at both the national and regional levels. It aims to enhance faculty members’ knowledge, skills, and teaching practices, and to advance the quality of university education through the adoption of evidence-based teaching approaches and the promotion of a culture of professional excellence in teaching and learning.
This year’s cohort includes more than 90 faculty members, comprising 52 participants and 44 mentors from various Saudi universities, in addition to a participant from the Kingdom of Bahrain. This wide participation reflects the program’s expanding reach and distinguished reputation in fostering academic excellence and innovation in higher education across the region.
The fifth edition introduces two new developmental tracks: the General Track and the Advanced Track, designed to diversify professional development pathways and address the varied needs of faculty members according to their academic experience. These new tracks aim to promote continuous professional growth and enhance teaching practices within the higher education environment.
Over the past two years, the PFUTL program has achieved notable international recognition, including the QS Reimagine Education Award (2023) for excellence in educational innovation and university teaching, as well as the Recognition of Excellence Award (2025) from the University of Turku, Finland, in acknowledgment of the program’s contribution to advancing teaching quality and fostering global engagement in education and learning.
The PFUTL program aligns with Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University’s vision of building a progressive academic community that embraces global best practices in teaching and learning, and seeks to continuously develop faculty performance and professional competencies in ways that positively impact the quality of education and its outcomes, in service of national development and in support of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Deanship of Academic Development continues to implement a range of innovative programs and developmental initiatives aimed at empowering faculty members and fostering an academic environment that inspires excellence and innovation, reinforcing the university’s position as a leading institution in higher education development at both the national and international levels.
