PGA CDHE alumni's testimonials

Read the below from some of our alumni to get a feel of the programme from colleagues who have completed it. Some testimonials focus on the learning experience on the programme as a whole, while others share their reflections on specific aspects of it, such as assessment.

The side tab lists the home departments of all our alumni to date.

Our alumni come from:

Warwick Foundation Studies

Warwick Business School

Warwick Medical School

Warwick Manufacturing Group

School of Engineering

Economics

Chemistry

Politics and International Studies

Dr Mouzayian Khalil

This PGA had been a truly transformative experience and has significantly enhanced my curriculum design practice ever since. Although complex and time consuming, I'm proud of my design portfolio, and forever grateful for the ongoing support received from the programme tutors. Further, I have really enjoyed the opportunity of being actively involved in the programme co-evaluation, ultimately leading to meaningful changes on the programme. This not only enabled me to be part of the co-creation team, but also provided further learning experience of innovative curriculum evaluation as a bonus. I highly recommend this programme to all colleagues who teach and want to create form scratch or revise curriculums that support their students' success.

Dr Tom Ritchie

Chemistry

Hello, my name is Tom Ritchie, and I am Reader and Director of Student Experience in the Chemistry Department here at the University of Warwick. I’d like to tell you a little bit about my experience with the Peer Dialogue assessment that I completed as part of the PGA CDHE.

The purpose of this assessment was to discuss the design of our curriculum with our peers and then reflect on and critique our own. I was really lucky in my group as I was with two people who had very different approaches to designing their curricula. This enabled greater criticality, and, ultimately, much more creative, and rigorously designed curricula.

It wasn’t easy, but it's a great assignment. It helps so much with the second (and final) assessment, Design Portfolio. It's really helped me beyond that as well in terms of creating and developing a curriculum and not just in the context of this PGA. The learning and assessment on this programme equipped me with knowledge and tools I’ll now be able to apply, re-apply, critique, and share further.

Dr Fatemeh Shabhazi

Warwick Manufacturing Group

My background is in engineering and this programme gave me fantastic knowledge and skills that are now practical for my daily activities. The assignments are very much in line with what I need to do as a module and course leader, so the result of my assignment (Design Portfolio) was directly used in my job. Jo’s teaching is fantastic; she applied different methods for each session, including education, active learning, and up-to-date teaching activities.

I recommend this course 100%.

Every single reading and activity is useful and helpful for ensuring that our courses are designed properly and address the needs of all stakeholders and holders at an excellent level.

Amir Cheshmehzangi

School of Engineering

The CDHE course has been transformative for me in many ways, but the Peer Dialogue assignment stands out as particularly impactful. It played a crucial role in reshaping my perspective and enhancing my critical thinking. Engaging in meaningful discussions with peers from diverse academic backgrounds was both challenging and rewarding. I quickly realized how much I could learn from viewpoints completely different from my own. Hearing how others approach curriculum design broadened my thinking, especially when it came to adapting principles to various fields. This process highlighted the power of collaboration and how diverse perspectives can fuel creativity.

Interacting with colleagues outside my immediate field exposed me to alternative methodologies and strategies that I might not have considered on my own. This experience challenged my assumptions and encouraged me to rethink elements of curriculum development that I hadn’t previously questioned.

What I found most challenging was the level of critical analysis required—not just of my work, but of others as well. Initially, I struggled with giving feedback that was both thoughtful and constructive. It wasn’t just about identifying what worked or didn’t, but about understanding why and how improvements could be made. I had to constantly reflect on my own assumptions, which sharpened my evaluative skills. The exchange of ideas wasn’t just about providing feedback; it was also about learning to listen and reflect on how different disciplines tackle similar educational challenges. This dialogue became a turning point for me, making me more reflective in both my learning and professional practice. It also greatly improved my ability to offer constructive, contextually relevant feedback.

Looking back, the Peer Dialogue equipped me with tools I didn’t know I needed, such as approaching curriculum design with greater critical thinking and openness to new methods. Honestly, the most valuable part of the experience was learning to truly listen to others’ feedback and ideas. This wasn’t just about my development, but about contributing to a shared learning experience that will influence how I approach teaching in the future. The assignment offered an invaluable opportunity to critically assess and evaluate different pedagogical approaches, and I know it will have a lasting impact on my career in higher education.

Yiduo Wang

Warwick Manufacturing Group

For me, participating in the PGA CDHE was challenging and fulfilling as I did not have much design experience prior to enrolling onto the programme. The module tutor’s unwavering support helped me overcome challenges and go through the learning journey, from stakeholder considerations to step-by-step curriculum design, evaluation, and reflective practice. This systematic approach directly improved my curriculum design, creating a more engaging learning environment and improving student outcomes.

After the PGA, I actively contributed to its co-evaluation, improving the programme while gaining deeper insights into curriculum evaluation and development. The programme also fostered a sense of community, connecting us through a supportive network. I continue to see the value of this learning since I aim to turn my design into impactful teaching and learning initiatives. I highly recommend the PGA CDHE to anyone involved in curriculum design at a module or programme level - it is an exceptional experience for advancing inclusive and effective teaching and learning.

Dr Mücahit Özden

Warwick Manufacturing Group

The course provided an excellent foundation for understanding curriculum design as a dynamic, social practice and it changed the way I see curriculum design in a positive way. By encouraging critical discussions and hands-on design, there was space for both individual, collaborative growth and co-creation. I highly recommend this course, whether you are an early-career academic or experienced.