(FEB NEWS) Surabaya, Tuesday 30 September 2025 – We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Wahseem Soobratty – Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia for delivering such an insightful and inspiring session at Guest Lecture Series #7, held on September 25, 2025. This lecture addressed some of the most pressing challenges in higher education today and explored innovative strategies to enhance both teaching quality and student success. Key highlights include:

1. Creative Teaching in Higher Education with an AI Twist
   Dr. Soobratty emphasized how creativity, innovation, and the integration of artificial intelligence can transform learning environments. From gamification and immersive learning experiences to AI-driven feedback and adaptive learning systems, educators are encouraged to design teaching methods that are not only engaging but also impactful in nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
2. Student Engagement Initiatives
   The session highlighted pedagogical innovations that make learning more interactive and relatable. One of the key initiatives presented was the Business Simulation, a semester-long Excel-based exercise where students manage their own business, navigate challenges, and analyze financial outcomes. This approach bridges theory and practice, promotes authentic assessment, and has already engaged more than 10,000 students globally with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
3. Student Retention by Reducing F-Ins.
   Dr. Soobratty also shared impactful practices aimed at supporting academically at-risk students. Personalized communication strategies, such as targeted emails and follow-up phone calls, have proven effective in reducing fail-incomplete (F-IN) grades and improving student retention. These initiatives not only demonstrate care and empathy but also highlight the importance of timely academic support.

Takeaways
This session underscored that:
• Teaching quality sustains universities, while research quality drives them forward.
• Personalized and innovative approaches significantly improve student motivation and retention.
• The future of higher education lies in balancing creativity, technology, and empathy.

We thank all participants for their active engagement, thoughtful questions, and meaningful discussions during the event. May the insights gained inspire continuous improvement in teaching and learning practices within our academic community.