Professor Kathy TAKAYAMA
Center for Professional Development and Inclusive Excellence (C-Hub),
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)

In this special episode, Educator-in-Residence (EiR) for 2023 Professor Kathy Takayama shares her thoughts on peer mentorship as well as issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education. This episode is chaired by Dr LEE Li Neng, Associate Director of the Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning.

 

Part 1: Reconsidering New Paradigms of Mentorship in Higher Education

(17min 13sec)

• Understanding mentorship as a constellation, i.e. networks of mentors within a healthy ecosystem (3:36)
• On why peer mentoring circles are more effective than traditional mentoring relationships (6:31)
• On how peer mentoring circles have reaped positive learning benefits at OIST and reflecting on lessons learnt (10:39)

 

Part 2: On Inclusive Excellence and How it Cultivates Resilient Ecosystems in Higher Education

(12min 20sec) | Full Transcript

• Understanding inclusive excellence, i.e. what is required for an organisation to be fully inclusive (17:48)
• How educators can navigate the (presumed) tension between promoting inclusivity and meritocratic principles (21:32)

 

For more resources about Professor Takayama’s visit to NUS, please refer to the infographic “EiRP 2023: Key Learnings“, which captures key learning points from the various EiRP events.

 

Click on the image below to listen to the full recording of the podcast:

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Kathy TAKAYAMA is the founding Executive Director of the Center for Professional Development and Inclusive Excellence (C-Hub) at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). With extensive experience spanning over 25 years, she has led systemic transformations for capacity building to develop high-impact, inclusive, and productive educational environments in higher education. Holding degrees from esteemed institutions including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rutgers Medical School, she has received accolades such as being selected as the first international Carnegie Scholar by the Carnegie Foundation and serving as President of the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL). Throughout her career, she has held key positions at prestigious universities like Brown University and Columbia University, focusing on teaching and learning enhancement. Kathy’s expertise extends to promoting equity and inclusion in STEM fields and fostering resilience through innovative approaches like theatre-based praxis. At OIST, she spearheads comprehensive programs for professional development, mentoring, and equity building across the university community. For more details on C-Hub’s initiatives, visit: https://groups.oist.jp/c-hub Click here for a detailed bio that provides insights into her diverse experiences and her contributions.