Empowering Teaching Assistants:
The School of Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics (STEMP), in collaboration with the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), successfully hosted the Teaching Assistants (TAs) Workshop on Saturday, 8th February 2025, at the Postgraduate Lecture Theatre. The workshop aimed to equip TAs with essential skills and knowledge to enhance their teaching, research, and professional development.
Following this, the facilitator, Krish Raj, TA in Engineering—officially opened the workshop, setting the stage for an engaging and insightful series of discussions and activities. The event then proceeded with Welcome and Opening Remarks by Professor. Bibhya Sharma, who provided an overview of the workshop objectives and agenda, emphasizing the critical role of TAs in academia and the importance of continuous professional growth.
Insightful Themes and Expert-Led Sessions
Theme 1: Professionalism and Time Management
The first session of the day focused on Professionalism and Time Management, covering key aspects such as academic integrity, ethics in academia, and effective time management strategies. Ms. Dulari Traill led an insightful discussion on Ethics in Academia, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity in teaching and research. The session also explored the USP Vision, Mission, and Values, demonstrating how ethical academic practices align with the university’s broader commitment to innovation, sustainability, and professional excellence.
A key part of the discussion centered around academic integrity, shifting the focus from merely preventing misconduct, such as cheating, plagiarism, and dishonesty, to actively promoting honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. Participants engaged in discussions on plagiarism, learning how both intentional and unintentional acts—such as copying without citation, paraphrasing without credit, and unauthorized collaboration—can undermine research and academic credibility. The session also highlighted ethical decision-making, emphasizing the importance of informed consent, where research participants must fully understand the purpose, risks, and benefits of a study before participation.
Maintaining academic integrity requires balancing ethical responsibilities with effective decision-making. The discussion highlighted confidentiality, emphasizing the protection of student and research data through secure storage and anonymity. The importance of avoiding bias in grading, curriculum development, and research interpretation was also addressed, ensuring fairness and equity in teaching and assessment. Additional ethical principles, such as beneficence and non-maleficence, reinforce the responsibility to maximize benefits and minimize harm to students and research participants. Finally, open communication and adherence to institutional research ethics through university guidelines and approval processes are essential in upholding credibility and professionalism in academia. These principles equip Teaching Assistants with the necessary skills to navigate ethical challenges while promoting fairness and integrity.
Following this, Ms. Afshana Anzeg presented on “Using Technology to Optimize Productivity and Avoiding Burnout in Academia”. This session provided valuable insights into digital tools and platforms that can help streamline academic tasks and foster collaboration. Recognizing the impact of burnout on educators, Mrs. Afshana also led a hands-on activity where TAs identified gaps within their departments related to productivity challenges and mental well-being. The session was highly interactive and encouraged participants to reflect on their work-life balance and efficiency in academia.
The discussion emphasized the signs and symptoms of burnout, including physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators such as fatigue, detachment, procrastination, and reduced motivation. Strategies to mitigate burnout included effective time management, setting boundaries, and prioritizing mental wellness. Participants were introduced to productivity-enhancing tools such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Time Boxing, and digital well-being apps, which can aid in organizing tasks, managing workloads, and improving focus. Additionally, mental health support programs, self-reflection exercises, and professional counseling were highlighted as essential components in maintaining well-being. The session concluded with a strong message that only individuals can take charge of their productivity and mental health by setting realistic goals, taking breaks, and knowing when to say no.
Theme 2: Gender in Academia
Gender Bias in Academia was an insightful session conducted by Ms. Charlotte Taylor, addressing the challenges of unconscious bias in teaching, assessment, and workplace interactions. She emphasized how gender-based discrimination can subtly influence academic settings, affecting both educators and students. The session also covered the importance of maintaining professional boundaries with students, ensuring fair and inclusive teaching practices, and adapting teaching strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners.
An important discussion in the session focused on sexual harassment and bullying at USP, including its definition, types, and reporting procedures. Sexual harassment was defined as unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile learning or working environment. Examples included inappropriate comments, physical contact, derogatory gestures, and digital harassment through messages or emails. Additionally, the session addressed gender identity harassment, which includes discriminatory remarks or actions targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The USP policies on sexual harassment and bullying were explained, outlining the university’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment while detailing the formal complaint process and available support services.
Participants were also guided on steps to take if faced with harassment. Key recommendations included remaining professional, being direct with the harasser (if safe), seeking support from a trusted person, and reporting incidents through USP’s helpline (1567). Emphasis was placed on documenting incidents, noting dates, times, and details, and ensuring that all complaints remain confidential under USP’s inquiry process. The session concluded with interactive group activities, encouraging Teaching Assistants to reflect on their roles in fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive academic environment.
Theme 3: Research and Grants
The final theme focused on Research and Grants, guiding TAs on securing funding opportunities and crafting strong research proposals. Professor. M. Rafiuddin Ahmed provided an in-depth session on Finding Funding Opportunities, introducing participants to local, regional, and international grants available in STEM and environmental research. The session emphasized the challenges of securing research funding, particularly in Fiji, where there is no dedicated government funding agency for research. Participants were introduced to various funding sources, including USP’s Research Office, Pacific Development Research Grants, and the Pacific Innovation Hub (MFAT NZ). Additionally, international opportunities such as ACU Early Career Conference Grants, Taiwan-ROC Research Grants, and the US Embassy Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program were highlighted. These grants cater to different research disciplines, providing funding for conference participation, equipment acquisition, and collaborative projects.
A key takeaway from the session was the importance of aligning research proposals with funding priorities. Many international donors do not fund purely theoretical research but prefer projects with a strong community benefit component. Therefore, applicants were advised to tailor their proposals to demonstrate their research’s impact on sustainability, innovation, or social development. Professor Ahmed also introduced additional resources such as The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada, and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), which offer grants and fellowships for young researchers. The session concluded with practical insights on navigating funding applications, ensuring that TAs are well-equipped to pursue funding opportunities effectively.
Dr. David Rohindra then conducted a session on Crafting a Strong Research Proposal, where he outlined effective strategies for developing persuasive funding applications. Attendees gained practical insights into structuring proposals, highlighting research significance, and aligning projects with funding priorities. The session emphasized that a research proposal should effectively communicate the project’s importance and demonstrate its feasibility. Dr. Rohindra also explained key elements of a well-structured proposal, including the title, introduction, review of related literature, research design, data analysis, and budgeting. The Q&A session allowed participants to clarify doubts regarding proposal development and securing research grants.
A crucial aspect discussed was the importance of formulating a strong research question. A well-defined question should be feasible, clear, significant, and ethical, guiding the research direction and setting clear boundaries. Dr. Rohindra introduced AI-powered literature review tools such as Research Rabbit, SciSpace, Elicit, and Connected Papers, which can help researchers efficiently gather and synthesize existing knowledge. Additionally, the session covered research design and methodology, outlining how to select appropriate data collection methods, analyze results, and ensure research validity. Participants were encouraged to use structured budgeting techniques when applying for grants, ensuring an accurate estimation of research costs, travel expenses, and equipment needs.
The workshop officially concluded with closing remarks from the facilitator, who thanked the speakers and participants for their engagement and contributions. Following this, the attendees and speakers proceeded for lunch, providing an opportunity for further discussions and networking.
Event Gallery: Teaching Assistants Workshop: Gallery
workshop presentation slides: https://mana.usp.ac.fj/index.php/f/1142083
