The "Problem-Based Learning" workshop, organised by the Medical Education Department at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), concluded as part of a programme aimed at enhancing the educational skills of academic staff. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr Hany Atwa, Head of the Medical Education Department, who expressed his gratitude to the faculty members responsible for leading the problem-based learning sessions, while he also outlined the workshop’s objectives and highlighted key topics for discussion.

Participants received an overview of problem-based learning, its objectives and associated steps. Following the introduction, a series of consecutive sessions were conducted, comprising lectures and discussions between workshop facilitators and participants. These sessions featured several faculty members with extensive experience in educational methodologies. Notably, Dr Abdullah Ismail, Associate Professor in the Surgery Department, delivered a lecture on facilitating problem-based learning sessions, while Dr. Archana Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Medical Education Department, provided insights into evaluating students during these sessions.

Furthermore, Prof. Mohammad Hany, Head of the Family Medicine Department, led a discussion on offering effective feedback to students in problem-based learning contexts. This session incorporated various interactive activities, including practical training for a group of students from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, illustrating the role of faculty and the different facets of problem-based learning.

The workshop's aim was to improve the performance of academic staff as facilitators of self-directed learning through a problem-based approach, which is recognised as one of the most effective learning strategies in innovative medical education; an approach the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at AGU has embraced since its inception. Additionally, the workshop sought to enhance the integration of technology and practical application within lectures and ensure that the primary objectives of the educational units were met. It also aimed to facilitate constructive feedback between the parties involved to achieve the highest educational outcomes.

The sessions of the workshop attracted significant engagement from the teaching staff, culminating in an evaluation of the workshop and discussions on the application of the skills learned over the coming months, alongside potential challenges that academics may face in their implementation.