Program Overview

CLMS Mentorship Training Programme

The College of Law and Management Studies (CLMS) rolled out a two-day intensive training programme with staff from the Academic Monitoring and Support unit on 11 and 14 April 2022.

Programme Overview

The participants included Peer Wellness Mentors, Writing Place Tutors, Peer Academic Mentors, and Academic Development Officers. The key purpose of the training was to equip staff with skills, knowledge, and competencies to enable them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities effectively.

Training Objectives

The training mapped out crucial factors in building successful relationships that allow students to feel supported and encouraged to optimise their academic and personal development.

Training Content

The training commenced with a discussion on the roles and responsibilities of the different portfolios, challenges experienced, and lessons learnt. The sessions covered included:

• Learning Styles: encouraged participants to reflect on students' preferred ways of learning
• Basic Communication Skills: covered the essential facets of good communication
• Boundaries and Confidentiality in Relationships: highlighted the importance of these factors in helping both parties reinforce the relationship
• Working with Distressed Students: provided participants with skills and knowledge on how to manage challenges calmly and refer to the correct service providers
• Mental Health Education, Growth Mindset, Work-related skills, and Health and Wellness coaching: enabled a mindset shift to a more focused, deliberate, positive, and holistic mentoring approach

Programme Evaluation

The training was evaluated positively, with participants commenting on the value of the information and skills in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities and the interactive engagements that gave them a sense of social presence.

Programme Continuation

The collaboration will continue with the Student Counsellors facilitating debriefing sessions for mentors negotiating their current formidable role in a context defined by ongoing crises and natural disasters.