Dr Michael Hughes’ End-of-year Visit to the English Studies Department

The end of every academic year constitutes the moment of truth in a Higher Education environment. The feelings of anxiety build as the External Examiner’s mirror is held up to reflect the progress and accomplishments, or lack thereof, of any one Department. Dr. Michael Hughes, Specialist Associate Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of Kent, UK and External Examiner of the English Studies Department, visited the International Faculty, CITY College on July 8^th and 9^th. His visit, though short, was thorough and included various meetings with staff and students, moderation of material at both MA and BA level, Examination Boards and reflective meetings on the past academic year.

Dr. Hughes met with the Head of the English Studies Department, Dr. Paschalia Patsala, who provided him with a complete and detailed account of the past academic year—ranging from course material and syllabi to actions and events, while a multi-faceted discussion took place on the progress and accomplishments of the ESD with the constructive contribution of the Director of Learning and Teaching, Prof. Petros Kefalas.

This year Dr. Hughes had the opportunity to meet with student representatives from all Levels and Programmes, who provided first-hand accounts confirming their satisfaction and appreciation of the programmes, the Department, as well as how much they enjoy the individual attention by the ESD’s enthusiastic and committed staff.

Dr Michael Hughes with MA and BA student representatives and Dr Paschalia Patsala

During this meeting, two Prize Awards were held by Dr Hughes: Ms. Iro Sapouna (Level-2 student) received a book on Language and Gender as the ‘Best Presentation’ prize for her performance in a peer-evaluated oral presentation for the purposes of the Sociolinguistics Unit. Also, Ms. Eva Kanonidou (Level-2 student) received the Student Honorary Award in recognition of her active participation in almost all aspects of the International Faculty and ESD student life and learning experience. Both students were warmly congratulated and were wished an inspiring and successful academic life!

Dr Michael Hughes with Ms. Iro Sapouna (BA Level 2)

Dr Michael Hughes with Ms. Eva Kanonidou (BA Level 2)

The overall verdict for the ESD is that it continuously strives for excellence, characterized as “a dream educational environment setup,” a notion humbling in itself as well as encouraging and uplifting. All the aforementioned constitute givens for ESD students and staff members alike, who consistently seek to maintain or follow the set standards. The positive confirmation of the ESD’s hard-work and quality leave us with feelings of satisfaction and validation amidst the end-of-the-year summer glee…

Dr Michael Hughes with ESD Academic Staff Members