Fostering Innovative Teaching Competencies in Industrial Design: A Malaysian Higher Education Perspective

This study explores the development of innovative teaching competencies among lecturers in Industrial Design within the context of Malaysia higher education. As the design education continually evolves with the technological advancement, it is essential for educators to adopt innovative and adaptable teaching strategies. The research focuses on identifying the key competencies of lecturers in industrial design education to effectively fostering creativity, critical thinking and innovation in their students. This study adopted qualitative approaches by employing the Behavioral Event Interview (BEI) method to gather in-depth insights from ten experienced design experts in Malaysia. The BEI techniques were used to explore the attitudes, behaviors, and experiences of these experts in relation to teaching practices and competency development. The findings highlighted a range of competencies required by the lectures in industrial design education, including dynamic knowledge of design technologies, ability to nurture transferable skills, and proficiency in using educational technologies. Based on the findings, a competency framework tailored for Industrial Design educators in Malaysia is developed to guide the professional development of lecturers, enhance teaching effectiveness and improve the quality of design education in Malaysia higher education.