While offering prayers:
•Imagine ALLAH is watching you, so make sure your Ruku, Sujood and every action is performed peacefully, in the right manner.
•Listen to your Qirat or even if you're reciting in a low voice try to concentrate on your Qirat.
At the graduate education level (med school, other grad school), I don't think lectures/conferences should be mandatory. The students are adults. Tell them what they must learn and later assess their knowledge. Offer them ways to learn, but let them choose their own path.