Three faculty members were honoured with Teaching & Learning Excellence awards at UCW’s Spring 2025 Convocation.
Dr. Hamed Taherdoost received the Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award, while Victor Ba Nyar Naing was the recipient of the Sessional Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award.
The Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award and Sessional Excellence in Teaching Award are given to faculty and UAP instructors who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to teaching and supporting the learning of students in the University.
A new faculty award was presented during Spring 2025 convocation. The first Sustained Research Excellence Award was presented to Dr. Mohsen Saeedi for his exemplary and impactful contributions to research.
Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award
Dr. Hamed Taherdoost is the recipient of the Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award at UCW’s Spring 2025 Convocation.
Dr. Taherdoost has been lauded for consistent community endorsements, course evaluations and student feedback that characterize him as a devoted educator committed to promoting critical thinking, fostering an inclusive learning environment, and implementing innovative teaching methods.
“Many of you are here today not just for a degree, but for a new beginning, opportunity, for hope, for a better life,” Dr. Taherdoost told the crowd at convocation before thanking his own family and the families of all the grads who supported them through their journey.
His students have noted his ability to inspire them with his life experiences, providing guidance and mentorship both in and out of the classroom
They have noted his genuine concern for their professional and academic growth. His peers have highlighted how he has empowered students to excel academically and pursue their career aspirations.
His teaching philosophy is based on “three core principles: student engagement, industry alignment and continuous innovation.”
Dr. Taherdoost considers one of the most “impactful” parts of his teaching being the “gamification of lectures” and integrating live business practices.
He also has as a prolific publishing record, with over 350 scientific articles in top-tier journals and conference proceedings and has organized and chaired many workshops and conferences and has frequently been invited as a keynote speaker.
In addition to his teaching excellence, Dr. Taherdoost is recognized as an outstanding researcher and collaborator, significantly contributing to academic endeavors at UCW.
Sessional Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award
Victor Ba Nyar Naing is the recipient of the Sessional Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award.
Victor’s teaching is distinguished by an exceptional combination of innovation, student-centered focus and a commitment to real-world application.
Victor congratulated the graduates on their hard work to reach this milestone.
“I want to leave you with this: the world you are entering is full of challenges, but remember it is also full of opportunities,” he said.
“Stay curious. Stay resilient. Ask thoughtful questions and listen actively.”
In fostering a learning environment built on inclusion and critical thinking, Victor ensures that students from all backgrounds feel supported and empowered. His students frequently commend him for his thoughtful guidance and his ability to adapt coursework based on their feedback, making them active participants in their educational journey.
During his seven years at UCW, Victor has “been driven by a single purpose: to make a meaningful difference in the UCW community and to create positive impacts in students’ lives.”
Victor believes that each student has an “inherent desire to acquire new knowledge.”
Victor Ba Nyar Naing’s unwavering dedication to student success, his innovative approach to teaching and his profound impact on the UCW community make him an exemplary recipient of this award.
Sustained Research Excellence Award
Dr. Mohsen Saeedi is the first-ever recipient of UCW’s Sustained Research Excellence Award.
Dr. Saeedi’s research is distinguished by an exceptional combination of breadth of innovation and a commitment to real-world application. His groundbreaking work on sustainability, for example, has attracted wide recognition.
Dr. Saeedi had words of wisdom to the grads, reminding them that they now have the “tools to lead in markets and movements.”
“Don’t just follow business trends, shape them. Don’t just manage change, drive it. And don’t just build careers, build legacies.”
Dr. Saeedi’s work involves researchers and students from other top universities. This allows him to mentor and guide the next generation of scholars as they begin their research journey.
Dr. Mohsen Saeedi has a PhD in Civil Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of British Columbia and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Tehran. He earned an MSc in Civil (Environmental) Engineering and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology.
His over 18 years of experience includes currently teaches graduate-level courses in the Department of Marketing, Strategy and Entrepreneurship in the MBA program at University Canada West.
Additionally, he has authored and published more than 80 refereed research journal articles, presented over 50 conference proceedings and authored two books.
Dr. Saeedi’s unwavering dedication to research of the highest calibre and his profound impact on the UCW community make him an exemplary recipient of this award.
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