An Inviting Approach to Instruction
by A.J. Kleber
“Professor Nawab just seems like he puts in the extra effort to understand and connect with us, and he is definitely succeeding.”
To hear his Computational Linear Algebra students tell it, Professor S. Hamid Nawab’s approach to teaching could be a masterclass in its own right. Thanks in large part to their glowing nominations, he’s been honored with an inaugural Teaching Excellence in the Core Curriculum Award from the College of Engineering; the sixth teaching award he’s received in almost forty years at BU.
The nominations paint a picture of a dedicated educator who is less interested in exacting academic standards for their own sake, than in fostering real engagement with and enthusiasm for his subject. They speak of a professor who cares about them as individuals, using tools like humor to aid understanding and presenting an approachable manner which makes it easy and non-intimidating to ask for assistance when needed. All that, and his passion for the material is contagious.
“His teaching style has enhanced my ability to learn everything by so much that even I am surprised [by] how much I am [capable of knowing] about this subject,” marvels one student, who goes on to describe an unmatched level of participation in Nawab’s classroom. Several praise him as “understanding” and “compassionate;” the lack of emphasis on high-stakes projects and grades, comments another, “allows me to not be too stressed [so] I can focus on understanding the material.”
This superlative learning experience is especially important in a course like EK 103, one of the core requirements that all undergraduate students at the College of Engineering, across majors, must complete. Dean ad interim Elise Morgan describes the core curriculum as “critical for providing our students with the solid foundation they need for success,” both in their program and post-degree.
The positive impact an instructor like Professor Nawab can have in a student’s first year can have a lifelong effect. The competitive new award exists to recognize this important contribution.
Professor Nawab describes himself as honored to receive the award, affirming that at this point in his long and celebrated career as an educator, “it is indeed gratifying to see that I can still reach out to and influence eager and curious young minds.”