The Amit and Meena Chakma Awards for Exceptional Teaching by a Student for 2021 will be presented to four student teachers this year. Jeff Casello, associate vice-president, graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs, and chair of the selection committee provided the report to the University's Senate on Monday this week.
Charbel Azzi
Charbel Azzi, a PhD Candidate in Systems Design Engineering, is recognized by his students and colleagues for his exceptional teaching, enthusiasm, and accessibility. Azzi took the time and effort to develop his lectures appropriately to fit the remote teaching environment. A faculty member remarked that Azzi is “an enthusiastic and inspiring instructor, who goes the extra mile to ensure that students have the best possible learning experience in the pandemic. SYDE 182 is a very technical course that is hard to teach, but Charbel masters it.” Students prefer his approach to teaching over the textbook as it improves their conceptual understanding of the material. A colleague remarked, “I was not surprised when I learnt that students felt that Charbel should write his own textbook on Engineering Dynamics.” Azzi does not just simply teach Engineering Dynamics, “he helps students develop appropriate problem-solving skills which will help students approach any engineering problem.” As well, students pointed out that Azzi would make time outside of tutorials and office hours to help students with questions and course concerns.
Azzi has been an instructor for SYDE 182 and a TA for BME 182, and ME 321.