2024 Excellence in Education Award Recipient

Professional engineer Dr. Ahmad Ghasemloonia stands before undergraduate students in his third-year machine dynamics class holding a 3D-printed model of a fish jaw—a real-life example of forces and motion. Using demonstration tools is one of his favourite teaching strategies. They can help students get a better grasp on fundamental ideas, like the principles of design and analysis. This is critical to their success at university and as future engineering professionals.

“Visualization gives students a deeper understanding of theoretical knowledge and how these foundational concepts can be creatively applied to solve real-world engineering problems,” explains Dr. Ghasemloonia, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering.

Active learning and student engagement are at the heart of Dr. Ghasemloonia’s student-centred teaching philosophy. He encourages meaningful discussion and participation in his lectures, building students’ confidence and teaching them to learn through inquiry: ask questions, carefully analyze every problem, then develop step-by-step solutions.

To further enhance learning outcomes, he developed comprehensive course packages. He encourages collaborative learning experiences to promote teamwork and grow students’ communication and critical thinking skills. He also sets generous office hours and has an open-door policy—students are always welcome to drop by his office for extra support and guidance.

Dr. Ghasemloonia continually adapts his teaching techniques to meet the different learning styles and needs of his students. He’s completed more than 400 hours of professional development to improve his skills as an educator. He also surveys students mid-semester and makes concrete changes based on their feedback. His dedication to their success is noticed—his student rating scores are consistently in the top percentile. As one student wrote, “His efforts to deliver an immersive, challenging, yet inclusive space for all individuals to learn is unprecedented.”

Dr. Ghasemloonia’s pursuit of educational excellence and leadership extends far outside the classroom. He serves as Schulich’s associate dean of student success and interdisciplinary academic programs and has shared his scholarly research findings with other instructors at numerous conferences and workshops. As the academic coordinator of the school’s first-year program, Schulich Studio, he collaborates with a group of 10 course coordinators, 40 faculty, and 150 teaching assistants in delivering courses to 1,000 students.

Awards and Distinctions

• McCaig-Killam Teaching Award (2023)
• Schulich Momentum Award, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary (2023)
• Teaching Excellence Award, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary (2023; 2018)
• Graduation Banquet Teaching Excellence Award, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary (2021; 2020)
• Mechanical Engineering Professor of the Year Award, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary (2020; 2019)
• Teaching Achievement Award, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary (2020; 2019; 2018; 2017)
• Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary (2018; 2017)

Professional Affiliations and Activities

• Associate Dean, Student Success and Interdisciplinary Academic Programs, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary (2021–present)
• Assistant Dean, Students and Academic Programs, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary (2020–2021)
• Member, APEGA (2015–present); PEGNL (2013–2015)