Teaching in focus: Niloofar Akbarian-Saravi

Name:

Niloofar Akbarian-Saravi

My pronouns:

She/her

Title:

Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Fellow

Faculty/Department/Unit:

School of Engineering and Faculty of Management

Location:

Okanagan

Year I started working at UBC:

2025

What first motivated you to become an educator?

My motivation to become an educator comes from a belief in the power of learning to transform both individuals and society. I am inspired by the responsibility of passing knowledge to the next generation and creating environments where students can challenge themselves, stay curious, and discover their potential in any field. As a woman and first-generation immigrant in STEM, I value inclusive classrooms that foster belonging and growth.

Tell us more about your work.

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer with interdisciplinary expertise spanning Applied Operations Research and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. Through purpose-driven collaborations with industry and government partners in bio-industrial manufacturing and the circular bioeconomy, I develop decision-support systems that enable organizations to make more sustainable and economically sound choices. I have taught courses on quantitative decision-making, business analytics, operations and supply chain management, and sustainability assessment methods, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications.

What inspired your particular approach to teaching?

My particular approach to teaching was inspired by my training in the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) and Teaching Development Program (TDP), where I saw how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can foster inclusion and belonging. It also stems from the interdisciplinary nature of my research, which bridges engineering and business perspectives in sustainable supply chains. I integrate industry examples from my research collaborations, refreshing my teaching while strengthening the research–practice connection.
 

What have you learned while teaching that has surprised you the most?

What has surprised me most is the impact students have on me as an educator. Their commitment, curiosity, and growth often exceed my expectations and continually reshape how I teach. I have found that learning is reciprocal; students teach one another and also teach me through their perspectives and questions. Seeing their progress and growing confidence makes each session energizing and reminds me why teaching, alongside research, is deeply fulfilling and meaningful to me.

What impact do you hope to have on your students?

I hope to foster confident, curious learners who can collaborate effectively and continue learning beyond the classroom. I emphasize peer engagement and group problem-solving, so students learn from one another and build a sense of academic community. I aim to help students discover their interests and see meaningful pathways in and beyond academia. Ultimately, I want them to leave my courses with both analytical skills and the confidence to pursue work they find fulfilling.

Are there any colleagues or mentors you’d like to acknowledge and why?

I am grateful to my colleagues at the Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute at UBC, where I have grown since 2020. I especially want to thank Dr. Abbas Milani and Dr. Taraneh Sowlati for their mentorship throughout my PhD at UBC. I also acknowledge my mentor in Iran, Dr. Masoud Rabbani, who first inspired me to pursue an academic career. Finally, I am thankful to Dr. Peyman Yousefi, my first teaching mentor, who showed me how to teach with passion and authenticity.

Learn more:

https://management.ok.ubc.ca/about/contact/niloofar-akbarian-saravi/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/niloofar-akbarian-saravi/

https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=tkzu-qAAAAAJ&hl=en