July 1^st is a particularly important day at McMaster this year. It’s the day the University’s Centre for Leadership and Learning (CLL) officially becomes the Institute for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (MIIETL) and it is the official start date for its new leader, Arshad Ahmad.

Ahmad has been appointed McMaster’s new associate vice-president, Teaching and Learning which includes responsibility as the director of MIIETL. He was also hold a faculty position within the DeGroote School of Business.

“Arshad brings exceptional experience and expertise to these critical roles,” said provost and vice-president, Academic David Wilkinson. “Our goal is to increase McMaster’s focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning. In order to be a leader in developing new ways to teach, we will pursue research to help us determine the most successful advancements, and expand infrastructure and increase access to tools and expertise to raise the University to the highest level of pedagogical research and practice.”

Ahmad comes to McMaster from Concordia University where he is an associate professor in the Finance Department in the John Molson School of Business. His academic career has focused on pedagogical innovation, collaborative inquiry and professional development.

“I have never felt more enthusiastic nor imagined a better time for significant and sustained improvements in the quality of postsecondary education,” said Ahmad. “McMaster’s role in this transformation has deep roots. President Deane’s roadmap Forward with Integrity has inspired many, including myself. I look forward to joining the process underway for renewal and rejuvenation. I also hope to celebrate learning at all levels and support the initiatives of faculty, staff and students to make a difference to learning and teaching at McMaster.”

Ahmad is the President of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and Vice-President of The International Consortium for Educational Development consisting of 23 member organizations worldwide.

He received his MBA and PhD in Educational Psychology at McGill University. He is the recipient of several teaching and Professor of the Year awards from local and international universities. In 1992, he was recognized for leadership in teaching with a lifetime 3M National Teaching Fellowship – a program he coordinated for 10 years.