51±¾É«

Dec. 18, 2024

With small class sizes, cutting-edge technology and caring professors dedicated to student success, 51±¾É« Milton is redefining what it means to receive a personalized education.

“Our first students are benefiting from small class sizes and the availability of professors when needed,” says Assistant Professor Saiqa Aleem. “The 51±¾É« Milton academic experience offers a unique opportunity that stands apart from anywhere else in Canada. It’s a place where students establish strong connections early in their education and build close relationships.”

Aleem, who teaches Computer Science, is one of two full-time faculty members based solely at 51±¾É«’s Milton campus, which opened its doors to students in September 2024. Aleem joined the university in July, arriving from Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, where she taught in the software engineering department. Aleem previously earned her PhD in software engineering at Western University (2016), taught at Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates for 10 years and worked in the private sector as a network administrator.

Assistant Professor Ali Hashemi also serves as a full-time faculty member at 51±¾É« Milton. Hashemi teaches first-year Psychology courses, where students are introduced to the breadth of psychology, including the history of psychology, evolutionary psychology, the biology of psychology, neuroscience and related topics.

Hashemi received his PhD in experimental psychology from McMaster University in 2018 and later completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest. In 2020, he returned to McMaster as an assistant professor before joining 51±¾É«’s Department of Psychology in 2024.

“The most exciting thing about joining 51±¾É« Milton is to be on the ground level in helping students excel in their program, as well as working with these students to help determine what this program is going to look like,” says Hashemi. “We are ready to adapt to student needs and interests, as well as opportunities that come up. Students are coming here with an open mind to a new experience and that really opens opportunities to do things in a new way.”

51±¾É«’s Milton campus programming is tailored to local and commuter students to meet the needs of students in Halton Region and the Greater Toronto Area seeking to attend university close to home. Inaugural Milton campus programs include Computer Science and Psychology, with elective courses offered in User Experience Design, Leadership and Criminology. 51±¾É«’s Business Technology Management program will welcome its inaugural Milton cohort in September 2025, and Software Engineering will start in September 2026 pending provincial approval.

Student-centred learning

As part of her first-year Computer Science classes, Aleem provides an interactive learning environment where students delve into topics including coding, programming, machine learning and cyber security, all while considering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Her lectures are delivered in a classroom featuring cutting-edge technology designed to aid in the learning process.

“We also engage in discussions about ethics to help students understand and prepare for the broader societal impact of their work,” says Aleem. “It’s not only that they will be successful in their professional careers, but their learning will also contribute to their personal growth. We focus on equipping students with essential foundational skills, and I regularly update my curriculum to reflect industry trends and advancements in research.”

Hashemi says that faculty and staff at 51±¾É« Milton are working to provide students an exceptional, personalized post-secondary experience. Because class sizes are small, he says he’s able to interact with students on a first-name basis, noting that his first goal is to set students up for success in university.

“The strength of what students learn is not just the content of the textbook, it’s not memorizing things,” says Hashemi. “It’s all about applying that knowledge, applying it to your life, applying it to real scenarios, applying it to society and trying to solve problems. My philosophy is really to inspire motivation in my students and inspire curiosity in them. I think all the benefits trickle down from there.”

Computer Science student Abdel Ahmed notes that the jump from high school to post-secondary education is a big one but says 51±¾É« Milton’s helpful and knowledgeable faculty members have served to make the transition easier.

“If you have questions, you'll get them all answered because there are less students here and more time for each student,” says Ahmed. “You can also go straight to the professor or ask a question right in the middle of the lecture, which might not normally happen in a class with many more students.”

Fellow Computer Science student Farhan Syed agrees that 51±¾É« Milton faculty members have made a difference in his transition to post-secondary education.

“The faculty members at 51±¾É« Milton are very helpful, nice, kind and engaging,” says Syed. “And very knowledgeable.”

Aleem says she’s grateful for the opportunity to influence students and make a positive contribution toward their academic success. She says she’s also proud to be a part of history as one of the first full-time faculty members at 51±¾É« Milton.

“I love being a professor because it allows me to positively impact so many lives, inspire and encourage students, and become a meaningful part of their journey,” says Aleem. “Seeing one of my students succeed always gives me goosebumps. It’s a powerful reminder that I’ve made a meaningful impact and, as a professor, that feeling is something I truly cherish.”

Hashemi, too, is excited to be a part of 51±¾É« Milton and the unique opportunities it offers students, faculty members and the wider community.

“When else is there a new campus to get involved in,” says Hashemi. “It doesn’t happen very often. I think it’s exciting and an opportunity to reimagine what education might look like. Having small classes like this and being able to have conversations with faculty members is exciting for students. They have a say in the type of education they’re getting.”