Jiamin Liu


Highest qualification

MA in Arts

What do you teach at FIC?

Principle Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

What do you like most about the subject?

Interesting, basic yet applicable to the real world

How would you describe your teaching style?

Motivational, encouraging and patient

Where else have you worked?

VCC, SFU

What else can you tell us about yourself?

I forget about each and every movie that I watch, so it's like watching a new movie every time I re-watch something

Your tip for university success:

Chance favors the prepared mind

Kate Tairyan


Highest qualification

Medical Doctor (MD); Master of Public Health (MPH)

What do you teach at FIC?

Global Perspectives on Health (HSCI160)

What do you like most about the subject?

Dynamic and engaging topics that concern everyone and unite everyone regardless of the income, ethnicity, culture and everything else that makes us different. I believe that the students who take this course become better global citizens.

How would you describe your teaching style?

I think the relaxed and supportive learning environment is the trademark here. Positive learning experience is only possible when there is trust, fun and interest shared between the students and the instructor.

Charles Pace


Highest qualification

MA (English)

What do you like most about the subject?

The combination of different cultural perspectives and paradigms offered

How would you describe your teaching style?

A combination of lecturing, writing skills and student activities

What else can you tell us about yourself?

I love the outdoors gardening & fishing! Writing and reading poetry during the winter.

Your tip for success at FIC:

Work at improving writing skills gradually rather than all at once. Learn to schedule to avoid feeling overwhelmed by homework. Take advantage of the awesome staff, instructors & the small class sizes.

Nessim Tariq


Highest qualification

Ph.D

What do you like most about the subject?

Power of math to solve diverse problems

How would you describe your teaching style?

Sensitive, open, friendly, considerate to students difficulties

Where else have you worked?

Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia

Your favourite movie?

Forrest Gump

What else can you tell us about yourself?

Walking, reading, travelling

Your tip for university success:

Fully participate in all FIC activities, work hard and play hard, use your time well

Sam Thiara


Highest qualification

MA Leadership Studies

What do you like most about the subject?

It is qualitative and allows people to start thinking about an organization more than just numbers and process. It brings in the human element and they learn more about themselves as well.

How would you describe your teaching style?

Participative. I enjoy interacting with the students. I try to incorporate lecture and group work so you can help many different types of student learners.

Where else have you worked?

I work at SFU’s Beedie School of Business but have also worked at the Vancouver 2010 Bid Committee to bring the Winter Olympics to Vancouver and ICBC Road Safety and Claims. Have also been a part of, and volunteered for 20+ volunteer organizations.

Your favourite movie?

To Sir With Love

What else can you tell us about yourself?

I believe we all have stories to tell and write. I always tell people that my favourite saying is: Everyone’s life is an autobiograph but you have to make yours worth reading.

Your tip for university success:

Come in with an open mind. Don’t worry about competing against the others and instead, compete with yourself. Instead of competing, differentiate yourself so you standout in a positive way.

Stephen Zillwood


Highest qualification

MA

What do you like most about the subject?

The chance to teach a new generation the joys of reading

How would you describe your teaching style?

Open, seminar style, with lots of student interaction

Where else have you worked?

Simon Fraser University

Your favourite movie?

Anything by Luc Beson

What else can you tell us about yourself?

I am also a writer and hope to publish soon.

Your tip for university success:

No matter why you come to FIC, use your time here to improve yourself.

Steve Gibson


Highest qualification

Master of Business Administration

How would you describe your teaching style?

Firstly, I don’t try to make every student an accountant. I try give students an appreciation of accounting and how it will help them in business. They can decide on a career choice later.

I also strongly encourage students to work together in class and help each other succeed. I try to bring some humour to the class…I am probably less funny than I think but I try.

What do you like most about the subject?

Accounting is the language of business and no matter what area of business students pursue, they will benefit from accounting knowledge. Financial statements allow us to look behind the headlines of companies like Google and General Motors to see if the numbers tell the same story.

Where else have you worked?

Simon Fraser University, Carleton University and The University of Ottawa as well as in different private sectors of business. I still work in the private sector so I am applying what I teach. I have taught and worked in the areas of marketing, finance , accounting, management and operations.

What else can you tell us about yourself?

I spend my weekends riding my Harley Davidson motorcycle or sailing in the Gulf Islands. I have two boys- one in his second year of University.

Your tip for university success:

FIC is a great way to start your University education. Come prepared to be challenged, and a bit confused. Education abroad is a fantastic opportunity that I wish, as a student, I would have taken. To get the most out of your experience you need to participate and engage both socially and academically.

Mary Lou Moyer


Highest qualification

BFA, CELTA

How would you describe your teaching style?

My teaching style is a series of short presentation style lectures, each followed by activities that practice and extend the skills in the lecture and include a weekly assessment of skills. Humour is readily exploited.

What do you like most about the subject?

Young international students need help, and I enjoy helping them.

Where else have you worked?

I spent 10 glorious years working in Japan, and after returning to Canada, spent 10 years working in Canadian colleges including Columbia College, Vancouver, and Douglas College, Surrey.