Instructor Spotlight: Saeed Nejatian – Sustainability program

Sustainability is a popular topic these days as individuals, communities and businesses strive to improve their practices and policies. It is a social goal for people to co-exist on Earth over a long time. It is the practice of using natural resources responsibly today, so they are available for future generations tomorrow.

Saeed (Sam) Nejatian is an instructor for the Sustainability program at McMaster Continuing Education. He has a PhD. in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, MA., and has over 20 professional certifications and diplomas with extensive working experience with various industries in North America.

We asked Sam some questions about his background, his teaching philosophy, and about the courses he teaches. Here is what he shared with us.

What made you want to become an instructor with McMaster Continuing Education and what do you teach?

McMaster is one of the most known and well-respected academic institutions in the world. I am delighted to be part of the team at McMaster University Continuing Education. I am an instructor for Sustainability Management and Leadership Essentials (Micro-credential program).

Who would benefit from taking this program?

Our sustainability program at McMaster Continuing Education is developed to raise awareness for people who care about our environment’s well-being with a balanced social system and a strong economy without using the resources of the next generation. This should apply to all inhabitants of planet Earth. The impacts of Sustainability Management, Sustainable development and sustainable living are upon all of us who care to preserve the Earth’s natural resources.

What will students learn from taking the Sustainability program at McMaster Continuing Education?

Our students will learn that maintaining a healthy environmental climate is crucial to the future of humanity. Our students as our future leaders will be tasked with learning and being ready to address social, economic, and environmental sustainability in creative ways. Our sustainability teaching at McMaster Continuing Education is a “combination of content, learning methods, and outcomes that helps students develop a knowledge base about the environment, the economy, and society, in addition to helping them learn skills, perspectives, and values that guide and motivate them to seek sustainable livelihoods, participate in a democratic society, and live in a sustainable manner.”

What is your mission as an instructor, and how do you help your students become sustainability-minded leaders?

I look at my job as an instructor to create future leaders for our beloved country by transforming what I have learned for the younger generation. I engage with my students our future leaders of tomorrow who are responsible, competent, caring, smart and have a global vision on matters related to Earth. I help my students to understand the relationship among economic, environmental, and social factors to make informed decisions later in life. I encourage my students to participate in long-term, real-life projects that prompt them to answer complex questions using knowledge from a variety of disciplines in our four sustainability courses. I teach them to be responsible citizens and never allow economic and financial gains to be the main part of our decision-making process.

Do you have any advice or tips for students?

Promote awareness. Become more engaged and contribute toward sustainable living principles and practices. Become a responsible citizen and help in protecting our earth for ourselves and our future generations. Humans have done so much damage to the Earth over the years. The time has come for us to fix those damages and prolong human existence. I would like my students to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills for addressing sustainability challenges.

­­­Learn more about the McMaster Continuing Education Sustainability program and courses.