Dalhousie Computer Science Professor, Srinivas Sampalli has been named as one of the prestigious 3M Teaching Fellows for 2005. He was the only Nova Scotia-based professor to be recognized this year.
3M Canada began collaborating with the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in 1986 with the creation of the 3M Teaching Fellowships. These awards recognize teaching excellence as well as educational leadership. Up to ten Fellowships are awarded each year. The award includes a citation and an invitation to participate in a three-day retreat at Chateau Montebello in Quebec. This very popular retreat provides the winners with an opportunity to share past teaching experiences and discuss new ideas.
Sampalli is known for his enthusiasm, energy, and professionalism, coupled with a profound love of teaching and of his students who reciprocate with many endorsements of him as “the greatest teacher ever.” While assuming demanding administrative duties in support of his institution's computer science program, he continues to teach five courses per year for which his students have rewarded him with an overall average teaching assessment of 4.94 out of 5 over a twelve-year period.
Sampalli is a prolific contributor to teaching workshops, panel discussions, and faculty orientation sessions. He has made major contributions to Dalhousie's faculty and student mentoring programs and currently supervises the research activities of a large group of both graduate and undergraduate students.
There are now 192 3M Teaching Fellows scattered throughout Canada representing a broad range of academic disciplines. They work individually and collaboratively to enhance teaching and learning at their own institutions and through larger collaborative initiatives supported by the Society.