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Acting Dean Mike Smit presents the Archibald Award to Professor M. Ali Ülkü.

When students step into Professor M. Ali Ülkü’s classroom, he hopes it’s a place for them to flourish. “I try to help my students grow both academically and personally,” says Ülkü. “And create the conditions for them to ask their curious questions.”

“His face lights up”

Devotion to student growth is one of the many reasons Prof. Ülkü was honoured with the A. Gordon Archibald Teaching Excellence Award for the 2023–2024 academic year.

At a ceremony with his family, students (pictured right), and colleagues, Ülkü was celebrated for his contributions to the Faculty of Management and his devotion to students. In addition to teaching, Ülkü is founding director of the Centre for Research in Sustainable Supply Chain Analytics (CRSSCA) at Dalhousie University, which gives students the chance to collaborate with industry and conduct interdisciplinary research.

Acting Dean Mike Smit introduced this award, which he described as the “pinnacle of excellence” for faculty members. He says that when Prof. Ülkü talks about his students and their accomplishments, “his face lights up.”

“It’s my passion. I love my job.”

Made possible by a donation from the family of the late A. Gordon Archibald, the award is presented yearly to a faculty member in the Faculty of Management who, in the eyes of peers and students, displays superior teaching, exceptional attention to student needs, and excellent understanding of the subject area.

David Archibald spoke on behalf of the family. He lives in Toronto and enjoys the chance to come back to his hometown of Halifax each year to present the award, which honours his late father. He says they created this award to benefit as many students as they could, because “great teaching is a wonderful art, and it should be recognized and rewarded.”

In the award nominations, Archibald says what stuck out about Prof. Ülkü was that “students were extremely excited to go to his classes and that he would do everything he could to help them be successful.”

Prof. Ülkü says he was humbled to receive this award, and particularly delighted his students were there to celebrate with him.

“They’re very conscientious and have a thirst to grow,” says Ülkü. “It’s my passion, I love my job.”

Acting Dean Mike Smit and Professor Ali Ülkü with members of the Archibald family.