Professor Pierre Sabourin explains his approach to teaching by quoting French sculptor August Rodin: “Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.”
This explains why the recipient of the 2004 Part-Time Professor of the Year award advocates learning through ‘shared experience.’
Sabourin examplifies a professor who is able to carry the enthusiasm for his subject into the classroom and dedicate his skill as a pedagogue and communicator to his students.
His selection as Part-Time Professor of the Year for the University follows nearly 10 years of teaching e-business and management of information technology at the School of Management.
He began his academic career in 1994 upon completion of his international MBA at the University of Ottawa. Since then, he has gained experience in the field of information technology with private- and public-sector clients in Canada and on international assignments with the World Bank and others. He is currently heading a project to design and implement a performance management system for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
In the classroom, Sabourin earns the respect of his students by creating a stimulating learning experience and delivering his subject in a refreshing yet concise and practical manner. Former student Diane Lyttle says one of the most distinguishing facets of Sabourin's teaching abilities is his respect for the opinions of the students. He also offers his own hands-on experience in the business world.
“He is personally involved in the ‘nuts and bolts’ of e-business, from strategy to implementation and marketing. As such, he is able to effectively mesh the academic and practical sides of e-business, which provides him with a high level of credibility with the students,” Lyttle said.
Beyond the classroom, Sabourin has made important contributions to the School of Management's international and executive MBA programs. In designing the highly successful e-business course run by the executive MBA program in California's Silicon Valley, he applied the concept of ‘shared experience’ by having students meet entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and managers of established technology companies.
