Dr Behrouz Emamizadeh is currently an Associate Professor, and Head of School of Mathematical Sciences. Behrouz’s research area is nonlinear partial differential equations, and his is widely known for his contributions to Rearrangement Optimization Problems (ROPs), a term coined by himself. Dr Emamizadeh’s thirty years of teaching experience in USA, UK, Iran, UAE, and China has made him a competent educator. He is an enthusiastic lecturer, and has a wonderful way of explaining difficult concepts. He is a strong supporter of the direct method of teaching mathematics, and believes over using technology in teaching mathematics would have adverse effect on learning. One student said,” When Behrouz teaches mathematics it is like he is telling a very interesting and exciting story”. Indeed, Behrouz always thinks that a math teacher must be a competent story teller.

A common belief amongst students regarding mathematics is that math is impossible, boring and useless. His teaching philosophy therefore is to prove them wrong.

Although mathematics in general is not an easy subject but many students find it impossible because they don’t know how to start tackling a math problem. To overcome this lack of skill Behrouz tells them that if they are not able to solve a problem, it is very likely that there is an easier problem that they are able to solve. In other words, the first step to tackle a math problem is to simplify it. They may have to do this more than once until the problem becomes easy enough to solve. Then they can reciprocate and gradually make the problem harder until they reach the original one.

Mathematics is based on numerous concepts. If these concepts are presented to students without motivations then it is very hard to be able to “sell” this product to our students. Therefore, Behrouz usually begins his lecture by giving real-world examples relevant to the concept he is about to introduce. To make sure students are not bored, they need to be engaged. To this end, the interactive teaching method Behrouz designed makes students more enthusiastic toward learning mathematics.

Of course, mathematics is not useless at all. If learnt properly it will help one to think more rationally, clearly organise ideas and become precise and accurate. All these are very useful traits. Also confirmed by Behrouz, decision makers in the companies are amongst those with a degree in mathematics.