Preparation for new term/year

Once again, the vacation is coming to an end and time is needed to prepare for the new term. This coming term is going to be quite exciting, I believe. There are a couple of projects being lined up and I have a bit less hours than the previous semester so I'm hoping to make most of it.

First up, I've got to supervise at least one student group for FYP. Trying to see if the project of combining reconstruction of data (reduced order model) and identification (optimization) will yield a good result to build a software for criminal investigations where they can take partial fingerprints and try to match them to the fingerprints in the database without doing the minute identification. Well, we'll see how it goes but they've got till about November to make things work...I'm really hoping things will go better than last year and we may get a paper from this project.

Then, there is the action research that I'm working on with Mark. We are trying to see if the PBL approach will allow the students to better understand the concept of the shortest path algorithm. Next, Edna is back at SP and we are working on finishing up the portfolio optimization by converting it into a teaching tool for LP and aiming to publish it in Informs. We are also trying to come up with a proposal for research in interactive digital media targeted towards education. It will be a big project spanning a few years and at the moment is just at the idea stage.

You may ask if that's a lot of projects to handle but I think since in most of these cases I'll be working with others, it should be managable. As for the teaching aspect, because of the action research and the development of PO as teaching tool, I am revamping my introductory course to optimization. The course will definitely be more engaging where the students will be really doing active learning as opposed to my actually teaching them. I'm really excited.

I'll be teaching a new module on statistics. This, I'm a bit apprehensive as my command of statistics is not very strong. God willing, I will have to put a bit of effort to ensure I don't short change my students on this. Anyway, after three semesters, I'm getting comfortable with being in front of people and making a fool out of myself. :D

Here's to the new semester. May Allah give me the strength and the patience to see through my various duties. Peace.