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Vancouver | Adjunct Professor, Industrial and Organizational Psychology & Applied Psychology

Hawwa Shiuna Musthafa
PhD., M.Ed., BA., B.Ed., CDP

Overview

Overview

My teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in the early lessons I learned from my mother, who was the neighbourhood’s beloved teacher. I vividly remember how she would say, “They grow from my teaching, and I honour their journey. In turn, they teach me to keep growing too.” This wisdom has guided my own journey as an educator, where I believe that teaching is a reciprocal process—one that fosters mutual growth and continuous learning. As I enter my 14th year of teaching and learning, I strive to create an environment where both my students and I are active participants in the learning process.

At Adler University, I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to work with students who are committed to social justice, mental health, and community engagement. My goal is to empower these students to become proactive problem solvers, honour the truth, and advocate for positive societal change through ethical conduct at all stances and stages of life. In a world that is increasingly complex and ever-changing, I believe that education must leave an impact to disable the continuous cycles of injustices and horrors that we see inflicted on humans. It should also be inclusive and deeply reflective. This belief drives me to continuously update and upgrade my teaching methods, integrating new research, technologies, and diverse perspectives into the curriculum. I want to help students connect their academic work with real-world issues, fostering an understanding that learning is not confined to the classroom but extends into the broader community. Their ultimate goal in life should be to make this world a better place to live than it was yesterday, and this can be achieved through continuous learning, continuous reflections, and continuous betterment of oneself.

My approach to teaching is collaborative and student-centered, designed to meet the unique needs and aspirations of Adler University students. I believe that effective education requires not only the transmission of knowledge but also the cultivation of critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to social responsibility. By engaging students in discussions, projects, and reflective practices, I aim to inspire them to see themselves as both learners and leaders, capable of making meaningful contributions to their fields and communities. I want students to know their classroom is a space where they feel empowered to explore, question, and grow. I am committed to helping Adler University students develop the skills and mindset necessary to continue their educational journeys with purpose and passion and to emerge as advocates for justice, equity, and positive change in the world.

 

Education

Education

  • Ph.D (Doctorate in Philosophy) – Curriculum studies, Teaching & Comparative Education, University of Cyprus

     

  • M.Ed (Master of Education) – Educational Leadership & Management, Bangalore University

     

  • B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) – Specializing in Teaching of Social Sciences and English, Bangalore University

     

  • B.A (Bachelor of Arts) – Specialization subjects: Psychology, English and Sociology,
    Bangalore University

     

  • Certificate of Qualification for Teachers, Ministry of Education and Childcare, BC

     

  • Career Development Professional Certificate, Langara College, BC

     

  • Personality Dimensions Level 1 Training, Langara College, BC
Professional Background

Current Positions

  • Adjunct Faculty, Adler University, British Columbia

     

  • Research Ethics board member Adler University, British Columbia

Former Positions

  • Full-time Assistant Professor, University Canada West, British Columbia
  • Adjunct Faculty, University Canada West, British Columbia
    Senior Research Fellow, The Maldives National University, Maldives
  • Assistant Professor, The Maldives National University, Maldives
  • Research Associate, The Maldives National University, Maldives
  • Research Assistant, The Maldives National University, Maldives
  • Principal / School in Charge, Billabong High International School, Dream Campus, Maldives
  • Senior Manager / Head of Development and Enterprise, Islanders Education Private Limited, Maldives
  • Curriculum Coordinator, Institute for Academic Development, Villa College, Maldives
  • Senior Lecturer / Program Coordinator BETESL, Faculty of Educational Studies, Villa College, Maldives
  • Coordinator / Instructor, Faculty of Educational Studies, Villa College, Maldives
  • Sessional Instructor / Adjunct Faculty, Villa College, Maldives
  • Sessional Instructor / Adjunct Faculty, The Maldives National University, Maldives

Professional Memberships

  • Teachers Federation, BC. Ministry of Education and Childcare B.C.
  • ISBN Distribution Oversight, Bureau of Classification, Maldives
Areas of Expertise

Areas of Expertise

  • Higher Education Instruction
  • Curriculum Development and Implementation
  • Research and Scholarly Activities
  • Educational Administration and Leadership
  • Student Mentoring and Academic and career Counselling
Awards and Recognition

Awards and Recognition

  • President’s Award for exemplary academic achievement in completing a Ph.D., The President of The Republic of Maldives, 2022
  • Exemplary Performance Award for achieving “exemplary performance” in the 2016 annual appraisal, Islanders Education Pvt Ltd, 2016

     

  • Merit-based Scholarship for a fully funded Doctorate in Philosophy program, University of Cyprus, 2011

     

  • Prof. A. C. Devegowda’s Gold Medal / Cash Prize for the 45th annual Convocation for the Master of Education Programme, Bangalore University, 2010

     

  • Dr. N.V. Thirtha Memorial Gold Medal / Cash Prize for the 45th annual Convocation for the Master of Education Programme, Bangalore University, 2010
Select Publications

Select Publications

  • Moosa, S., & Musthafa, H. S. (2024). Challenges and approaches for Agenda 2030: Perspectives from persons with disabilities of a small island context. The International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 23(1), 34-56.https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/IEJ/article/view/17151/16179

     

  • Musthafa, H. S., & Kyriakides, L. (2023). Using student ratings and external observations to detect the effects of quality of teaching on student learning outcomes: a longitudinal study in the Maldives. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 1-17.

     

  • Moosa, S., Abdul Raheem, R., Riyaz, A., Musthafa, H. S., & Naeem, A. Z. (2022). The role of social value orientation in modulating vaccine uptake in the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 9(1), 1-7.

     

  • Moosa, S., Riyaz, A., Raheem, R. A., Musthafa, H. S., and Naeem, A. Z. (2021). Social Value Orientations and Public Confidence in Institutions: A Young Democracy Under the Imprint of COVID-19. Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 13(2), 28–43. http://dx.doi. org/10.5130/ccs. v13.i2.7548.

     

  • Musthafa, H. S. & Moosa, S. (2022) Virtual Focus Group Discussions: exploring new frontiers in qualitative methods. The Maldives National Journal of Research. 10(1), 56 – 73.

     

  • Musthafa, H. S. (2022) Using the dynamic model of educational effectiveness to detect effective teaching characteristics in the Maldives. The Maldives National Journal of Research. 9(2), 7- 24.

     

  • Musthafa, H. S., Riyaz, A., Moosa, S., Abdul-Raheem, R., & Naeem, A. Z. (2020). Determinants of socioeconomic experiences during COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives. The Maldives National Journal of Research, 8(2), 84-99.

     

  • Saleem, A., Musthafa, H. S (2021) The role of length of parental leave in strengthening mother- child bond and the husband-wife relationship in the Maldives. The Maldives National Journal of Research, 9(1), 77-89.

     

  • Riyaz, A. Musthafa, H. S., Abdul-Raheem, R., & Moosa, S. (2020). Survey sampling in the time of social distancing: Experiences from quantitative research in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The Maldives National Journal of Research, 8(1), 169-192.

     

  • Adam, A. S., Ismail, A. S., Haleem, H., Raheem, R. A., Riyaz, A., Nishan, F., … & Shareef, M. (2022). Higher education challenges under COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives. In Higher Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic (pp. 62-80). Brill.
Select Presentations

Select Presentations

  • Investigating the Impact of Quality of Teaching on Student Learning Outcomes in Maldives. Paper presented at The European Conference on Educational Research, EERA, Yerevan State University, Armenia, September 2022.

     

  • Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Adult Relationships: Perceptions Through the Lens of Married People. Presented at Theveli International Conference 2022, The Maldives National University, Maldives, March 2022.

     

  • Effects of Flexible Work Arrangements on The Work Life Balance and Motivation Of Employees In The Maldives. Presented at Theveli International Conference 2022, The Maldives National University, Maldives, March 2022.

     

  • Public Perceptions and Experiences During the First Wave of the COVID-19 in the Maldives. Presented at Theveli International Conference 2021, The Maldives National University, Maldives, December 2022.
  • Effects of the Longer Parental Leave Policy on the Well-Being of Mother and Child in the Maldives. Presented at Theveli International Conference 2021, The Maldives National University, Maldives, March 2021.

     

  • Value Stability and Economic Experiences During the COVID-19 Crisis: Panel Study Data from the Maldives. Presented at The International Conference on Social Research and Innovation (ICSRI) 2022, Villa College, Maldives, June 2022.

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Adler University in Vancouver has been, like Canada itself, born and built with an open mind. Located in the midst of one of the world’s most exciting and breathtaking cities, Adler University reflects a true Canadian spirit. It’s smart, inclusive and determined to make a world of difference. By design, our Vancouver campus echoes the Adler values and intent down every hall and in every room. It is built to live, breathe and inspire those with the passion to pursue a more just society. This is where the work gets done.

At Adler Vancouver, you’ll find multiple collaborative areas with the absolute latest technology. Learning areas and windows have literally been situated to stimulate thought. To some, that may sound odd, but these things do matter. If students are given the space, opportunity and technology to achieve their goals, they are more likely to rock the boat of conventional thought.

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