Get to know...Sary Abulmona

This month, we're excited to highlight Sary Abulmona, Curriculum Coordinator with the Office of Education. We learn about his favourite travel destination, hobbies and his best advice for new colleagues!

What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t know?

While I have not been as active as I would like recently, one of my most fulfilling hobbies is music production. My primary focus has been creating hip-hop soundtracks, though my work spans a variety of genres.

What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or day off?

I enjoy engaging in various social activities, as they provide an excellent opportunity to connect with others and create memorable experiences. Whether it's going out for a meal or a coffee with friends, gathering for a lively board game night, participating in sports to stay active, or enjoying a gaming session with my friends, I find value in the shared moments these activities offer.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would like to revisit Hawaii someday. The combination of the beautiful natural surroundings, laid back culture, and endless opportunities for relaxation and adventure made it an unforgettable experience for me.

What’s a hobby or skill you’ve recently picked up (or would like to try)?

Ever since I first learned about 3D printing in the mid-2010s, the idea of owning one has always fascinated me. The thought of creating my own projects sparked a long-standing interest. After years of waiting, I finally pulled the trigger this past October and invested in my own 3D printer—and I couldn’t be happier with the decision. It has proven to be both an enjoyable and rewarding hobby. With it, I can design and produce items that are not only functional but also visually impressive.

What’s a book, movie or TV show you’re currently enjoying?

I am currently one episode away from finishing Dune: Prophecy, which is a TV show connected to the most recent two Dune movies. The show has not quite lived up to the exhilarating feeling of the movies, but nonetheless it has still been a solid and mostly enjoyable show.

What inspires or motivates you the most in your day-to-day life?

Since early 2020, I set a personal goal to teach at the university level. Over the next five years, I had the privilege of meeting many incredible individuals who played a part in my journey to becoming an instructor. While I’ve achieved this goal, I continue to find inspiration in the people around me. Engaging with them and learning their perspectives not only enriches my experience but also helps me better understand the kind of person and educator I aspire to be.

Can you share a bit about your role and what brought you to the Alberta School of Business?

I have been serving as a Curriculum Coordinator at the school for nearly two years, and this semester, I also took on the role of a seminar instructor in SEM. My journey with the school began in 2020 as an MBA student, with aspirations of pursuing a career in either entrepreneurship or education. Fortunately, the opportunity for my current role arose, and it has been incredibly rewarding. I am truly appreciative of the experiences I have had with my colleagues around the school and I have grown significantly since the early days of my MBA.

What’s been your most memorable moment at the Alberta School of Business so far?

As a small and relatively new department within the school, my office, the Office of Education, faces the challenge of limited visibility among instructors. I believe many faculty members are still unaware of our existence, which is unfortunate given that part of the reason for our creation is to support instructors in enhancing their teaching and classroom experiences. Although we are slowly becoming more seen across the school, many instructors still might not be aware of how we can support them.

What’s one piece of advice you’d share with a new colleague joining the school?

I would tell anyone to informally build relationships with people outside of your department. For one, having these relationships and people to chat with makes the experience of coming to this job much more enjoyable. Secondly, I have found that through all of the informal relationships I have built, if there ever arises an opportunity to collaborate from someone outside my normal circle, ​​I can approach them with the ease and familiarity of a friend, rather than resorting to an impersonal and potentially awkward cold email.