A natural fit for leadership
For Dr. Amna Khaliq, stepping into the role of Program Chair for Business feels like a “natural fit.”
“I wanted to help faculty and students. I wanted to support them on a bigger scale.”
She credits her professors and mentors for shaping her own academic journey. “I'm here at this stage because of my professors and because of my mentors. And I believe that through this university I'm able to give back to that community.”
Amna now supports both faculty and students while overseeing all business programs — ADBA, BBA, MBA and EMBA and our Master’s Certificates— as well as the development of new programs. Her focus is on continuous improvement so students can have the best online learning experience.
Why UFred feels like home
Amna chose UFred for its innovative education, flexibility, accessibility and leadership development. She believes students choose UFred for the same reasons. She calls the University of Fredericton the “full package,” noting the high quality of education and the friendliness of the community.
“I think this is the university for people, by people and with people. We all come together to help each other grow.”
Students often tell her they feel connected and supported in UFred’s virtual environment. “They are part of a bigger community, and they call it home away from home. It's their virtual home and they feel comfortable there.”
“It’s all about caring, you know. At the end of the day, as long as we care for each other and we protect our student body and we're friendly, I think we're successful.”
The future of learning is online
Amna is confident about where education is headed.
“The future of education is online. Online is going to stay here. It's permanent. It's not going anywhere. I strongly believe that University of Fredericton has a very strong position in online education, to lead online education.”
For Amna, the strength of online learning is its direct connection to students’ day-to-day lives. One of her favourite moments as an educator is seeing students apply what they learn.
“One of the highlights that I have seen, which really makes me excited and happy, is when my students applied theoretical knowledge from the class into real life projects. When they get that moment, when the light bulb goes on, it's really amazing.”
A life full of movement, curiosity and community
Amna lives in Calgary, Alberta, which she describes as “a great city with lots of opportunities and wonderful outdoor activities.” She loves to stay active, play badminton, go for long walks, hike the Rocky mountains and travel. To date, she has visited 38 countries on five continents.
Amna’s background reflects a deep commitment to business education and leadership development. She has a Doctorate in Business Administration with a Strategic Leadership specialization from California Southern University, an MBA in Community Economic Development from Cape Breton University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Windsor.
Over the span of nine years, she has taught 32 different business management courses. Her areas of specialization include community economic development, strategic leadership and online education.
She also sits on several boards across Canada, supports PhD students with their doctoral projects, volunteers in her community and spends time with family and friends whenever possible.
Her advice for adult learners
Amna understands how busy life can be for students returning to school. “They are busy in their professional lives and in their personal lives so what happens is, over time, motivation fades. As a professor, I think it's our duty and our responsibility to keep [students] engaged. The more you're engaged, the more you're going to ask questions, the more you're going to learn.”
Her tips for people returning to university:
Make sure you are organized — strong time management is essential.
Be proactive — study before class so you feel prepared.
Find a place to focus — lock yourself into the washroom if you have no other place to study.
Study whenever your schedule allows — lunch breaks, early mornings, or after the kids are asleep.
She also encourages “knowing your circle” and surrounding yourself with people who value education: “That really helps you to become successful.”
To learn more about Amna, please read the official announcement of appointment on our website.