In a photo taken before the pandemic, associate professor Fariz Huseynov teaches his NDSU students. Huseynov has
taught a variety of management courses since joining the faculty in 2009.
The world of finance and investment is Fariz Huseynov’s area of expertise, and he loves to share that knowledge with his students.
Huseynov joined the NDSU faculty in 2009, and since then has taught Investment Analysis and Management, International Finance, Principles of Finance, Applied Portfolio Management, Advanced Investment Management and Advanced Portfolio Management.
Outside the classroom, he is the faculty adviser for the NDSU’s student-managed investment fund where students apply their classwork in a real-world setting. The fund has a portfolio of $1.3 million in assets.
What makes teaching at NDSU special?
NDSU is a land-grant university that focuses on research and teaching. It comes with the mission of making an impact on students. I feel happy for choosing this career when I realize how much impact on students’ lives I can make through teaching and interacting with students. Students are respectful, but constantly challenging me to learn and teach them modern practices in my field. I get to know students from their freshman years until they graduate and successfully start their careers. I also like the collegiality of my peers and NDSU’s friendly academic environment which encourages me to do what I do every day.
Why is teaching important to you?
I love sharing knowledge and engaging in intellectual discussions that foster learning. I am glad that through teaching we can help our students gain skills that can be used to solve complex problems of our society. Teaching also helps me to interact with a diverse group of young people, and learn about their passion and preferences. That helps my instruction to remain relevant to ever-changing demographics.
How do you try to make a difference in students’ lives?
First, by teaching financial concepts so well that they become competent and responsible finance professionals that help others reach their financial goals. I try to interact with students closely inside and outside the classroom. I try to make my class discussions relevant and rigorous so they can connect better with the outside world. Second, I try to expand their horizons and help them dream big. As a person who grew through the collapse of Soviet Union and came to NDSU, I believe I can tell them how setting aspiring goals is important for one’s success, and one must work hard to reach those goals.