Moustapha El Haj is a computer science educator and technology professional whose work bridges software engineering, artificial intelligence, and global service. He has taught and mentored students across high school and university levels, both through formal tutoring platforms and one-to-one academic support. Alongside his teaching, he works in information technology with the United Nations and serves as a research assistant in artificial intelligence, bringing real-world relevance into every lesson.
My teaching philosophy is grounded in applied and project-based learning, as I believe students understand technology best when they actively build, experiment, and solve real problems. This approach enables them to grasp complex concepts more effectively, develop advanced problem-solving skills, and gain confidence in working with technologies. By engaging students in hands-on projects, they move beyond theoretical understanding and develop practical competence that prepares them for real-world challenges.
In my teaching, I emphasize not only how technology works, but also why it exists and what purpose it serves in the real world. Establishing this connection between theory and application is essential, as it provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the technology they study and allows them to see its broader impact and relevance.
Furthermore, I consistently encourage students to ask “Why?” and “What if?” and to challenge assumptions. I believe that strong computer scientists are not merely users of systems and algorithms, but critical thinkers who question how and why technologies function the way they do. Cultivating this mindset of inquiry and analytical thinking is, in my view, fundamental to developing innovative and capable computer scientists and technologists.
“In my teaching, I emphasize not only how technology works, but also why it exists and what purpose it serves in the real world. “
