Spotlight

I Remember Prof. Mohamed Abdul Mutalib

Tashmina Khaled

Late Prof. Mohamed Abdul Mutalib was a caring husband and a devoted father of two daughters. By profession he was a professor of English, who not only taught the subject but also advised his students in numerous ways. He was easy going and was always able to solve problems which others found difficult.

He traveled to many countries and had taught at some foreign universities as well. His looks, sense of dressing and behaviour had an aura of dignity and integrity. He was a symbol of freedom, modernism and comfort. His words were knowledgeable and humorous. He was a nature lover who admired nature the way it was. He loved the trees that swayed pleasantly in the bright daylight and the flowers that bloomed with alluring colours. He disliked the pollution around and often told us, “I wish I could make things more beautiful and pollution-free around us”.

He was a Professor of English at IUBAT International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology. As a teacher he was an extraordinary person. He was very patient, and used to guide us to overcome fear in the face of any challenge and showed us how to find peace and happiness by leading a simple life. He knew which books to prescribe to us for improving our English and used to make us read a material thoroughly in order to understand it. Studying was fun with him around.

He wrote a book on Agriculture, which sold numerous copies. The name of the book is 'Diploma in Agriculture'. It was so interesting that many other universities, besides our university, are now studying it as a Basic English textbook of literature. He also used to write beautiful poems.

He passed away on the 17th of February 2008 at 11:30 p.m. We lost an excellent teacher, who was loved by his students, colleagues, family and friends. May his soul rest in peace and may Allah and the holy prophet receive him. His contribution towards the university and its welfare will never be forgotten.

(Student of IUBAT)

The Bow That Charms the Chords

Efadul Huq

Teacher. How do we perceive that word? If you think teachers are only those who strictly teach, then show me something in the world that doesn't teach. I wish I knew the exact definition of teacher just like I know that pi equals 3.14. But, since no prevailing definition encompasses the entire concept of the word teacher, all I can do is recount my experiences with a man who enthused in me a feeling that made me say 'yes, this is my teacher.'

He used to quietly check my essays and advise me softly on how I could improve the literary texture of my writings. Everything, according to him, is supposed to flow without boundaries and within that flow everything is in constant improvement. So are our works. When I narrated to him any happening he used to nod and his eyes from behind the spectacles showed the utmost attention. Often he shared his own observations with me. Seeing him, I feel a teacher is somebody who tunes himself to our personalities and gracefully plays us to produce an enchanting music like a bow that strikes the chords of a violin. It is then that true learning is born; it is then that a request is heard as a request and an order as an order; it is then that things are seen as they truly are. Mere words cannot portray what a great teacher he was. He passed away on the 17th February, 2008. This man was Abdul Mutalib and he was my professor.

(Writer is a student of A-Levels)

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