The Hindu : New Delhi News : Professor Kalam has a day out at Delhi University campus

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Sunday, Dec 23, 2007
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Professor Kalam has a day out at Delhi University campus

Staff Reporter

Photo: PTI

In a new role: Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam arrives to deliver a lecture to students of Faculty of Management Studies at Delhi University in New Delhi on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: It was former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s day out on the North Campus of Delhi University on Saturday. From taking a class at Faculty of Management Studies to delivering a talk at the Central Institute of Education, the educationist in Mr. Kalam invigorated and charmed one and all.

At FMS, Dr. Kalam lectured a class of final-year MBA students as well as visitors from Lahore University of Management Sciences and a South Korean university on “Creative Leadership”.

Creative leadership

Dr. Kalam illustrated graphically how creative leadership can help transform India into a developed economy and also elucidated the various links in the entire chain of transformation. He also spoke at length on his personal experiences with leaders like Prof. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr. Satish Dhawan.

“It was nice. The students interacted with me very well. We discussed the topic of ‘creative leadership’. They had a lot of questions to ask. I am very happy. I think I am going to come here often,” the distinguished scientist told reporters after finishing his maiden lecture at the University.

His students too came out of the class raving about their new professor.

“It was such an enriching experience! He was very impressive. He focused on creative leadership. I think India needs to develop more such leaders to exploit its maximum potential,” remarked Chanhee Lai, one of the students of the Korean delegation.

“The entire lecture was full of real-life examples. He drew a lot from his personal life. All this showcased Dr. Kalam as a great scientist and an even better manager and not just the dynamic President we all have known.

He spoke on whether nobility was possible in management and how creative leaders were different from others. The class was very interactive. He has a great sense of humour too,” remarked Mitul Joshi, an FMS student.

Well prepared for class

Dr. Kalam, it seemed, came well prepared for his class. He gave some notes in the form of print-outs to his students. He also distributed a worksheet among them to write their answers on various aspects related to the topic taught in the classroom. He gave them his personal e-mail id to write to him on in case of any queries with a promise of reverting within next 24 hours.

Keeping up with tradition, he even gave his students a home assignment.

“We have been asked to define what according to us is a leader; how failure and success are measured and how capabilities can be built through the education system to create creative leaders. He will take all these issues in the next class,” said Priya Sood, another FMS student.

Later, the former President addressed a gathering at the 60th Foundation Day celebrations at CIE, also known as the Department of Education at the University.

Role of teachers

Offering a “tribute” to his teachers, Dr. Kalam said: “Teachers create beautiful minds. They inject good habits. Great teachers create great citizens. This Department has made a substantial contribution in empowering the youth of the country.”

Reminiscing how his teachers “enriched” his life, the former President cited many instances from his life and spoke how his educators influenced his habits.

Addressing the educationists present in the hall, Dr. Kalam said: “In 1936, when I was five years old, my teacher took a special interest in me as I performed very well in my class. He even came to my house to tell my father how well I was doing. I hope you do that to your students too. Parents feel very happy on hearing such things.”

He then went on to add: “My teachers influenced my habits. When I was in Class V, my teacher injected a mission into my life. The way my teacher at college taught Nuclear Physics, we all began loving the subject. Teachers infuse creative thinking habits in students. I hope you too are doing the same.”

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