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| As teachers or trainers, we not only create learners but also leaders who pass on this flame of knowledge to those who are lesser privileged. |
"Leadership Is Not A Position, It Is An Action."
This student success story is really close to my heart. Meet
Mansour Nyang, an international student pursuing engineering from UPES,
India.
Last
semester, I taught one Life Skills course 'Leadership and Teamwork' to his batch. I
vividly remember him as a student who was always curious and one of the most
expressive ones.
His
reflections always used to be lengthy, descriptive and quite insightful. I used to get intrigued by the level of his maturity and thoughtfulness.
His
reflections also made me realize that he was a sincere learner. Additionally,
through my Star Count System (a method I generally use during my classes to encourage student participation), I could see him as one of the topmost star performers.
Yesterday
afternoon, as usual, I went out to a nearby place (adjacent to the university)
with my colleagues for lunch. There I came across him, and he saw me. I could notice a smile on his face and felt glad to see him first time in person.
After
my lunch was over, he came to me and with a big grin over his face again, he
greeted me. I simply asked him how he was and how he was doing. And his answer
pretty much impressed me.
He
said, "I am usually busy with classes and when I get free, I conduct classes." I was a bit puzzled to hear this. I asked him what he
meant.
He
smiled again and said, "I love India, and UPES has given me enough
opportunities to help me learn life skills and become a better
person."
He
continued, "Through Life Skills courses, I did learn crucial life skills
specifically Leadership and Teamwork, something that the youth back home in my
community lack. I know they are not as lucky as I am. So, I started
conducting Leadership and Teamwork classes for them in my free time. And now it
has become a part of my daily routine. I'm grateful to UPES that enabled me to
have confidence to impart learning to my people in Africa."
His
words truly touched my heart (a teacher's heart) and I simply patted him on his
back and asked him if he could share a few more details with me and he readily
agreed.
The very next day, early morning, I received an email from him and what he wrote, was enough to impress me.
The email said, "Dear Sir, I am glad to let you know that I held discussions with few African students about Leadership and teamwork. You inspired me to build an immense interest when it comes to sharing the little knowledge I have gathered from your classes and some of my researches related to the field of leadership and communication skills. I promised to keep up the momentum so that many youth will also have the zeal to enlarge their intellectual capacity when it comes to teamwork and leadership. You always told us that the best thing we can achieve from your course is to produce future leaders. I will do my best to be part of those who will enlarge your inspiration, motivations, and your enthusiasm for having a healthier and happier future with innovative and competent leaders. Regards Mansour Nyang"
I know they are not as lucky as I am. So, I started conducting classes for them in my free time.
And also, I found an attachment with his email. There was an
attached picture of him taking the leadership class for his people back
home.
I
genuinely think this is the real purpose of education. As teachers or trainers,
we not only create learners but also leaders who pass on this flame of
knowledge to those who are lesser privileged.
Someone has aptly remarked,
"Leadership Is Not A Position, It Is An Action."
******
