The right teacher

A question was thrown at the dinner table today whether we’ve identified our favourite lecturer yet. I for one, already have the answer at hand. No, unfortunately it’s not a question of which lecturer has the most experience nor the highest amount of books written. It’s a pity is it not? When we put knowledge in the scale of numbers, and time. No wonder our society becomes an impossibly rushed society. Everyone is chasing digits.

For me it’s about the lecturer who brings out the best in his students. The type who could talk about his field as if telling stories out of a story book. The one who could casually sit in the class and let his passion clear to the students without limiting any conflicting ideas. What is knowledge anyway but information perceived by personal reasoning?

So, the lecturer who sits at the top of my favorite teachers list now - he brought with him a couple of video tapes to class this week. Carefully asking whether any of us have watched “Sixty Thousand Barrels”, he sighed with relief when we shaked our heads. I feel guilty playing this film in almost all of my classes, but anyway, it’s my film. He smiled whimsically at the end of his sentence.

Now, if you don’t know me enough - I am inspired by people who are doing great many things, I am appealed by the whole, organic, and fluid approach to career and profession. Someone who started as a geologist, turned a screenwriter, and finally a teacher in history and philosophy. Someone who worked initially in central banking sector, and end up becoming an international figure in transparency and government integrity. What it indicates is clear isn’t it? It shows you’re working with you heart set right in place. It shows you’re keen on what you’re doing, said Tunku Aziz.

Note: “Sixty Thousand Barrels” is a profound documentary about how Orica, a chemical production industry, manages its toxic waste and struggles to do it responsibly for the surrounding community. The highlight of the documentary is Nancy Hillier, a fiery 78-year old who leads the community action group to demand transparency and accountability from the company.


In Sydney Morning Herald, my lecturer talks about the art of imagining a greener future.