Sunday, Jan 30, 2011
Gulf News
Former president of India urges Skyline University College students to get ?in touch with their unique qualities and not conform to the status quo
Today’s youth aspire to be unique but are under pressure to be like everyone else. However, reaching for a goal set during youth is how to truly become distinguished.
These words of wisdom were shared by former Indian President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during his visit to Skyline University College in Sharjah last week.
Students filed into the auditorium for a rare treat of personal advice from India’s 11th president on the topic of higher education and the development of an entrepreneurial spirit.
“All youths want to be unique, but the world all around you is doing its best to make you like everyone else,” said Abdul Kalam. “The question is whether you want to be a unique version of you or just like everybody else.”
Abdul Kalam added that conforming to the status quo could at first glance seem enough but is ultimately not satisfying on the long term.
“Therefore the challenge my young friends is to fight the hardest battle any human can imagine,” he said. “Fight and never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place of the unique you.”
Abdul Kalam added that the four most important weapons to fight the stated battle were to reach for a dream set before the age of 22, an ongoing pursuit of knowledge, hard work and perseverance.
“The question is, what will you be remembered for, if you can answer that question you are on the way to finding the unique you,” said the aeronautical engineer. “In any important undertaking you will be faced with problems; but the important thing is to become the captain of the problem and not let it become the captain of you.”
During his years as leader of India, Abdul Kalam was known as the People’s President. Throughout his career as a scientist he has undertaken work on the development of ballistic missiles and space rocket technology; and it is his reputable achievements and humble demeanour that kept the students engaged.
Knowledge is power
Upon recommending reading material to the students, Abdul Kalam steered his talk in the direction of the qualities of future leaders in 10 points. The one that resonated most was the reinforcement of the age-old gem that knowledge is power. “Yesterday natural resources were sources of power but today knowledge is power,” he said. “Look at countries like Singapore and Japan who don’t have natural resources but do have technology; knowledge is their power.”
He added that as access to knowledge becomes a vital commodity in the 21st century academic institutions and universities will ultimately become the power houses of knowledge, with teachers ultimately responsible for shaping future leaders.
“I find there is a gap in the education systems in the world found in the research attitude of teachers,” said Abdul Kalam. He added that good teaching goes hand in hand with research and teachers showing an interest in research “is vital for the growth of the youth”.
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam (left) with Kamal Puri, President of Skyline University College in Sharjah.
Supplied picture
All youths want to be unique, but the world ?all around you is doing its best to make you ?like everyone else...The question is whether ?you want to be a unique version of you or just like everybody else.”
Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Former president of India
By Rania Moussly?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
