Mohammad Noman

He was Professor Mohammad Noman. He preferred to live in modesty. And modesty was his strength, a strength that attracted his students.

A very good teacher, Prof Noman had a scholarly knowledge in English language and literature. He was always eager to disseminate the knowledge among his students. He did not limit his efforts in this line only, rather he worked hard to help his students acquire the very essential human qualities; honesty, sense of justice, discipline, punctuality and so on. He was himself very rigid and uncompromising about these values.

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Mohammad Noman started his teaching career as a Lecturer in the Dhaka University English Department. Later he switched over to teaching in government colleges and eventually became the Principal of Dhaka College. He is rated as one of the most successful principals of this top educational institution. Though, Prof Noman was subsequently appointed Treasurer and Vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, he is best known as the principal of Dhaka College.

At a stage of his career he was involved in education administration. During this phase there came occasions when he had to come under severe pressure from quarters of power to allow unjust favours to persons and groups. But Prof. Noman did never surrender to those pressures, never did he compromise with his ethical standards.

His beloved students joined the nation in happiness when in 1994 Professor Noman was honoured with the 'Ekushey Padak' in recognition to his scholarly virtues and his outstanding contributions in the field of education. Notwithstanding, Prof. Noman was adjudged as the best teacher in the whole of Pakistan and received 'Presidential Gold Medal' in 1970.

Professor Noman was a teacher, a complete teacher, an ideal teacher who devoted his life in sharing his wealth of knowledge with the students. He had a highly selfless bearing and the only motto in his life was to bear the torch of knowledge, illuminate the society. He held a firm conviction that, given a sound knowledge base, the younger generation would acquire the level of competence needed to take the nation to the height of progress and prosperity.

He had never fallen to any temptation for selfish interests. A plain living man, a gentleman, Professor Noman was always open to whoever wanted to discuss whatever topic of learning. His interaction with students and teachers was effortless, healthy and productive.

Prof. Noman remains a landmark, an ever-beaming light-house in our educational arena. He is not dead. Today Professor Noman is not physically present amongst us but his memory will continue to remain as a source of inspiration for all of us in the days ahead.

Deen Mohammad is Sr. Information Officer, Ministry of Environment and Forest.