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May 17, 2006
An interview with Dr.Hameed Sulaiman Ph.D, a native of Kayalpatnam - currently on a teaching assignment sponsored by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email: hameedhanan@yahoo.co.in
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Kayalpatnam.com>You are currently at University of Addis Ababa on an assignment from UNDP. What is the focus area of your work?
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>The assignment is not directly from UNDP. This is an expatriate staff exchange programme sponsored by UNDP. Actually, the work involves teaching and research at post-graduate level. I am teaching different courses in Environmental Science and advising students on their research activities. In addition to that, I am coordinating the Environmental science programme and this academic administration is a blessing responsibility for my age. I am really enjoying the challenging job.
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman (Left) chairing a session at a conference in UN Economic Commission for Africa
Kayalpatnam.com>To be working for such a prestigious academic Institute must be a unique experience?
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>Yes it is. I was told my selection was made after CVs were scrutinised at the embassy level. On my landing, I also learnt there were nearly 200 applicants to the job! It really is a honour to be chosen in such a manner. I must really thank Allah for giving me such an opportunity. Addis Ababa University is a premier institute in Africa and stands 50th among African higher learning institutes - based oninternational norms. I guess, the main reason for my selection was the nature of the subject - Environmental science - which is an emerging field and fortunately all my degrees are in that subject.
Kayalpatnam.com>Tell us about your schooling days.
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>Normally, students hailing from rural schools do not dream of anything about their future. Life at that stage is routine. One who has the maximum memorising capacity mostly gets the top rank. I surely belonged to that category.
My schooling was in LK higher secondary school which set the foundation. I take this opportunity to thank the founders of the institute and the wonderful teachers who taught me. The school honoured me at its silver jubilee anniversary. It was an unforgettable experience when my teachers came up and congratulated me
Kayalpatnam.com>Your entire post-school education - right up to your Ph.D was at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University(TNAU), Coimbatore
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>My College and further higher academic education was in that premier institute - Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. It is one of the top Agricultural institutes in South-East Asia. Recently it turned 100 years old.
My first degree was in Forest science and post-graduation as well as my Ph.D was in Environmental Science. Totally, it took me ten years to complete everything. All those years passed like just 10 months because of the wonderful study environment that mother institute gave. I have no words to express my gratitude to that magnanimous institute.
Kayalpatnam.com>What motivated you to go for a Ph.D? Was it always your goal?
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>Not at all. It was a step-by-step process like crossing the barriers successfully one after the other. In fact, my parents and my brothers were the hidden motivation at the time of my study. I remember at that time, there was financial pressure on them. But with Allah’s grace, they really pushed me despite all the constraints. I must say my first inspiration was my father who had great respect for the educated people
Kayalpatnam.com>On what topic did you do your PhD?
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>It was on Industrial pollution management and recycling
Kayalpatnam.com>Number of PhDs in a country is always seen as a measure of a country's progress. Still - per capita - there are fewer PhDs in India than say USA or South Korea. Why do you think this is the case?
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>You are right. I would simply attribute this to two reasons. Firstly, in most of the developing countries, getting basic education is to translate that to get a decent job to live a secured life. Secondly, in the developed world, the opportunity and demand for higher education and research is quite high. If you see all developed countries, their R & D (Research and Development) base is very strong, which is essential for success. So naturally, more people will opt for higher education and research.
Kayalpatnam.com>Was it difficult to convince your family about your choice - given that youngsters are usually expected to dream of careers only in Engineering, Medicine or IT?
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>There is nothing wrong in choosing careers in those professions. As mentioned earlier, these degrees make you a practicing professional and you see the tangible reward in hand.
But going for higher education in most of the cases is by chance. It is true in my case. Yes, it is very difficult to convince people when you move away from the normal.
Kayalpatnam.com>Is there any ideal profile for whom Ph.D is most suited? What does it take to be a Ph.D?
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>Nothing like that. Most of the top scientists in India studied in open rural schools. To start with, a post-grade degree is mandatory. From that, one comes to develop the taste for research. If you get that, Ph.D is a simple exercise. All it requires is patience, hard work and pursuance.
Kayalpatnam.com>What would be your advise to someone who is thinking about pursuing a Ph.D on any topic
[science, arts etc]?
Dr.Hameed Sulaiman>There are a lot of opportunities in research areas in the fields of science and arts. It makes you unique. All you need is the right attitude and direction. One needs a strong academic counseling once he or she completes his first degree or even after the schooling. This (counselling) is lacking in our society. Learned people have to come together to help the society in this regard.
Education does not always ends up in earning. For instance, people with minimum basic degrees are earning more than a practicing doctor. We should not connect the degree one has with the money he or she earns. The satisfaction is more important. We should strongly believe that Education is the investment of the highest order. It passes from generation to generation.
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