A letter with philosophy and wisdom from a recent visitor to my office

With all my respect to Prof Islam, I reproduce as he wrote:


03 12 11

Dr Shivaraj Bhattarai

Dean

Royal Thimphu College

Bhutan

Dear sir

My very recent visit to your campus in a quiet late afternoon has been my introduction to a realm of possibility. I felt its fundamental relevance to me : a mind in search of knowledge, equilibrium and perpetuity.

The elements of pure learning that gradually herald enlightenment into young minds, I found, are present there. These are tranquility, basis in nature, simplicity and pure youth. Your ambience testifies to a potential : unique, lithe and sovereign.

That you have assorted the classical thoughts and practices from across the globe in the course curricula is a positive enterprise. The Bhutanese learners do possess an essential identity for being able to assimilate this academic exposure into a strengthening nourishment. I foresee their noble evolution. However existence cannot be but a progression to be overviewed by time.

I value my interaction with you. You offered a listening ear to me. We share the solidarity of witnessing and understanding that education elevates from weakness to strength, from groping to controlling, and from dominance of instincts to calm inspiration.

In a campus of true making, all learn - who teach and who are taught.

Yours sincerely

Ahmed Iftekharul Islam

University of Science and Technology Chittagong

Bangladesh