Today more than a hundred countries will observe the 14th annual World Teachers Day, a day which commemorates teachers' organisations worldwide.
According to Unesco, World Teachers Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution 0that teachers make to education and development. So take the time today to thank your teachers and professors for doing what they do best – enriching you with the information and learning skills you need to forge your path to a successful future.
Appreciating teachers
When asked what qualities describe a good teacher, students had plenty to say. From experience and good teaching skills to a sense of compassion and understanding, most students agreed that a good teacher or professor must retain a balance between being an authoritative figure and a friend.
Soroush Rabe'ei, chemical engineering student at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), said that beyond having the knowledge needed in the field he or she is teaching, a teacher must have a tolerable personality.
"They must be kind to students and allow room for flexibility," he said. "They must be patient and willing to answer students' questions without getting irritated."
Rabe'ei added that it's important that an academic instructor acts not only as a channel of information, but also as a moral guide and friend. Bassam Akl, a mechanical engineering student, seconded the opinion.
He said his favourite teacher, a maths instructor in grade 10, demonstrated both qualities.
"A good teacher must be strict and lay down the rules when needed; but on the other hand he must also be friendly with his students and treat them with respect," he said. "In that respect I always looked to my teacher as my big brother."
Teaching is a skill
The number one quality students said a teacher must have is the ability to teach. And that's often easier said than done.
"Many teachers have knowledge about what they're teaching, but can't impart the information to students," said Sara Al Madad, electrical engineering student at AUS. "They mistakenly assume that because they know the information, the students know it or will easily understand it too."
Tarek Abu Gali, AUS civil engineering student, shared Al Madad's opinion. Highlighting a trend where some teachers give low grades as they believe it reflects on their class as challenging, Abu Gali said a good teacher or professor must "give good marks where they are deserved".
"An exceptional teacher must guide his or her students on the path to success," he said. "For example, he should give students notes and teach from those notes, rather than just give students the topic and let them go wander for information. Also, it's good for a teacher to give students assignments and quizzes to help them prepare for the midterms and final exams. This way, a student can get used to a teacher's testing style and know what kind of information to focus on."
Business communication student from the University of Wollongong in Dubai Zahra Ahmad highlighted all these qualities in one statement.
"A good teacher must be understanding and strict. They must be kind but still take on a leading role," she said. "They must understand all the difficulties students go through these days, both in academics and in their personal lives, and be able to associate with them on their level."
Student's favourite teacher
What better way to celebrate Teachers Day than to bring to the fore students' favourite professors. On this special occasion, Notes asked students at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) to name their favourite teacher. Dr Ilhem Allegui from the Department of Mass Communication was among the names most repeated by students.
Notes later spoke to her about her relationship with students and her style of teaching.
Academic profile
Dr Ilhem Allagui studied business administration at the Institut des Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Tunisia, then received a PhD in mass communication from the University of Montreal, Canada, as well as a master's degree in marketing. She then worked in the advertising and new media industry before becoming a lecturer at the University of Montreal.
She joined AUS in 2006 and now heads the advertising concentration in the mass communication department.
What are your classes like? Do you feel
students enjoy their time in class?
My classes are project-based, which students like working on. I try as much as possible to integrate the real world of advertising in my classes by inviting speakers, giving real case projects to work on, and so on. In my opinion, advertising cannot be taught without building a link with the industry and exposing students to the real world of advertising. Under this perspective I have worked on projects, which were very appreciated by the students; for example I organised class visits to advertising agencies in Dubai.
I also offered students the opportunity to visit advertising agencies in Montreal, Canada, under the context of an advertising student trip that I organised last January. The students visited leading agencies in Montreal and learned from case studies and examples in the humanitarian marketing domain.
How would you describe your relationship with your students – distant or close?
I am delighted to be in AUS where the diversity and multiculturalism build and strengthen the relationship between students and professors. I enjoy being with the students and I think this is reciprocal. They visit my office very often to talk about class content and to seek advice concerning their future, their career, the graduate studies they would like to undertake and even to share problems and joys of their social life.
Moreover, the students and I launched the Advertising Club last year, of which I am the adviser. This club is meant to be an opportunity to discuss advertising out of class time. Class time is limited and whenever possible, I try to give them a taste of the exciting and wonderful world of advertising.
Students need to feel friendship with professors, the thing I offer to those who want it. This means they can call on my mobile, they can email or text-message me anytime. I had a call at 2am once, from a student asking for my help. Another time a student opened up to me concerning some social problems; she couldn't go to her parents.
During sports competitions, some students invite me to cheer them and I'm happy to do it. This relationship is very precious to me; I try as much as possible to help them by making myself available.
Teaching as a career
It goes without saying that being successful in a profession requires that the person be passionate about his or her work. Teaching is no exception; in fact, a teacher with no patience, skill or passion to teach will not be able to effectively do his or her job. Notes asked Dr Ilhem Allagui from Department of Mass Communication about pursuing teaching as a career and its prospects in the UAE.
What does it take for someone to be a successful professor at university?
Writer and philosopher Joseph Campbell is known for a famous quote: ‘The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in themselves.' In my opinion, good professors succeed when they see the energy in their students, energy to work more, to do better, to be ambitious, to be committed to what they're doing and to aspire to a great future. One key asset in my opinion is listening.
Teachers do not only speak or lecture; they should also listen. Listening helps improve the relationship between students and professors, which makes the transmission of the message easier, more productive and effective.
Teaching can be a very good career for some students, those who are not tired of learning and those who see in themselves a passion to give, to create and to build with others. They have to love teaching to be teachers. Teaching is not about holidays (a common misconception), but about seeing changes in students' lives and aiming to achieve that.
Is teaching a good career to pursue in the region and in the UAE specifically?
I have many students, for instance mostly females, who have expressed their ambition to pursue a career in teaching. I encourage them as the region is witnessing a growth in education as well as in many other areas. The need for teachers will be even greater in the next few years as the youth population is the fastest growing in the region.
Besides, the region is attracting universities from all over the world, and along with these, professors and teachers; but students who have an opportunity to learn in such educational institutions will have to give back to the region and contribute to the education of the next generation.
Furthermore, teaching at a university level doesn't go without research. And, there's a tremendous need for research in the region and the UAE on multiple levels. The students who will pursue career in teaching and research will contribute to the progress of the region and will be key factors in the development and advancement of different industries, businesses, public institutions and the society at large.
