A Retirement Tribute to Dato' Haji Imran bin Idris

Jabatan Pengajian Politeknik

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Tel: +60 3 8939 4000 Fax: +60 3 8939 4045 www.politeknik.gov.my

ARetirement Tribute to

Dato’ Haji

Imran bin Idris 35

years

of

devotion

Dato’ Haji

Imran bin Idris 35

years

of

devotion

Project Advisor Tn. Hj Mohd. Ghaus Ab. Kadir Project Coordinator Harun Sahat Project Director Dr. Zainal Azhar Zainal Abidin Book Production

project team

Coordinator/Researcher Nizam Mohd Nasir

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Writer Khairun Nisah Selamat Teo Tang Ghee Graphic Designer Ku Adnan Ku Hassan Mohd Razif Mustapha Rafizah Shaharuddin Video Production Researcher Mohd Mamsin Anor Kassim Creative Director Tengku Besaruddin ShahTengku Yaakob Editor Jamri Kasim Norazlina Ahmad Cameraman Mohd Azrai Abu Bakar Muhamad Ihsan Rokeman Ahmad Fadlatuddin Mat Tahir Technical Ahmad Aftas Azman 3D Designer Nor Shukor Ali

A Retirement Tribute to Dato’ Haji Imran bin Idris : 35 Years of Devotion First Edition, September 2010 ©Politeknik Seberang Perai Published by Politeknik Seberang Perai ©All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Data Pengkatalogan-dalam-Penerbitan A Retirement Tribute to Dato’ Haji Imran bin Idris : 35 Years of Devotion ISBN 978-983-44298-0-5 1. Politeknik Seberang Perai. 2. Universities and colleges--Pulau Pinang-Permatang Pauh. 3.Education, Higher--Pulau Pinang--Permatang Pauh.

378.595113 Idea & Concept CIDM Politeknik Design & Layout CIDM Politeknik Published by Politeknik Seberang Perai Jalan Permatang Pauh 13500 Permatang Pauh Pulau Pinang

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| Preface

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| The Early Years

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| Sailing Through an Eventful Journey

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| Commanding A Crew Of Agents Of Change

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contents

| Cruising Into A New Course

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| A Conversation With Dato’ Haji Imran Idris

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| Milestone

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| Acknowledgement

ARetirement Tribute to Dato’ Haji

Imran bin Idris

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T

preface

his retirement tribute book is written to recognize and honour the outstanding service and role of the first Director General of Polytechnic Education Department, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Dato’ Haji Imran bin Idris, who has made significant contributions to technical and polytechnic education in a career that spanned 35 years.

Dato’ Imran bin Idris is instrumental to the growth of polytechnic education and the setting up of community colleges for the benefit of the youths in Malaysia.

Achieving a ‘first’ in many fronts, Imran is an educator with a high commitment in bringing change through education.

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This book aims at capturing the contributions, values and philosophies of our Director General to inspire others in the organization.

Contents in this book are arranged in four sections and are based on a 4-hour interview with Dato’ Haji Imran.

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The Early Years

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A family portrait

THE EARLY YEARS Born on 29 September 1952, Imran received his primary schooling in Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Batu Pekaka, Kuala Ketil, Kedah. The English medium school was without basic amenities at that time but it had a multiracial composition which gave Imran a wider perspective on life.

one has to work hard for what one wants. “My parents had formal schooling although they didn’t have the opportunity for secondary education. They were concerned about studies but they didn’t pressure me,” he said. His parents’ economic circumstances motivated him to do something for himself so that they could benefit from his success.

Imran felt a sense of pride when he was selected to enter the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar as it was the only English medium boarding school for Malay students at that time. Imran quickly learned to be independent when submerged in a school culture of freedom and independence where ‘the students virtually ran the school’. He felt he did not stand out as all the students were smart and intelligent since they were specially selected for admission to the college.

SK Batu Pekaka

It was there that he learned independence and tolerance. He recounted that students in those days did things by themselves and worked together. He felt fortunate to have Kirkby and Brinsford-trained teachers taught him during his formative years. He felt indebted to his teachers and appreciated that they were willing to serve far away from their hometowns. Imran attributed his wide worldview to his teachers who were mainly Chinese and Indians. “I can see a lot of people working together, tolerance was practised in those days and this is something I came to cherish very much in later years,” he said.

As a young boy growing up in a small town in the sixties, Imran faced challenging times and soon learned that things do not come easy. His parents taught him that

Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) is a premier and first fully residential school in Malaysia.

Established on 2nd January 1905, it was originally known as the Malay Residential School of Kuala Kangsar. Initially founded to educate the Malay elites, it changed dramatically as a result of rising Malay nationalism since 1947.

MCKK has been the school for many prominent Malaysians such as kings, sultans, prime ministers, ministers as well as senior officials in the Government and leading figures in the private sector.

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Imran bin Idris

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Prep School 1965

malay college kuala kangsar

When he was in Form 4 and Form 5, he was fascinated by engineering projects and that fueled his interest in engineering. Incidentally, engineering was a popular choice among top scholars at that time. Imran was inspired by the old boys who came back during the weekends and held forums. “I wanted to be among the top students and felt that engineering would give me more satisfaction,” said Imran.

Feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square

Imran won a scholarship from the Ministry of Education and went on to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Liverpool in UK after passing his Higher School Certificate (HSC). Two things struck him while he was there – British courtesy and university education was easier than studying for HSC!

Founded in 1881, the University of Liverpool has an impressive history of pioneering education and research, with a particular emphasis on ‘education for the professions’.

9 With a friend at the english countryside

On a riverside cruise while in europe

Sailing Through an Eventful Journey

The happiest moment of my life was to be able to care for my parents

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SAILING THROUGH AN EVENTFUL JOURNEY A Grateful Son

At the age of nineteen when many young adults are mulling over their true self-identity, Imran was already on his way to shoulder huge responsibilities to his family and his career.

“When I came back to Malaysia A young scholar at the in 1975, I really wanted to do University of Liverpool the best I could as a grateful son UK to my parents, to return their kindness in bringing me up and making me what I am. I wish to make them happy and that they do not have to live a hard life anymore.” Imran reminisces, “I looked back at all those years and saw how far I had come and how much they had done for me from infancy to adulthood. Every time I fell, they were there to encourage me to get back on track. All those testing times when life was hard, it was with their tender guiding hands that I had overcome fear, conquered disappointments and confronted frustrations.”

A Versatile Lecturer

Imran marched on his first few years as a lecturer in the Politeknik Ungku Omar making the most of his expertise in two disciplines, engineering and education. He found himself experiencing and learning new things day by day, managing people and maintaining equipment.

“Politeknik Ungku Omar is an established polytechnic. The graduates then were well respected and well regarded by the public and private sectors. This I thought was related to both the performance of the staff and also the performance of the students. The students showed consistent results in exams. This goes to prove the correlation between the two. Good teachers produce good students. I guess, it takes two to tango.”

Named after the late Dato’ Profesor Ungku Omar Ahmad, Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO) was the first polytechnic established in Malaysia. It started its operation in 1969 and has produced competent technicians in the engineering field, executive officers and semi professionals in the both public and private sectors. In 2010, PUO was recognized as a Premier Polytechnic, ready to lead the process of transformation.

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are responsible for what they learn. When empowered, students ask questions, seek answers and begin to analyze information, hence leading them to be more critical and creative and gradually training them to be independent learners. Imran emphasises, “Students need to be guided and nurtured. They need to be given a strong foundation before they are left on their own.” A close relationship between lecturers and students would result in better interaction and improved performance

An Outstanding School Principal Escorting a VIP on a visit to PUO

In recalling his past experience, Imran mentions how learning by doing was so much emphasized in the classrooms and workshops. Lecturers and students gained practical experience when they had to “Ungku Omar maintain equipment Polytechnic (PUO) themselves. A natural is an established learning environment should be created in polytechnic. The the classrooms so graduates then were that knowledge can well respected and be gained through well regarded by the research, trial and error and networking. public and private It is important to sectors.” create a learning environment where knowledge can be acquired from many resources. Involving students in project work, for instance, allows the students to assume responsibilities. They

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A young Imran thought that he would be a lecturer forever, but his career path took a turning when he was promoted to become a school principal at the age of 27. He felt that during his time it was rather Principal of SMV Ipoh unusual for an engineering degree holder to be leading a school. To him it was a big challenge to prove the common perception wrong, that technical people are not good at leading an institution.

When he stepped into Sek. Men. Vokasional Ipoh as a Principal he had to bear the pressure to do well.

SMV Ipoh PTA’S AGM

A Tenacious Principal

Sekolah Menengah Vokasional Ipoh has undergone various changes since its establishment in 1930 as a Goverment Trade School. Now known as Sekolah Menengah Teknik Lebuh Cator the school offers several technical and vocational subjects aimed at developing students’ technical competencies.

Politeknik Batu Pahat was then sharing its premises with Sekolah Menengah Teknik Johor Baharu when Imran was appointed the Principal.

PBP Community event He found himself given a new role to play. With patience and determination things were put in place. He thought the geographical location of the polytechnic had its advantage.

Being near Singapore, the staff of the polytechnic had quite a number of chances of visiting technical exhibitions held in Singapore.

However, his experience in playing a multi-faceted role in Politeknik Ungku Omar was all that he needed to fall back on.

He managed to make a significant improvement in the students’ academic performance despite having to face the challenges in disciplining them. At the point when the academic results showed an upward trend he had to leave Sek. Men. Vokasional Ipoh to report for duty at the Batu Pahat Polytechnic.

Politeknik Batu Pahat started its operation in 1983 and was made a Training Centre for the Polytechnic Staff in 1993. Today, the institution is better known as University Tun Hussein Onn (UTHM).

“The lecturers took a log book with them to note the specifications of mechanical and civil engineering equipment they saw at the exhibitions, giving them the advantage of being at the front line, to be informed of the latest updates on technology.” Lecturers need to equip themselves not only with learning and thinking skills but they need to also aquire information and communication technology literacy. Imran advises lecturers to keep abreast of changing trends in technical education.

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A Persistent Leader

the polytechnic. It also benefited the staff and students of the polytechnic.”

A Visionary Director When Imran left POLIMAS and climbed up the ladder to assume the post of Director of Technical and Vocational Curriculum Division, he had the opportunity to make a difference. “Curriculum is a POLIMAS management team very influential tool; it is the basis of the whole process, so when I am asked to lead Imran, spent a longer time serving in the Politeknik Sultan the Curriculum Division. I got the opportunity to put in all Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (POLIMAS). It was in the theory, to realize what I thought should be there.” He POLIMAS that he paved the way to establish collaborative realized that it was the curriculum that would determine relationships with the industries. in the output. In other words the The initiative to engage the industry “Curriculum is a very curriculum determines the quality of came about after participating in influential tool; it is the the students produced. a six-week study visit to Canada basis of the whole process, “We are accountable for developing in 1997. The opportunity to visit so when I am asked to students who are knowledgeable their community colleges made him realize how much could be and skilful and at the same time lead the Curriculum gained from mutual relationships enthusiastic about their own learning.

Department I got the with the industry. “The engagement Ultimately they should be able to use opportunity to put in with the industry was very intense. their knowledge and skills to function all the theory, to realize effectively in their undertakings. We There were activities involving both parties.” Imran did just the right what I thought should be need to be comprehensive but yet be thing in bridging POLIMAS and the realistic in achieving our goals.” Imran there.” industries, as Kedah was just being explains his vision, “The real process industrialized. He adds, “there was a great opportunity of learning is to relate what is learned in the classroom to to be engaged with the industry like Kedah Marble and the real world outside the classroom.”

Siemens in Jitra. The collaboration uplifted the image of

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Commanding A Crew Of Agents Of Change

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At the Official opening of Gerik Community College, 2007

COMMANDING A CREW OF AGENTS OF CHANGE “A good leader needs a good follower,” said Imran. As the captain, he appreciates his crew as he believes that to be successful, all on board, have to work hand in hand. Team spirit is the essence in accomplishing a shared mission. Once infused in a team, the spirit glows in the heart of each team member, smoldering interpersonal relationships amongst them.

The spirit also strengthens the bonding where success and failures are shared.

staff develop themselves. “When I see people grow, that’s most satisfying.” He believes that if he can make them grow, he has succeeded in placing another agent down the line to bring about the desired change. Emphasizing accountability, Imran puts in a considerable amount of effort to make his staff aware that they are accountable for themselves. Making this his main target, he wants the staff to be interested and dedicated to their job. Only with dedication can they be passionate with what they do.

“A good leader needs a good follower.”

Imran emphasizes that in an organization, everyone has a role to play. The polytechnics are supported by a group of staff with varied abilities. He proposes a leveled playing field where the junior staff and the more senior staff can complement one another making the most out of each other’s potentials and talents. By acknowledging the diversity of each team member, the team will be better prepared to step on a field to play a good game. It is the team spirit that enables the organization to triumph and win championships.

There is a Chinese saying, “If you grow a seed you harvest a day, if you grow a plant you harvest a hundred years but if you grow people you harvest a lifetime.”

Imran finds it satisfying when he succeeds in helping his

PUO Convocation Ceremony

Imran encourages them to go the extra mile of developing themselves professionally and personally.

Hence Imran promotes the concept of lifelong learning. He is committed in providing the avenues for his staff to venture and reach greater heights. With this in mind, Imran sees the transfer of the polytechnics from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Higher Learning and its restructuring as a positive move. This enables the polytechnic staff to stand a better chance for professional advancement. With the separation, the polytechnics academic staff is able to secure more scholarships, participate in study visits overseas and enjoy better privileges.

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“Everyone would need to be a teacher in one aspect or another, for example, as a corporate figure you still take the role of a teacher, you still need to educate your staff. You’re an educator, mentor and motivator, these are the roles of a teacher.”

With the new DH Scheme in place, Imran hopes to grant his staff with privileges they long deserved. Chances of promotion are higher as they can be promoted even without holding a position in the system. Imran believes that a rewarding scheme will boost the morale of the staff making them more motivated and dedicated. Realizing that the staff of the polytechnics has often been left ‘unnoticed’ because they are somewhere in between the universities and the schools, Imran feels that the introduction of the new scheme is timely.

Imran finds it satisfying when he sees people grow.

In relation to encouraging professional and personal growth, Imran sees the need to recognize their potentials and talents, giving them persistent encouragement, monitoring their progress and rewarding them accordingly.

Imran emphasizes the importance of being versatile and be ready to experiment and experience new things as each day comes. He asserts, an educator plays a multitude of roles. Reminiscing the past when he first started as a lecturer at the Politeknik Ungku Omar, Imran recalled, “At the early stage of my career I was already handling

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many things. I was given the responsibility to take charge of a fleet of buses. I consider myself a small bus manager.

Once, a bus needed repairing after an accident, my boss wanted me to rebuild the bus. I found that he was quite pushy, not allowing us to buy even a small component even when it cost only 50 sen. It took me a while to understand why he did that, only to realize that he actually wanted us to experience manufacturing it. What seemed to be a harsh top down directive and a tough experience turned out to be a meaningful lesson, as is often heard, as your island of knowledge grows, so does your shoreline of wonder.”

PUO Bus

Imran’s passion is teaching. He finds teaching satisfying. “Everyone would need to be a teacher in one aspect or another, for example, as a corporate figure you still take the role of a teacher, you still need to educate your staff. You’re an educator, mentor and motivator, these are the roles of a teacher.”

“I wanted them to be expert in their own way. The people we have must be equipped with skills. If you have the content and skills, it would be easier to advise the people you lead.”

On top of all Imran regards teachers as agents of change, committed to making a difference in their lives and the lives of others. Adopting a new shift in paradigm, as professionals, teachers need to consistently question what good teaching is and how best could they reach out to their students.

Briefing to CIDM committee

have the content and skills, it would be easier to advise the people you lead.” As agents of change the teacher’s role is not just to transfer knowledge but also to teach the students how to lead their lives.

at the 3rd FIRA Robot Soccer Tournament

At the Department’s Monthly Staff Assembly

With their expertise teachers can try to bring out the best in each of them to meet high standards. Imran makes his point, “I wanted them to be expert in their own way.

The people we have must be equipped with skills. If you

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When I see people grow, that’s most satisfying

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Officiating the Excellence in Service Award Ceremony, 2008

Cruising Into A New Course

At Putrajaya International Convention Centre, 2009

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CRUISING INTO A NEW COURSE A Determined Transformer

Commenting on the recent Polytechnic Transformation Plan launced in February 2010, Imran explains that premier polytechnics are introduced to spearhead the transformation process. They act as a catalyst in terms of leading the rest of the polytechnics to the next level.

The Polytechnic Transformation plan is drawn up to enable the polytechnics to face the new challenges and meet new demand in technical education. In line with National Higher Education Strategic Plan. The plan a well-balanced employable human capital with firstclass mentality. with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Higher Education at the launching of Polytechnic Transformation Plan

He elaborates, “Metro polytechnics are located right in the middle of the city and programmes will focus on service-type industries. In the cities, the engine of growth is mostly service oriented, such as finance, banking and insurance. In the city environment, these are the types of jobs very much in abundance.”

“With regard to university polytechnics, there is no intention to change the structure of the polytechnic system per se. The only difference is, when an institution starts to offer degree programmes it is only right that we raise the status to that of a university,” he adds.

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“In other words, we have not changed in terms of our structure, in terms of our focus, our curriculum, our emphasis… we are just moving up one level, we are evolving,”

Imran further elaborates that the proposed Universiti Politeknik or ‘UniPol’ will not solely be offering programmes at degree level because he believes the role of polytechnics is to provide human capital at the mid-level, that is the para-professional level.

However, he stressed that there is still a need to raise the bar to a higher level than where polytechnics are currently.

He likens the progression to an evolution in which the same DNA is carried from the certificate level to the diploma level and advanced diploma level, right up to the degree level. “In other words, we have not changed in terms of our structure, in terms of our focus, our curriculum, our emphasis…we are just moving up one level, we are evolving,” he explains.

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Minister of Higher Education officiating the National Seminar on Instructional Design in Education

He adds, “We started with a certificate programme, it was only after almost 20 years that we began to offer the diploma programme, and another 20 years, the advanced diploma. I think now is the time for us to go to the next level is much shorter. Instead of another 20 years, we hope to see an evolution, a progression of our polytechnics in another five years.”

At the Teaching and Learning Video Festival of JPPKK, a collaboration with SONY Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

A Conversation With Dato’ Haji Imran Idris

I’m very happy, I’m looking forward to my retirement because I’ve served 35 years non-stop

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A CONVERSATION WITH DATO’ HAJI IMRAN IDRIS How do you lead your team, motivate, inspire?

I find it satisfying to see people grow. I’d like to see the department grow from ‘not recognized’ to ‘now very important’. I’d like to see the lecturers grow in terms of their competence, skills and their contributions, and students more sought after by the industry, more employable. If you lead you must see that people gain advantage through your leadership. It’s not about keeping all the advantages to yourself.

What does it take to be a leader?

The leadership textbooks tell us that a leader must have all the necessary traits for them to lead. A leader must be knowledgeable; able to articulate thoughts and ideas so that people feel you are worth following. A leader has a way with handling people, motivating by way of talking to them, meeting them face to face, by way of example. A leader knows where he wants to lead the organization. I read that when we have a good leader without a good follower the organization will not be successful. We require both, the leader and follower need to know their responsibilities towards their organization. It is essential that both parties work hand in hand for the organization to be successful. I used to make a comparison of practices in Malaysia with what I see overseas. In the American context, it has been said that if one goes to the CEO’s office, one can sit on the CEO’s chair but this is not possible for one to do so in Malaysia because it can be misconstrued as very rude and disrespectful. It’s a different culture all together here but what is important to me is, I think a leader should be working for the betterment of the people he leads and the betterment of the institution or organization as a whole. The other thing that I’d like see in a leader is the ability to make people feel that they are proud to be to be part of the organization. That’s why all along I’d like to see that leaders have all the necessary skills and knowledge.

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How do you ensure that your vision is communicated right down to the lowest level?

It’s not easy to meet everyone in the organization, it’s just something that’s not possible but you’ll have to depend on your ‘lieutenants’ or subordinates to see through what you have documented, what you have agreed as your shared vision. We hope this is done through the directors of the polytechnics and the heads of department because they are regularly consulted and regularly updated on the progress of what we do. To ensure that issues are shared with the rest of the staff, I write in the Director General’s column published fortnightly.

Looking back, do you consider yourself to be idealogically and philosophically a different person, from Tn.Hj. Imran to Dato’Hj.Imran?

Essentially I’d say that I’ve not changed in terms of my approach towards my job, my view of the people that I lead, the way that I expect them to perform because I believe that I’d like to see that people grow. The students’ employability is an important factor for us to consider as we have to bear in mind that we should be accountable for whatever we have invested in terms of the students’ training and also education. It is for that reason that I’d like everybody to feel they have a role to play to help achieve our target.

The bottom line is, the students should be employable, and they should carry our flag wherever they are, regardless of whether they are employed in the industry or in the government sector.

There is a lot that I’ve to overcome in terms of what would enable me to move forward, sometimes frustrations can be demoralizing. The disappointment is, as a system, I don’t think I have achieved the level of satisfaction that I’d like to see happening. It’s not easy as there are so many leaders who have not been able to fulfill their aspirations but again to me if every one of us really sees the importance of students’ employability as their main KPI target then I would consider myself very successful.

My other disappointment is that I’ve not been able to bring our polytechnics to the level where people can see that we are a force to be reckoned with. We have not come to a stage where the polytechnics are recognized in terms of their importance like the community college in US or Canada. I cannot have the satisfaction when polytechnics in Malaysia are not accorded the status of institutions like TAFE in Australia. I cannot feel the satisfaction when

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polytechnics in Malaysia are not given the same recognition as polytechnics in Singapore. So in that sense we still have a long way to go and that is my frustration. People do not see polytechnics as important as being regarded in the countries I mentioned earlier. When you are in the ‘mid range’ either you are seen or you may not be seen at all.

Unless and until people see the importance of the role of polytechnics in the progress of the nation only then can they appreciate its significance. I’d like to think that people will see a big loss if polytechnics are not there.

How do you feel about your retirement?

I’m very happy, I’m looking forward to my retirement because I’ve served 35 years non-stop. It has been quite a long journey that I’ve gone through. So I suppose I need that kind of freedom from the continual 35-year service. Imagine if you were to run a long marathon, you really need to have some space and time for yourself.

For the moment there’s no specific retirement plan, I’ll play by the ear. However, I’d definitely like to contribute if there is anything worthwhile for me to venture into, not in the way of full time commitment as how I’ve been working for the past 35 years though. But if my knowledge and experience are deemed useful then I would be happy to contribute.

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started his career as a technical lecturer in Politeknik Ungku Omar (PUO)

29 September 1952, born in Singora, Thailand

gained entry into the University of Liverpool, UK

selected for admission to Malay College Kuala Kangsar

1952

1959

obtained the Malaysian Certificate of Education

1965

1967

started early education in SK Batu Pekaka, Kuala Ketil, Kedah obtained the Lower Certificate of Education (LCE)

1969

1972

1971

1975 1979 1975

obtained the Higher School Certificate (HSC) graduated with a B.(Hons) in Mechanical Engineering

MILESTONE

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became the first graduate Principal of Sek. Men. Vokasional Ipoh

1980

married Dalilah Hj Ahmad

obtained M.Sc in Training and HRM from the University of Leicester, UK

appointed Principal of Politeknik Alor Setar (PAOR/ POLIMAS)

1983

1987

1995

appointed the first Principal of Politeknik Batu Pahat

1998

appointed Director of Community College Management Division, Technical Education Dept.

2001

1999

appointed Director of Technical and Vocational Curriculum Division conferred the Ahli Mangku Negara (AMN) by DYMM Yang di-Pertuan Agong

2005

2008

conferred the Dato’ Setia DiRaja Kedah (DSDK) by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Kedah

retired at 58 years of age

2010

2009

promoted to Director General, Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (DPCCE)

appointed Director General, Department of Polytechnic Education (DPE)

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Letter To A Teacher

by Abraham Lincoln He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true.

But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish Politician, there is a dedicated leader Teach him for every enemy there is a friend, Steer him away from envy, if you can, teach him the secret of quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick Teach him, if you can, the wonder of books But also give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth, and take only the good that comes through.

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Teach him if you can, how to laugh when he is sad Teach him there is no shame in tears, Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders but never to put a price-tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.

Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage to be impatient let him have the patience to be brave.

Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself, because then he will have sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order, but see what you can do He is such a fine little fellow, my son!

The student of SK Batu Pekaka, Kuala Ketil, Kedah

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Special Thanks

Jabatan Pengajian Politeknik Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu Pekaka, Kuala Ketil Sekolah Menengah Teknik Lebuh Cator, Ipoh Kolej Melayu Kuala Kangsar Politeknik Malaysia

and all who have contributed in this project •

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