What’s in a name -Part 2

Concluding Part 2

UMT

The campus of the second centre of learning on my drive home, UMT (Universiti Malaysia Terengganu), approaches soon after we pass the University mosque (my Kusza mosque). UMT is across the road on the right. So if I were to salute the two universities I would have my left hand up for UniSZA and my right for UMT until I part with them both at a mini roundabout. Now let us see how this second great university developed itself since 1994.

-------------------------------------------------------

When I began to drive along this road in 1994, UMT was then the Terengganu campus of Universiti Pertanian (UPMT). However, in 1997 the PERTANIAN matured to become Universiti Putra (still UPMT).

In 1999 UMPT took a new name, KUT (Kolej Universiti Terengganu). Then in 2001, KUT transformed itself into KUSTEM (Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi). I can only presume that Terengganu would not want to be seen lacking in the in-thing, science and technology.

That was not the end of it. In 2007 KUSTEM had to undergo further development. That K for Kolej had to make way for a proper U (sudah jadi universiti lah). After all, its neighbour across the road had shed off the college image. KUSTEM now became University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).

--------------------------------------------------------------

IPGM Kampus Dato’ Razali Ismail

Pakcik must not be seen to sideline another establishment known as Kolej Perguruan Batu Rakit, just about 3 kilometers away from my home. Because changes in a name was becoming quite common, I hardly realised that this very important centre of learning for teachers was upgraded from a college image to Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (IPGM)- Batu Rakit.

Then last year this IPGM was declared assuming a new name Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia Kampus Dato’ Razali Ismail (IPGM Dato’ Razali Ismail).

----------------------------------------------------------

Not Bothered To Change

Seeing what I have seen, I wonder whether I want to feel sorry for those who refuse to change with time. Since I have picked three centres of learning close to me, a matter of six kilometer radius away, let me, likewise, take three centres which are far away, three that do not seem to have advanced with time. They have been there for more than 100 years, a whole CENTURY without a change. The following centres of excellence have remained an institute, a school and a college respectively.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Founded in 1861.

2. London School of Economics (LSE). Founded in 1895

3. Imperial College London (IC London). Founded 1907

-------------------------------------------------------------

While we continue making changes to reflect advancement and achievement, I am reminded of Ayat 26-27 of Surah 55 translated by Muhammad Asad as “ All that lives on earth or in the heavens is bound to pass away: but forever will abide thy Sustainer’s Self, full of majesty and glory.” - Nothing, absolutely nothing is permanent

----------------------------------------------------------

Special note for dear ex-Almanar pupils.

Do not be surprised next time you call on us you will see a more glamorous (canggeh lah) name than Nuri and Al-Manar. But I will still be Pakcik to you, and a Datuk to ten individuals who shortened it to a simple ‘Ki’ to reflect endearment and respect to a real datuk. You, too, may consider changing as you move through life, but be mindful that you and I can never dream of making anything permanent - like the above Quranic verse itself, immortal.

Berkhidmat Kerana Tuhan Untuk Kemanusiaan

Hatinya baik (He had a wonderful heart) – Part 2 ( Al Fatihah)

While the world are celebrating the joy of New Year, Pak Cik would like to spare a moment thinking of how I should put it in plain words my thought of an unhappy event that took place in November, the month that saw me writing about the significance of 01-01-01, the Poppy Day (Pak Cik Reminisces Part 5), and the departure of a very dear friend, Dato' Ahmad Badri (Hatinya baik - Part 1).

Pak Cik ended the year of 2008 with the posting of old prayers that I transcribed from the first page of my diary written 50 years earlier on 01-01-1959, in Happy New Year 1430H and 2009. So let me begin 2009 with an equally solemn piece.

The untimely departure of Dato’ Razali Ismail was widely published. It is getting to be an old event and fading into the past. My diary today is this blog and I simply have to record something meaningful to me. (By no means Pak Cik am expecting to read this in another 50 years’ time!) I was very tempted to write about that event when the death took place but resisited it. Allah Yarham was special and I had to wait for a special time to record it hoping the effect would be special too. So allow Pak Cik to make this to be my new year posting, requesting an Alfatihah from my Almanar pupils and my Muslim readers for this very special person – hatinya baik.

Datuk Ahmad Badri (of my posting, Hatinya Baik - Part 1) left two days into the month of November. He was very close as a friend. Dato’ Razali left us two days before the end of the same month. Unlike the former I cannot call him a friend. He married into a member of my family. He addressed me as ‘Wah’ like some of Pak Cik’s nieces and nephews. Others preferred ‘Ayah Ngah’, instead. To you, my Almanar children who are equally precious to me, it has been ‘Pak Cik’. One day I will write about how I own different names!

Pak Cik will not write what has been published in our mass media. I want to be more specific of the very thing this extraordinary mortal did that touched me. It was something very personal and flattering but I do not think he realised how that inspired me to carry on with my effort at a time when I was uncertain whether the difficulty I was experiencing then was worth my time and effort. I had disapproval, believe it or not, from a number of individuals in the field of education. In fact I still have some today. You know some of them are in your own school, dear Almanar pupils.

One morning in September 2002, when Almanar was in its seventh year of existence, two cars pulled up in front of Pak Cik’s house. From one of them stepped out two gentlemen dressed in dark suits. One was the unmistakeable bubbly Dato’ Razali whom I knew too well. Following him was a tall gentleman who was introduced to me as Datuk Abdul Rafie Mahat (not yet a Tan Sri then), who was the Malaysian Director General of Education. Helding my hands firmly this important figure from Kuala Lumpur uttered something which still rings clear in my ears today, “I want to meet the unsung hero.” I was completely taken aback by that ‘unsung hero’ bit. What had this state Director of Education been telling his boss that prompted the latter to make that very special brief visit? - an important national figure paying homage to an old kampong folk.

That was not the end of the ‘unsung hero’ episode. About four months later Pak Cik made an appointment to meet the Principal of a secondary school outside my area. I had to introduce myself and my involvement with Almanar. His eyes lit up as something suddenly dawned on him. “So, you are the ‘unsung hero’ our DG mentioned in his talk!” That was Pak Cik’s second surprise. I could only guess, not wanting to show my interest, that the late Tan Sri Rafie had chosen to quote me and Almanar in his speech some time during his visit to the state.

In no small way the above episode inspired me. Unexpected recognition by people who matters in my type of activity did just that. Sadly both of them departed at a time when they could have continued to serve ‘kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan’ – Dato’ Razali at 59 as the Deputy Minister of Education, and Tan Sri Abdul Fafie Mahat at 60 as the Chairman of Education Service Commission.

From the number of conversations I had with Allah Yarham Dato’ Razali I can categorically say education was in his blood. He preached what he believed and he proved that what he believed could be substantiated. He was not one who blew his own trumpet. Only those close to him knew he raised good children, his eldest being a graduate from Cambridge . He was not just a father, a teacher, a principal of a Teachers’ Training College , a state Director of Education and a Deputy Minister of Education for nothing. Many owe him something. Pak Cik owe him his simple gesture, the ‘unsung hero’ episode, that I interpret as a sign of the man’s attitude and dedication towards education. Little did he realise what it meant to Pak Cik, an inspiration at a time I needed it most.

For one who had a good heart ( orang yang mempunyai hati baik) let us pray that he is being suitably rewarded by the Absolute Creator Himself. Let us recite Alfatihah for him, for Tan Sri Ahmad Rafei and the likes of them.

Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.