Macalinkii Madaxweynaha Noqday

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning”, said
Brad Henry, a famous American politician. Teachers come and go in classroom environment
but very few inspire their students. I was very lucky to have such an inspirational instructor
whom I am indebted. Mr. Ridwan, my sociology lecturer at Amoud University, encouraged
me to be a champion, a dedicated student, and a lifelong learner. The time and the place I
met him, his exceptional skills in teaching, the pleasant memory, his outstanding personality,
and the final exam he gave us left a permanent mark on both my heart and my mind.
In 2008, after I finished and earned my secondary school diploma from Omar Samatar
Secondary School in Galkaio, Central Somalia, I paid a visit with my mother to Borama, a
town I had not seen since I was born. We took a long and expensive journey that covered 860
kilometers all the way to Borama. My plan was not well defined. I was just happy with my
return to my father land and learn and stay with my relatives. Perhaps going and studying at
Amoud was a secondary priority to me. But things changed as classes started. Amoud
University, a public institution located in the city of Borama in the northern Somaliland, a
breakaway region of Somalia, was started in 1997 to fill the vacuum of higher education that
the former state of Somalia vacated in the civil war that broke out in 1991. It was at this time
I met a young and energetic lecturer, Mr. Ridwan. He was a sociology lecturer that not only
me but all the students in my class admired most. He was an inspirational teacher. To me he
was a gift from Allah that instilled the love of knowledge in my heart.
His exceptional skills in teaching were beyond the expression of my words. First he mastered
the content knowledge of his subject. The way he explained the major ideas of the course was
a great indicator of how deep and wide his knowledge was. Next his teaching methodology
added a new flavor to his greatness in teaching. His favorite lecturing tool was power point
presentation in which Mr. Ridwan used effectively. I do remember the way he managed the
power point slides. It took him to explore the idea in one slide in more than 10 minutes. The
power point slides were very small in number but cemented with his broad knowledge on the
course. Students in Mr. Ridwan’s class felt a sense of great joy because their ideas were
considered as an integral part of the class. Students’ class discussions and presentations
contributed a lot to the lecturer. In this part of the class, students’ ideas light the classroom.
Furthermore, mini debates were established in a regular five minutes class time basis.
Human beings often forget bad memories .He take lessons from them for future purpose in
order to avoid the repetition. But pleasant memories go with him day in, day out. A memory
that still rings in my ear occurred in my freshman class. Imagine your name being mentioned
in a number of classes by a beloved teacher. One day, in a discussion session of the class, Mr.
Ridwan as usual bombarded us smart questions. Among them, there was question that
triggered my mind. The question was, “What is the positive impact of Somali sea pirates?” I

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raised my hand and I gave a humble answer. To my surprise the other classes in which
Teacher Ridwan taught the same course praised my answer. My face glittered with joy and
looked as if one piece of a full moon fell on my face.
Great teachers have many admirable qualities but honesty and commitment rank at the top.
What made Lecturer Ridwan a very beloved and distinguished person was his personal
charisma-Honest. To the best of his ability he, Mr. Ridwan conveyed the knowledge of the
course honestly by referring to many sources like the course book, articles, video clips and
giving us a reading assignment at the end of every class. He never missed a class, never
arrived late, and never departed early. Truly, my sociology lecturer was a committed to both
his course and the class time.
In my generation exams hardly motivate us but lo and behold an influential instructor can use
the same exam as a motivating tool. In the exam room, the sociology exam papers were
passed out. Multiple choice, filling gaps, and an essay written in Somalia language were the
main constituent of the exam paper. The very end of the exam was an essay written in
Somalia language “Waxaan Ahay 4.5” I am 4.5. For me that was not just an exam but more
than that. I took it as an assignment that is waiting me to solve smartly and gently.
When and where I met the lecturer, his unique experience in teaching, memorable event, his
extraordinary and God gifted personality and end of the semester’s exam reminds me how
great influential and memorable teacher he was. Great teachers not only teach us but also
prepare us psychological, ethically and pedagogically so as to be great teachers like them.
Mr. Ridwan did that. With his eloquence and knowledge, he made sure that every one of us
got it. The message of honesty and commitment still remains in my mind. Teaching is an art
and craft. But to him it goes beyond that. It was a platform and an opportunity that he
prepared future doctors, lawyers, teachers, intellectuals, scholars, thinkers and above all
future presidents.