Set a positive goal for yourself. Once you set your goal, you need to make sure that you wholeheartedly intend to serve your religion, country, family and friends. -Khurram Hussain
Times of Youth: How would you describe yourself? Do give us a brief introduction.
Khurram Hussain: I am a simple, common man who is very passionate about his work and strives to be a good Muslim and earn as many blessings of the Almighty Allah as possible. My life circles around my work and family, the two things that mean the most to me.
I have been through tons of hardships to reach where I am today and Alhamdulillah I am thankful for each and every obstacle that I have faced in life, for it has made me who I am today.
I have completed my B.A (Honors) in Islamiyat and Computer studies from Sheikh Zayed University. After which I went for my Masters in Islamic Studies from Karachi University. I began my teaching career from Beaconhouse School System, where I taught Islamiyat and Computers to O’ levels. Since then I have been affiliated with several prestigious organizations.
Times of Youth: Who inspired you to take up this profession?
Khurram Hussain: Since my university days I was deeply inspired by my teacher, Sir Tayyab. He helped me out a couple of times. He was my inspiration. I wanted to be like him, a good teacher.
Actually my desire to teach first blossomed when I went to give a demo class at Quaid-e-Azam school on the highway, after my intermediate. Though teaching a class of naughty grade 8 boys, being only 4 -5 years older than them, was not an easy experience but I pulled it off well; and that made me feel that it was what I was meant to do. It seemed like my destination, a new found passion. Somewhere deep down I had decided what I wanted to become; and meeting Sir Tayyab helped me in realizing that I should pursue my dream.
Times of Youth: If not this, what else would you have taken up as your 2nd career of choice and why?
Khurram Hussain: I have always believed in working of the betterment for my religion and my country, so I am sure whatever I would have chosen would have been for this very cause.
I would’ve also loved to become a cricketer. I’m a huge fan of the game and was a skilled bowler when I played with my friends back in the days.
Times of Youth: Do tell us how has your experience has been in your current field so far.
Khurram Hussain: I find teaching to be a very rewarding profession; you can actually witness your hard work paying off. You can see your students blossom under the light of what you’ve taught them. My experience as a teacher has been amazing. I have Alhamdulillah found my profession in my passion. So it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Allah has blessed me with a successful career in what I love doing.
Times of Youth: What is your philosophy of education?
Khurram Hussain: To me, education is not just about studying and exams. Education is an art; the art of learning, the art of implementing, the art of understanding. There’s a lot more to it than just the worthless race for grades and scores. Education shouldn’t just remain in your knowledge and mind, real education is what shows in your personality, your speaking and you overall. Education doesn’t mean to only know, it’s about your mental, spiritual, and personal grooming.
Times of Youth: How would your students describe you as a teacher?
Khurram Hussain: A question like this can only be answered by my students; you can expect various answers, both positive and negative. Everyone has a right to have opinions. Many of my students have expressed their very kind views about me on my Facebook profile, the overwhelming response made me feel honored and blessed.
Times of Youth: What kind of a student were you in your schooling years?
Khurram Hussain: I was always a very quiet and shy kid. Always tried to be modest and respected my teachers. As far as my academics are concerned, I was an average student.
Times of Youth: What is the most difficult aspect of teaching today?
Khurram Hussain: With the advancements in today’s era, students are becoming more knowledgeable and enthusiastic learners. Every student has a passion, an opinion and goals; which is very good, but what I feel is lost somewhere in all this are the ethics and moral values that students in the older times withheld. The same values that I remember abiding by as a kid. In my opinion, inculcating those values back in the students is the most difficult aspect of teaching today.
Times of Youth: What interests do you pursue outside of the classroom?
Khurram Hussain: I enjoy spending my time in learning new things about my subject and anything in general. I also love to play cricket for which I hardly get any time now as all of us friends are busy with our personal and professional lives. Last but definitely not the least; I love to shop especially clothes, watches and shoes.
Times of Youth: Describe your ideal classroom.
Khurram Hussain: An ideal classroom is something non-existent. You can’t imagine to have an ideal example of a place where many imperfect people come together to learn, to get educated. There are going to be mistakes, there is going to be confusion; but I believe an ideal classroom should be a place in which imperfect people go inside and come out learned, knowledgeable and victorious over their imperfections.
Times of Youth: If you could start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Khurram Hussain: If I could start it all over again, I would keep record of every student that I teach and will try to send them greetings on special occasions.
Times of Youth: What is one question nobody has ever asked you— that you wish they asked you?
Khurram Hussain: This is one difficult question to answer. As a teacher of hundreds of students a year, I get asked a lot of questions. When I say a lot, I mean A LOT. So I really can’t come up with what’s still left to ask.
Times of Youth: What message would you like to give to the youth of today?
Khurram Hussain: As I have said in my previous interview, I have a few rules for every person who’s aiming to be successful. It’s more like 4 ingredients or steps to my recipe of success. I share it with my students every year to help them become better people of a better society. It goes something like this:
1) Set a positive goal for yourself. Once you set your goal, you need to make sure that you wholeheartedly intend to serve your religion, country, family and friends.
2) Work as hard as you possibly can with immense determination until you achieve your desired goal. Never give up on your goals in life.
3) Keep strengthening your faith through your prayers, and keep seeking God’s guidance. Believe in yourself, and believe that you are capable of achieving anything in the world as long as you have Allah’s assistance. Success will definitely be yours.
4) Once you have achieved your goal or have come near to it, be grateful to God; spread His word, share His blessings with His men. In the name of Allah, give back the fair share of what you have been blessed with, to the society.
This is exactly what I have followed in my life and I recommend this to every other individual in my life, especially my students.