The Dika College team which is making great strides in the nurturing of teachers and educators.
As with the other organisations led by Dr Sim Quan Seng, women play a key role in strategic and operational decision-making alongside their male counterparts.
Dr Sim (in blue suit) with the Dika College team.

 Make an Impact

I recently came across the commemoration of  Mahatma Gandhi’s 152nd Birth Anniversary, celebrated annually on October 2^nd. It made me realise the impact one person can make for one to be remembered so endearingly. I, for one, have always been enthralled by Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence that has inspired civil rights leaders around the world.

There are others who, through their lives, touched so many people. St Theresa of Calcutta is considered to be the greatest humanitarian in the 20th century. Her personal mission was to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the poorest of the poor while living among them.

The gentleman, or junzi, philosophy of Confucianism has made a great impact in China and around the world. Its founder, Confucius, through his philosophy of education, was instrumental in establishing the art of teaching as a vocation.

Make It Personal

What did Confucius, Gandhi and St Theresa of Calcutta have in common?

Their life philosophies made them teachers. Their personal missions in life made them great teachers.

There are a few things that form my life philosophy:-

I hope to re-educate the world on who and what a great teacher is. I want to nurture teachers to have the mindset of an educator and the heart of a teacher. I believe deeply that it is the ‘Heart that Matters’ and that the heart plays a key role anatomically and emotion-wise to control the brain.

I want to emphasise the role of men as the head and teacher of their families. This is not for the male gender to lord over their female counterparts; rather it is to emphasise how a man must love his wife and care for their children.

I want women to be recognised as co-partners of their male counterparts. Women play an unequivocal and important role in the nurturing of the community; and their voices are important.

Make It Conscious

Through the years, I have always tried to consciously reflect on my perceptions of life. How would I choose to spend money? What kind of car do I drive or hope to own? How do I travel (business class, economy class)? Do I expect or give preferential treatment from or to VIPs? Am I punctual?

These may sound trivial, but in answering them, it helps me define the person who is staring back at me in the mirror.

Drop me a comment to share how you define your life philosophy.

I am sure we can take a leaf out of each other’s experiences.

Have a great week.

Dr Sim Quan Seng