imes of Youth: How would you describe yourself? Do give us a brief introduction.
Waqas Khan: I would describe myself as a very hard working person. Someone who would never stop and keep working like a machine to reach the top. I’m a man of action and I believe one must keep moving forward and make the most out of time as it is a very precious thing. I don’t give up easily and if I set my mind on something, I use my full potential and give it my very best to achieve it. I am goal-oriented and I believe in thinking outside the box.
Times of Youth: Who inspired you to take up this profession?
Waqas Khan: I am inspired by Holy Prophet (PBUH) since he is the best teacher there ever was.
Times of Youth: If not this, what else would you have taken up as your 2nd career of choice and why?
Waqas Khan: A second choice is something I have never thought of, still if the question has aroused, to think on a second option I would have liked to continue with a business, as I have done MBA in marketing, MA in economics and I am a certified CISA. Therefore, starting up with a business would have been cool enough for me to continue with. But, truly speaking, what pleasure and comfort I seek by preparing the bright stars of future, I can’t get in any other options that I have.
Times of Youth: Do tell us how has your experience has been in your current field so far.
Waqas Khan: To talk about my experience, it has been pretty remarkable. No doubt, it’s fun to come across thousands of new minds each year and each year comes with new challenges for me which I enjoy a lot.
Times of Youth: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself as a teacher, honestly?
Waqas Khan: I would love to rate myself 10/10 but I am not self-obsessed and I believe that there is always room for improvement. Furthermore, one should never let go of opportunities to bring out changes in the students for the better. Hence, I would rate myself somewhere between 6 and 8. Honestly you should be asking this question from my students since they can judge me well than my own self.
Times of Youth: What is/are the most challenging aspect/s of your career?
Waqas Khan: The most challenging aspect of my career is to deliver the best I can when I enter a classroom. Giving each and every student the same importance every time can be pretty challenging. Moreover, the fact that I have to cater to all sorts of students with such a vast syllabus in limited time can be tough. It’s a big challenge for a teacher to entertain and maintain a balance for the weakest of students and the brightest of students.
Times of Youth: What kind of a student were you in your schooling years?
Waqas Khan: To be honest, I was never a nerd. I was very active and very enthusiastic learner. A knowledge-seeker and a very curious child who wanted to explore the world! I was quiet naughty but studying was never a burden to me. I always excelled with flying colors except in chemistry. I never enjoyed chemistry!
Times of Youth: Who according to you is an ideal student? Have you ever come across any?
Waqas Khan: An ideal student is one who isn’t just a bookworm but also smart. One who knows tactics to deal with difficult subjects and one who is loyal to his/her career. An ideal student for me isn’t only a nerd but an all-rounder who excels in all sorts of things. Someone who respects their teachers and knows how to maintain a balance between their social life and their career.
Waqas Khan: The biggest draw-back in today’s education system is the fact that students are being judged only on their grades. Their abilities and their talents are neglected only due to this. Ideas outside the course curriculum aren’t entertained and students these days study to get good grades rather than gaining knowledge. There is no- limit to a child’s creativity and imagination, we all must adopt such an education system where the minds of children can wander off and come up with innovative ideas to make this world a better place. I believe there shouldn’t be a full stop anywhere, as for me ‘the sky’s the limit’.
Times of Youth: Which Guinness world record would you like to set?
Waqas Khan: I would like to set the Guinness world record of being the world’s fastest and the best mathematician who can come up with shortcuts of almost anything!
Times of Youth: Who/what is your ideal?
Waqas Khan: My ideal firstly is my father and then after him my teacher (Sir Munawwar)
Times of Youth: Which current personalities do you believe are the most influential in today’s times, especially for current younger generation?
Waqas Khan: I think the most current influential persona is Mark Zuckerberg as he has achieved so much in such a young age. He is a total genius and has spread the message of communication and importance of communication in so many ways and in so many countries. Secondly, Marc Jacobs. I mean what would the world be like without a hint of fashion?
Times of Youth: Please comment on how YOU would like to bring a practical and rational change in the condition of the world using your skills.
Waqas Khan: I am not just a teacher but a mentor for my students; therefore I play an important role in making this world a better place. I teach my students not only the core curriculum but the ethics too as to how they should spend their lives. I try my level best to sculpt my students into good human beings. I feel that the biggest problem of our society is irresponsibility and I prefer to make it vanish away from our society by teaching my students the sense of responsibility. If we talk about the current status of our society undoubtedly it’s totally corrupt but the way I am preparing my students, teaching them to be regular, honest, punctual, acknowledge morals and have self-respect, I am pretty sure it’s going to make a huge difference as I live by the idea ‘One man can make a difference’ . Moreover, I want to spread education in rural areas where education is needed and I want to spread the love of education amongst everyone so that the literacy rate of underdeveloped countries can increase.
Times of Youth: “Education is a mission, but today it has become a lucrative business” your comment on this?
Waqas Khan: Indeed, it is true that education has become business and I believe everyone including me is a part of it. Yes, in order to spend a good life one needs money but money shouldn’t be considered in the field of education. We should try to change this money factor and try to engrave the fact in today’s generation that there should be importance of spreading knowledge not ‘earning money’ from it.
Times of Youth: What message would you like to give to the youth of today?
Waqas Khan: The message I would like to give to the youth of today is, to work extremely hard as hard work is most definitely the key to success. To be honest in every step of life and to become better human beings. To promote knowledge and prosperity in every corner of the world. I want each and every individual to stop criticizing or commenting or stop giving importance to what other people are doing rather, have a peek inside their hearts and realize what they themselves are up to. Once you start making changes in yourself, automatically others will adopt from you. Set good examples for others and the world will be a whole lot better hopefully. Lastly, I would like to add; Respect your elders and your teachers and never ever give up in life! Give it your very best to achieve what you aspire and never stop believing!
