An early inspirer of today's leaders
Hafiz GA Siddiqi
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” University of Dhaka business professor Hafiz GA Siddiqi is such a great man. For more than 40 years, he has tirelessly moulded future successful leaders in various sectors of our economy.
In addition to teaching, Dr Siddiqi has engaged in research, consultancy and business. A consultant to many world-renowned organisations and adviser to numerous government agencies, he has authored several books, and is considered an authority on the readymade garment industry.
Dr Siddiqi started teaching at Institute of Business Administration (IBA), where he served for 20 years. His brilliant and teaching methods and prolific performance ultimately earned him the director's chair at the institute. He moved to the United States and taught as professor of international business and management at two universities for eight years, after which he returned to his homeland and joined the newly established North-South University (NSU), now one of Bangladesh's top private universities. He is now the Vice Chancellor and CEO of North-South University.
Business education, in a rapidly developing country like ours, is vital to our goal of becoming a middle- income country. A great teacher nurtures the ambitions of budding entrepreneurs, guiding them towards their potential destinations. Many of today's successful businesspeople came from either IBA or NSU. Siddiqi's former students are now at the helm of multinational organisations, in the domestic top corporate tier, or are driving changes in regulatory bodies.
Despite a firm persona, Professor Siddiqi has an amicable and selfless character that is widely admired.
He instils in his pupils the importance of corporate integrity and moral courage. He trained students to become good at businessmen and also good human beings. The professor believes his pupils should not only create value through profit-generation, they should equally focus on protecting the planet. He expects his graduates to serve social and business causes alike, and strive for peace and justice.
His former students are indebted to him. In this competitive and fast-paced world, knowledge is the greatest tool. And so this renowned academician and friend, philosopher and guide, now soon to retire, has been an invaluable enricher of young minds. I am certain I speak for all whose lives he has touched when I quote Shakespeare: “I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.”