Posted by This is a part 2 of the address by Anis Haffar, on the occasion of the 10th Matriculation Ceremony of Accra College of Medicine, at the ACM Auditorium (Accra) on Saturday, 22nd February 2025.
Collaborate through Peer Teaching
As you learn to collaborate with each other, I will share this particular experience with you. About 3 years ago, some of my students – at a point – complained to me about some difficulties in a particular course that they were taking.
Upon engaging with them, I realized that those particular difficulties that the majority of them encountered were not shared by 4 or so of their colleagues. So, I suggested to them to form study groups led by those 4, who could teach the others. Now remember this. You are with each other all the time. You are not with the teachers all the time. You sit right next to each other. So learn to collaborate.
Form study groups with those who can help you in particular courses. Look at your own fingers; they are not all the same. Some of your mates will pick particular concepts faster. Others will pick certain notions quicker. But when you put all the brains together, we are brighter and stronger together. A collaborative team works like magic. Never forget that.
Even as an experienced teacher, with registered miles on my professional radar – both nationally and internationally – some of my happiest moments are when I’m learning from my own children: And, of course, mostly when I am learning from you, my students. My Learner Centred approach in teaching is for that purpose; to create a suitable, user-friendly environment for you to think your own best thoughts, with the freedom to excel in your own right. As you must realize by now – after 4 sessions in my Creative and Critical Thinking class with you – I choose listen much more to you; than I speak! Not so?
Document your work
There’s a tendency for many people to think it’s not important to take life seriously. I beg to differ. I do take life seriously, especially my professional life. In fact, I take my work so seriously that I document almost every useful thing – both my successes and challenges.
Success means what you have done that worked, and hoping others would emulate your example. A challenge means some new discoveries or curiosities you need to pursue to be more enlightened about your own vocation to enhance your life’s purpose. You are so important, and your real essence has to show,
I repeat, learn to document your work. That is the reason why, ten minutes to the end of every session, we stop to allow each one of you a period to reflect on the time spent together. It’s a Closure activity for Reflection. We may call that session an Epiphany: moments of Revelation or Realization. Through that, at the end of the term, you will have authored a book; created your own content – copies of which will be kept in the School Library. As we already learned in my class, To think out of the Box, start by creating your own Box; in the process you create your own luck.
As I speak to you, I’ve written over 500 columns since 1998, and published three books; with about 6 more in my laptop all through the documentation of my work. My blog, for example, is read all over the world. And there are benefits to being exemplary in your chosen field, and being recognized as such. I don’t want you to ever forget that. Remember, serious people will be willing to collaborate with you, to hear you, to seek your guidance, etc. so the idea is to be the very best you can. The rewards can be tremendous!
I’ve had many opportunities – through fully paid invitations – to travel to many parts of the world, and it’s really assuring, especially so when you are put on flights and accommodated in hotels.
There’s room at the top
I will share just one experience as an invited guest for an event December, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey. When I arrived, accommodation in 5 star Hilton Hotel had been arranged for me. And a Double Penthouse, at that. As the attendant opened the door to the suite, the first thing I saw was a private conference room, with two fully furnished apartments that had everything imaginable: One entrance opened to the left, and another – the master – opened to the right on a top floor overlooking large chunks of that beautiful city.
You may not know this: But I started class from a village called Tutuka, in Obuasi. We lived in a mud house with my grandmother: And for me, advancing from a Mud house to a Double Penthouse was a big deal!
So finally, all I’m saying is this: Be exemplary, and allow your work to speak for you. There’s always room at the top: We need leaders like you to make Ghana better and better.
As the good book put it: Do not hide your light under a bushel. But place it on a hill so that everybody can see it, and praise your Creator! This is my most fervent wish for you as your steer straight into this most noble profession that heals the sick, and prevents undue deaths.
Thank you, all, for this golden opportunity to share these brief moments with you!
God bless us all. Amen!
Email: anishaffar@gmail.com
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