To Build a Creative Generation, We Must First Create Skilled Teachers: An Interview with Dr. J. Ali
Exclusive Interview | Ajker Patrika
From the dusty village paths and golden mustard fields of Tangail to the highest echelons of academia, the journey of Dr. Mohammad Zulfikar Ali (widely known as Dr. J. Ali) is a story of passion and purpose. An educator with nearly 18 years of experience, a soft-skill trainer, and a prolific author, Dr. Ali currently serves as the Head of the Department of Business Administration at Presidency University.
In a detailed conversation with Abdur Razzaq Khan of Ajker Patrika, he reflects on his life, the importance of student discipline, and why our education system must evolve to foster creativity.
A Childhood Rooted in Nature and Literature
Reflecting on his early days, Dr. Ali describes a childhood immersed in nature—playing with friends, eating seasonal fruits straight from the trees, and listening to old Bengali melodies. His literary spark came from his father, a cultural figure in Tangail. This early exposure led to a lifelong habit of writing, starting with poems in local weeklies to publishing acclaimed motivational books like:
- “Are You Looking for a Job, but What is the Employer Looking For?”
- “Stress Management”
- “Legend’s Silent Wealth”
Guiding the Next Generation: Lessons in Success
Dr. Ali’s books, “Sofolotar Prothom Path” (The First Lesson of Success) and “Chabuk” (The Whip), serve as essential guides for today’s youth.
- The First Lesson: Success requires a roadmap. Most students fall behind simply because they don’t know what skills are needed for the corporate world while they are still studying.
- The ‘Whip’ for Change: “Chabuk” aims to shock students out of their complacency. Dr. Ali observes that many dream big but waste their prime years on social media and unproductive habits. He emphasizes that global leaders are forged through self-discipline and hard work during their student life.
The Sales Philosophy: Selling Trust, Not Just Products
In his book “Idurer Pocket Money”, Dr. Ali shares practical insights for sales and marketing professionals. His core philosophy is simple yet profound: “Customers do not buy products; they buy trust.” He emphasizes that succeeding in the corporate world requires mastering “Boss Management” and building genuine professional relationships.
The Creativity Crisis: Why Our Education System Produces “Followers”
The most critical part of the dialogue focused on why our students lack creativity. Dr. Ali pointed out four systemic failures:
- Textbook Dependency: Teachers must read beyond the syllabus. Without knowledge of philosophy, history, and science, a teacher remains a mere information provider rather than an inspiration.
- Recruitment Flaws: We prioritize CGPA over critical thinking. A high achiever in a rote-learning system often perpetuates the same flaws when they become a teacher.
- Lack of Training: Education is a continuous process. Many institutions neglect professional development for teachers, leading to stagnant classrooms.
- The Authority Gap: The traditional teacher-student hierarchy discourages questioning. Creativity thrives where students feel safe to make mistakes and challenge ideas.
“If we truly want to build a creative generation, we must first focus on developing creative teachers. We need a culture of lifelong learning and free thinking.” — Dr. J. Ali
Stay Connected
For the full Bengali interview and more insights, visit the official links:
- Read the full interview on Ajker Patrika
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