For all latest news, follow the Daily Sun's Google News channel.
The passing of a distinguished educationist leaves behind far more than an empty chair or a vacant office. It leaves a constellation of memories, a treasury of wisdom and a legacy that continues to illuminate the lives of those who had the privilege of knowing him. The sudden demise of Professor Dr Mohammed Solaiman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Chittagong (USTC), has plunged the university community into profound grief. His departure represents not merely the loss of an academic leader but also the passing of a mentor, an experienced educationist and an affectionate, guardian-like presence whose influence extended beyond the boundaries of his formal responsibilities.
Some individuals command respect through their positions; others earn enduring affection through their character, wisdom and humanity. Professor Solaiman belonged to the latter category. His professional journey, intellectual engagement and association with higher education made him a respected figure in the academic community. Yet, for those who worked alongside him, his significance cannot be measured solely by his professional achievements. It is also reflected in the personal relationships he nurtured, the confidence he inspired and the quiet reassurance his presence offered.
The true worth of a teacher cannot be measured merely by academic qualifications, professional designations or years of service. It is revealed in the minds awakened, the values cultivated, the questions encouraged and the confidence instilled in successive generations. At its finest, teaching is not simply the transmission of information; it is the art of nurturing curiosity, developing independent thought and equipping young people with the intellectual and moral resources to navigate an uncertain world.
Professor Solaiman's association with the University of Chittagong as a teacher formed an important chapter in his academic life. Following his 
retirement from the university's Department of Marketing, he was formally recognised as a supernumerary professor. His professional journey reflected a sustained association with university education and the intellectual traditions that make higher learning a transformative force in society.
An educator's legacy should not be confined to the name of the institution in which he last served. It must be understood through the full arc of his professional journey and the intellectual and human relationships that journey helped create. A university classroom is much more than a space for delivering lectures. It is where ideas encounter questions, assumptions are examined, and young minds begin to discover their potential. The influence of a dedicated teacher often survives long after the final lecture and the awarding of a degree. A word of encouragement, a thoughtful observation or a lesson in integrity may continue to shape a student's professional choices and personal values for decades.
As Vice-Chancellor of USTC, he was responsible for providing academic and administrative leadership to a diverse university community. The office of a Vice-Chancellor demands a delicate balance among institutional priorities, academic aspirations, administrative discipline and the legitimate expectations of teachers, officers, employees and students. Effective leadership requires competence and sound judgement, but it also demands patience, fairness, empathy and an appreciation of the human realities behind institutional decisions. Yet, beyond the formal authority of his office, many will remember Professor Solaiman as a guardian-like figure, a presence associated with experience, reassurance and a sense of belonging.
The finest tribute to a departed educationist is not expressed through words alone. It is demonstrated through a renewed commitment to the ideals he represented: education, scholarship, integrity, service and human dignity. A person's enduring legacy resides in the knowledge shared, the relationships nurtured, the responsibilities fulfilled and the lives positively influenced.
One meaningful way to honour Professor Solaiman would be to continue strengthening USTC's academic environment, research culture, administrative discipline and institutional integrity. Improving the quality of education, encouraging meaningful research, nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for students should remain central to the university's mission. This responsibility belongs to the entire university community. Teachers must continue to inspire intellectual curiosity; administrators must uphold fairness, efficiency and accountability; students must pursue knowledge with diligence and integrity; and the governing authorities must sustain an environment in which academic excellence can flourish.
At this moment of grief, we remember him with profound respect, gratitude and affection. We mourn the loss of a distinguished academic leader and a guardian-like presence whose absence will be deeply felt. Yet, even as we acknowledge the pain of his departure, we must also recognise the enduring responsibility his memory places upon us: to preserve the dignity of academic life, to uphold the values of education and to carry forward the work of building a stronger, more enlightened university.
May Almighty grant him eternal peace and the highest place in heaven. May He grant strength, patience and solace to his bereaved family, colleagues, students and the entire USTC community. Professor Solaiman may have departed from our midst, but the light of a teacher's life does not disappear with his passing. It continues to shine in the minds he awakened, the hearts he touched and the values he helped nurture. Like the shade of a great banyan tree remembered long after a traveller has moved on, his presence will remain woven into the memories of those who knew him.
A life may come to an end, but wisdom generously shared becomes a legacy that time cannot erase.
__________________________________________________
The writer is a Registrar, University of Science and Technology Chittagong (USTC). He can be reached at [email protected]