Published: 12:00 AM, 14 November 2026
Beyond Classrooms and Textbooks: Bonds That Time Could Never Fade
There are certain chapters in life that never fade away no matter how many years pass or how far the journey takes us. They remain delicately woven into the fabric of our memories and continue to illuminate our hearts with warmth and affection.
My years at Metropolitan University, Sylhet, from 2012 to 2016, constitute one such remarkable chapter. Those were not merely years of teaching, conducting lectures and fulfilling academic responsibilities. Those were years of extraordinary human connections, intellectual discoveries, shared laughter and an abundance of love that has remained undiminished by the passage of time. Looking back on those days fills my heart with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and nostalgia.
During my association with the English Department at Metropolitan University, I had the privilege of teaching some exceptionally talented and wonderful students whose names have become inseparable from my favourite memories of teaching life.
Farzana Sanji, Bably Moon, Abdur Rahman, Muhammad Mukit, Muhammad Ali Zaki, Juned, Sharmin Dolly, Jahangir Alam, Siddique and Sumaiya Hasib are among those cherished students who made my teaching experience particularly meaningful. Each of them brought something distinctive to the classroom.
Their intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm for learning, individual attributes and affectionate gestures transformed ordinary academic encounters into amazing experiences. They gave me some of the sweetest memories to cherish and an immeasurable magnitude of love that has truly stood the test of time.
Teaching English literature to these students was an immensely delightful experience. Our classroom discussions often revolved around some of the most influential literary figures and philosophical thinkers in English literature. Exploring the fictional universe of Charles Dickens, examining the transcendentalist philosophy of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson and discussing the literary affluence of James Fenimore Cooper opened up fascinating avenues of intellectual engagement.
These literary view exchange sessions were never confined to the mechanical interpretation of texts or the memorizing of critical observations. Rather, these classroom speeches became opportunities to explore human nature, moral responsibility, individual freedom, social dimensions and the timeless labyrinth of human existence.
I can still vividly recall the enthusiasm with which my students participated in classroom discussions. Their questions often encouraged me to approach familiar literary texts from fresh perspectives.
Sometimes an apparently simple question would lead to an elaborate discussion that extended beyond the boundaries of the prescribed syllabus. At other times, a student's thoughtful comment would inspire an entirely new interpretation of a literary character or philosophical idea. Such moments made teaching a deeply rewarding intellectual pursuit.
I gradually realized that education is never a one-way process in which teachers simply impart knowledge to students. It is an ongoing dialogue in which both teachers and learners discover new windows of understanding.
Indeed, the experiences I gathered while conducting those classroom lectures taught me priceless lessons that continue to illuminate my academic pathways. My students helped me appreciate the beauty of intellectual exchange and the importance of upholding a wider mindset on different perspectives.
They reminded me that a teacher's influence is not measured exclusively by academic achievements or examination results. It is also reflected in the relationships nurtured through mutual respect, kindness, encouragement and shared intellectual curiosity. In many ways, those young minds enriched my own understanding of literature and life.
What made my relationship with these fabulous students particularly special was that our celestial bonds were never confined within the four walls of classrooms. The warmth of our association frequently extended into informal gatherings and delightful conversations outside the university. I cordially remember those occasions when we would meet at coffee houses and enjoy snacks while engaging in literary discussions.
Sometimes our conversations would begin with a particular author or literary text and gradually wander into questions about philosophy, society, culture, personal aspirations, humorous quips and the mysteries of human existence. These informal exchanges created an atmosphere of intellectual companionship that was both refreshing and memorable.
There was something profoundly beautiful about those moments. Away from the formalities of academic life, we could communicate more freely and discover one another's thoughts, dreams and aspirations. A cup of coffee or a plate of snacks often became the setting for conversations that left lasting impressions on my mind.
Such encounters reinforced my belief that meaningful education extends far beyond textbooks, lecture notes and examination halls. The most enduring lessons are sometimes learned through spontaneous conversations and genuine interpersonal alliances. Although the years from 2012 to 2016 now belong to the past, the affection I feel for those students remains vibrantly alive. Time may have carried us along different professional and personal journeys. Some may have established themselves in their chosen careers while others may still be pursuing their dreams and exploring new possibilities.
Geographical distances and the demands of everyday life may have changed the frequency of our interactions but these things have never diminished the emotional significance of those shared memories.
I firmly believe that the relationship between a teacher and students can transcend the conventional boundaries of academic association. When built upon sincerity, mutual respect and genuine affection, it can develop into an enduring bond that remains meaningful throughout life. My students at Metropolitan University gave me precisely that kind of relationship.
Their love and warmth have been among the most precious gifts of my professional journey. For that reason, I shall always remember those years with immense ecstasy and heartfelt appreciation.
As I look back upon those unforgettable days, my heart is filled with countless good wishes for every one of my former students. I sincerely wish Farzana Sanji, Bably Moon, Abdur Rahman, Muhammad Mukit, Muhammad Ali Zaki, Juned, Sharmin Dolly, Jahangir Alam, Siddique and Sumaiya Hasib continued success and happiness in every sphere of life.
I want all my students to shine brilliantly in their respective careers, enjoy marvelous personal lives and accomplish every goal they have ever quested. May they find fulfillment in their professional endeavours and peace in their personal relationships. May every new chapter of their lives bring opportunities for growth, achievement and happiness wherever their journeys take them.
Actually the true beauty of teaching lies not merely in completing a syllabus or delivering lectures but in touching lives and creating memories that endure beyond the boundaries of time and place. My association with these lovely students at Metropolitan University, Sylhet, remains an extraordinary source of inspiration and pleasure.
Those classrooms, literary discussions, coffee-house conversations and countless moments of shared affection continue to occupy a special place in my heart.
Years may pass and generations may come and go but some memories remain eternally invariable. My students from 2012 to 2016 and even beyond are among the brightest constellations in the sky of my professional and personal memories.
Wherever life takes them, I hope they will always remember that they were once part of a beautiful journey that meant so much to their teacher. Their love has enriched my life in ways that words cannot express.
I have taught English language and literature at some more universities and schools and my earnest gratefulness and best wishes are always there for all my pupils. I shall carry their love with me for as long as I live.
Mahfuz Ul Hasib Chowdhury
writes for different English
newspapers and magazines.
The author is also a Commonwealth Open University Fellow.
