Ahmedabad: From a time when he struggled to crack a competitive exam to guiding students in 13 centres across Gujarat, Professor Hidayat Saiyed has come a long way. He now offers coaching classes in competitive exams free of cost. For the past decade, he has been guiding those students in need.
“While I offer this service for free, I ask my students to help those in need. It might surprise you, but I don’t spend a rupee on faculty as my former students train current students in my institute – Sarovar Education Society,” says Professor Hidayat Saiyed from Ahmedabad who believes that knowledge must be shared.
Hidayat Saiyed started this activity after he flunked in a competitive exam. “After completing my college, I decided to appear for competitive exams but I couldn’t afford private coaching classes and nobody was there to guide me. Due to lack of proper environment and guidance, I failed the exam just by few marks,” he says and adds that the incident has left a big impression on him.
“I thought there would be so many young and bright students who would want to appear for career-oriented examinations but could not afford coaching classes like me. This made me offer free classes for those students in need,” Saiyed says.
Recalling the time when he first trained a batch of 24 students for Gujarat Public Service Commission in 2006 in a small rented house, the professor says, “To my surprise, 18 of them cleared the prelims and one got the job. The achievement gave me a major boost and I started Sarovar Education Society formally in 2008. There are 13 centres across the State with about 1,000 students preparing for competitive exams at present.”
Hidayat Saiyed proudly says that 60% of his students are girls and adds that former girl students got finest jobs in the government sector. The students who get jobs donate their reading material back to the society. “This helped in setting up a library for freshers. My classes are open for anyone who cannot afford private coaching classes.”
Everybody wants to study and get a good job but only few reach the goal. Students’ dedication and proper guidance from teachers can make a difference.
“If you have knowledge, share it. If you have money, put it for the good use. Make the best use of what you have and try to help as many people as you can,” he concludes.
Courtesy: MetroIndia