I am writing this to extend my heart felt gratitude to one of the best teachers I had at Pera eFac, Prof. Sivasegaram or Siva as he was popularly known.
Comparison with CLVJ would have made him shine brighter but even on absolute terms he was such a friendly man from whom I could ask some clarification even on a corridor without any fear.
He would tuck his brief case between his legs and start explaining writing on the back of a file or whatever piece of paper available. He made the feared Thermo lab a pleasant place to go to and the dreaded Intas just deflated dummy giants.
Best was the turn around he made at the First Year drawing class. We could ask any question at any time and he was at hand till the end of the session to readily answer them.
Almighty instructors who used to ignore and ridicule us so far had a big problem now as Prof Sivasegaram asked our questions from them first and they were often found wanting. Pretty soon they became very friendly with us and some of them even addressed us 'Machan'. The 'Incompletes' and marks in the order of 2,3,4 which was the norm in the first two terms became 7,8 and even 9 & 9 1/2.
If we had a few more good teachers like Siva and Mr. Saman (Abeysekara) who taught us electronics in the third year (for only one term, unfortunately) I would have learnt much more at the university.
This doesn't mean all others were bad. I liked the teaching of Prof. Jayatilake specially his problem solving approach - starting from the final answer and working backwards and even Prof Gunawardena in patches (how good it could have been if he chose to go with the average rather than the elite few). Prof Jayasekara for me was a traditional teacher who did not make his exam paper 'for champions only'.
May be I should have written a separate blog. But that may not have materialized if I kept it for later. May this be a tribute to the great man Prof. Sivasegaram. Thank you Sir!
-Ananda Piyatilake (E/81 Batch)
Dr. Sivasegaram is a one of best lecturer in tha EFac. He was our First year Mechanical Drawing and ThermoDynamics Lecturer.
ReplyDeleteAs a Mechanical Engineering graduate from the first batch which underwent the course unit system (E/01) I should mention, Prof. Sivasegaram is one of the first persons best adopted to the new system.
ReplyDeleteIf there was any reason students hate him, it is primarily due to the bad impression of him senior students try to put on juniors. They hate him because he expects extreme punctuality, standards, methodology, etc. to my experience. To me they seems ridiculous reasons to hate him, because they are all good qualities anyone should have, specially engineers!
He is one of the best teachers I ever had and I think we were lucky to be his students!
E/01/101 (Geethaka Jayasuriya)
he is one of the culprint for many undergraudates left without degree those days, do not prepare for lessons, no peace at home , do not sleep at home. come to faculty and just pass the time
ReplyDeleteI agree with above. this idiot has no regrets". I hate him
ReplyDelete