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The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Leaving a legacy
When we think of legacy, we often picture public figures, grand achievements or tangible monuments. Yet few legacies are as far-reaching or powerful as that of a dedicated educator. A single educator can ignite the spark of discovery in hundreds, even thousands, of students over a lifetime. And that spark does not end in the classroom; it creates a ripple effect, influencing careers, perspectives, and the lives of future generations. Those from the older generation will recall the film To Sir, with Love (1967), starring Sidney Poitier, which addressed a number of social, educational and emotional themes that remain relevant today. The teacher is portrayed not just as an instructor, but also as a moral compass, father figure and mentor, guiding students through issues of identity, relationships and future aspirations. As someone who is, first and foremost, a teacher at heart, I have always believed that the heart of education lies not just in knowledge but also in care – not just in expertise, but also in deep humanity. Human touch An educator with a true sense of humanity is one who is not only a scholar, but also a teacher in the truest sense of the word. Passionate, engaged and quietly transformative, they exemplify the kind of educator whose impact defies quantification. These lecturers do not just inform – they inspire. Their office hours are not just slots in a calendar, but spaces of mentorship and encouragement. They understand that students are not just vessels to be filled with information, but individuals to be nurtured, challenged and seen. It is easy to overlook such values in today's university environment. The language of 'outputs', 'deliverables' and 'efficiency' has crept into our discourse, even in places where human connection should matter most. In this context, passionate educators may seem out of step – too generous with their time, too invested in the well-being of students, too unconcerned with the competitive optics of academic life. And yet, to my mind, it is precisely these qualities that make such educators indispensable. Within the short span of a month, we mourn the passing of Dr Sagathevan Kuppusamy and David Chong, two academics at my institution whose absence leaves a deep void, not only in the faculties they served, but also in the lives they touched. Their departure is a solemn reminder of the profound role educators play in our collective story. Leading with heart As Khalil Gibran wrote in The Prophet, 'The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of their wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.' Some teachers embody this spirit. They do not impose their knowledge, but invite students to discover their own. They teach not just facts, but ways of seeing. They do not only answer questions, they help students ask better ones. In an era when education risks becoming depersonalised, I am reminded, through the lives of our late colleagues, that learning is – and always has been – a deeply human exchange. Good teaching, at its core, is relational. It is an act of trust, generosity, and belief in the potential of another. Passionate teachers bring more than knowledge to the classroom; they bring soul. They model curiosity, humility and perseverance. They help students believe in their own potential. They create spaces where learning is not transactional, but transformational. And often, they do all of this quietly, without seeking recognition – driven not by institutional reward, but by a deep-seated belief in the value of education itself. We would do well to remember this, and to reflect on what kind of teachers, colleagues and institutions we want to be. Passion in teaching is not old-fashioned, nor is it a luxury. It is foundational. It is what lingers long after students graduate. It is what shapes lives. Let the examples of our peers who have passed on guide us to be better learners, more compassionate educators and, above all, more thoughtful and caring individuals. Let us honour their legacy and commit ourselves to carrying forward the values they so gracefully lived by. Let us remember that teaching is not just a profession – it is a vocation, a quiet form of leadership that shapes the future, one student at a time. Let us create more inclusive, curious and courageous spaces of learning. Let us honour them by teaching others as they taught us – with patience, passion and, above all, with heart. May their legacy never fade. And may every life they touched continue to shine, carrying their light forward. Prof Datuk Dr Elizabeth Lee is the chief executive officer at Sunway Education Group. A veteran in the field of private higher education, Prof Lee is also an advocate for women in leadership. She has been recognised both locally and internationally for her contributions to the field of education. The views expressed here are the writer's own.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Lulu says new memoir felt ‘intense' as she opens up about going to therapy
Lulu says new memoir felt 'intense' as she opens up about going to therapy The 76-year-old was discussing the importance of mental health support ahead of a sponsored walk for her new charitable fund, Lulu's Mental Health Trust (Image: ITV ) Scottish singer Lulu said the process of completing her new memoir has been "so intense" that she "had to go into therapy". The 76-year-old was discussing the importance of mental health support ahead of a sponsored walk for her new charitable fund, Lulu's Mental Health Trust. She told the PA news agency: "I've just completed writing my memoir, or an autobiography, whatever you want to call it, and it's been fairly intense, because I am 76 and being in the public eye, there's a lot of things I have not divulged. "There's a lot of things I didn't feel comfortable talking about because, as a human being, I've had trials, I've had tribulations, I've had issues." Her new memoir, If Only You Knew, delves into her past and the singer, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie and also known as Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, said it has felt "very cathartic". "There are things you don't know, and I'm going to talk about them, and it's really in order to help, but it's been very cathartic", she said. Article continues below "It is in order to maybe help someone else who's had a similar issue and they haven't dealt with it, or don't know how to, and I felt very alone in my head all my life, because I think I've been brought up to keep a lot of things secretive and keep it to myself, but that was my mother's (era) age. "Today, things are more open, and if it can help, if you can relate to someone, it doesn't make you feel so alone. So that's part of the reason for doing the book. "The other part is, I'm 76, I might not last much longer, and I've got grandchildren, and it's all documented, but it's been very cathartic for me. "In fact, I had to go into therapy because it's been so intense. When you've kept stuff down, they (emotions) lodge in you. They lodge in your body somewhere. "And sometimes they can affect your physical health, definitely your mental health. But to try and get them (those feelings) to come up, it's been intense." The music artist from Glasgow said she wanted to establish a mental heath trust as she and her family have experienced their own mental health issues. On Monday, in aid of the trust, Lulu walked from the east London location where she filmed To Sir, With Love and finished at the old Decca Studios, where she recorded Shout – the song that saw her storm into the UK charts 60 years ago. She has so far raised more than £15,000 for the cause through people sponsoring her for the walk. The singer performed at Glastonbury Festival last year and embarked on her sell-out Champagne for Lulu tour, which she said was her last. Article continues below Her memoir is due to be released on September 25 2025. She will embark on a UK book tour four days later.
Leader Live
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Lulu says new memoir felt ‘intense' as she opens up about going to therapy
The 76-year-old was discussing the importance of mental health support ahead of a sponsored walk for her new charitable fund, Lulu's Mental Health Trust. She told the PA news agency: 'I've just completed writing my memoir, or an autobiography, whatever you want to call it, and it's been fairly intense, because I am 76 and being in the public eye, there's a lot of things I have not divulged. 'There's a lot of things I didn't feel comfortable talking about because, as a human being, I've had trials, I've had tribulations, I've had issues.' Her new memoir, If Only You Knew, delves into her past and the singer, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie and also known as Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, said it has felt 'very cathartic'. 'There are things you don't know, and I'm going to talk about them, and it's really in order to help, but it's been very cathartic', she said. 'It is in order to maybe help someone else who's had a similar issue and they haven't dealt with it, or don't know how to, and I felt very alone in my head all my life, because I think I've been brought up to keep a lot of things secretive and keep it to myself, but that was my mother's (era) age. 'Today, things are more open, and if it can help, if you can relate to someone, it doesn't make you feel so alone. So that's part of the reason for doing the book. 'The other part is, I'm 76, I might not last much longer, and I've got grandchildren, and it's all documented, but it's been very cathartic for me. 'In fact, I had to go into therapy because it's been so intense. When you've kept stuff down, they (emotions) lodge in you. They lodge in your body somewhere. 'And sometimes they can affect your physical health, definitely your mental health. But to try and get them (those feelings) to come up, it's been intense.' The music artist from Glasgow said she wanted to establish a mental heath trust as she and her family have experienced their own mental health issues. On Monday, in aid of the trust, Lulu walked from the east London location where she filmed To Sir, With Love and finished at the old Decca Studios, where she recorded Shout – the song that saw her storm into the UK charts 60 years ago. She has so far raised more than £15,000 for the cause through people sponsoring her for the walk. The singer performed at Glastonbury Festival last year and embarked on her sell-out Champagne for Lulu tour, which she said was her last. Her memoir is due to be released on September 25 2025. She will embark on a UK book tour four days later.
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Lulu says new memoir felt 'intense' as she opens up about going to therapy
Scottish singer Lulu said the process of completing her new memoir has been "so intense" that she "had to go into therapy". The 76-year-old was discussing the importance of mental health support ahead of a sponsored walk for her new charitable fund, Lulu's Mental Health Trust. She told the PA news agency: "I've just completed writing my memoir, or an autobiography, whatever you want to call it, and it's been fairly intense, because I am 76 and being in the public eye, there's a lot of things I have not divulged. "There's a lot of things I didn't feel comfortable talking about because, as a human being, I've had trials, I've had tribulations, I've had issues." Her new memoir, If Only You Knew, delves into her past and the singer, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie and also known as Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, said it has felt "very cathartic". "There are things you don't know, and I'm going to talk about them, and it's really in order to help, but it's been very cathartic", she said. "It is in order to maybe help someone else who's had a similar issue and they haven't dealt with it, or don't know how to, and I felt very alone in my head all my life, because I think I've been brought up to keep a lot of things secretive and keep it to myself, but that was my mother's (era) age. "Today, things are more open, and if it can help, if you can relate to someone, it doesn't make you feel so alone. So that's part of the reason for doing the book. "The other part is, I'm 76, I might not last much longer, and I've got grandchildren, and it's all documented, but it's been very cathartic for me. "In fact, I had to go into therapy because it's been so intense. When you've kept stuff down, they (emotions) lodge in you. They lodge in your body somewhere. "And sometimes they can affect your physical health, definitely your mental health. But to try and get them (those feelings) to come up, it's been intense." The music artist from Glasgow said she wanted to establish a mental health trust as she and her family have experienced their own mental health issues. On Monday, in aid of the trust, Lulu walked from the east London location where she filmed To Sir, With Love and finished at the old Decca Studios, where she recorded Shout - the song that saw her storm into the UK charts 60 years ago. She has so far raised more than £15,000 for the cause through people sponsoring her for the walk. The singer performed at Glastonbury Festival last year and embarked on her sell-out Champagne for Lulu tour, which she said was her last. Her memoir is due to be released on 25 September. She will embark on a UK book tour four days later.
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Lulu says new memoir felt ‘intense' as she opens up about going to therapy
The 76-year-old was discussing the importance of mental health support ahead of a sponsored walk for her new charitable fund, Lulu's Mental Health Trust. She told the PA news agency: 'I've just completed writing my memoir, or an autobiography, whatever you want to call it, and it's been fairly intense, because I am 76 and being in the public eye, there's a lot of things I have not divulged. 'There's a lot of things I didn't feel comfortable talking about because, as a human being, I've had trials, I've had tribulations, I've had issues.' Her new memoir, If Only You Knew, delves into her past and the singer, born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie and also known as Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, said it has felt 'very cathartic'. 'There are things you don't know, and I'm going to talk about them, and it's really in order to help, but it's been very cathartic', she said. 'It is in order to maybe help someone else who's had a similar issue and they haven't dealt with it, or don't know how to, and I felt very alone in my head all my life, because I think I've been brought up to keep a lot of things secretive and keep it to myself, but that was my mother's (era) age. 'Today, things are more open, and if it can help, if you can relate to someone, it doesn't make you feel so alone. So that's part of the reason for doing the book. 'The other part is, I'm 76, I might not last much longer, and I've got grandchildren, and it's all documented, but it's been very cathartic for me. 'In fact, I had to go into therapy because it's been so intense. When you've kept stuff down, they (emotions) lodge in you. They lodge in your body somewhere. 'And sometimes they can affect your physical health, definitely your mental health. But to try and get them (those feelings) to come up, it's been intense.' The music artist from Glasgow said she wanted to establish a mental heath trust as she and her family have experienced their own mental health issues. On Monday, in aid of the trust, Lulu walked from the east London location where she filmed To Sir, With Love and finished at the old Decca Studios, where she recorded Shout – the song that saw her storm into the UK charts 60 years ago. She has so far raised more than £15,000 for the cause through people sponsoring her for the walk. The singer performed at Glastonbury Festival last year and embarked on her sell-out Champagne for Lulu tour, which she said was her last. Her memoir is due to be released on September 25 2025. She will embark on a UK book tour four days later.
