Lessons for Year 2020… Welcome 2021

After retiring in August 2019 as professor from UTM, I was eagerly looking forward for my new job on a contract basis with Meiji University for 2 years beginning April 2020. I was making plans by getting the employment visa which was already approved after obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to be employed in Japan. I set my date to fly on the night of 31st March so that I have ample time about 8 days for me to find my accommodation and to settle things down before class starts.

In the midst of me trying to plan to go to Japan, new developments on this mysterious new Corona virus was rapidly creating a chaos on the public health system all over the world. Beginning in Wuhan, then to South Korea, Taiwan, South East Asia, Europe, the US, all over the world, the virus was spreading fast. One country after another started to impose travel bans and locking from entry travelers and even their own citizens from coming home. The term lockdown became a new terminology for all of us to comprehend, and on 18th March 2020, Malaysia borders was officially closed and a nationwide MCO – Movement Control Order was imposed for 2 weeks. No one was allowed to go out, only the head of family is allowed to be out of their homes to buy foodstuffs and essentials. My dream of going to Japan was still there despite this developments. I was positively telling myself that this thing will go away in one month time. Come 2 weeks, the MCO was extended for another 2 weeks because the number of cases in Malaysia has not fallen down. On 31st March , the MCO was extended for another 4 weeks and my Malaysian Airlines Flight MH88 was cancelled through email message from MAS. By that time, Meiji University GSBA started to communicate through email and indicated that classes will be conducted online and provided me with a ZOOM account as well as giving me access to the Oh O! Meiji Learning Management System Platform (with the Manuals on How to Use the System).

I had to changed my plan as Meiji informed of the new start date of Spring Semester to early May and with classes online and with compressed 12 weeks class plans. All teachers were requested to add Supplement Syllabus in the LMS and update all information. Within a short time (as many of us facing this pandemic) I had to learned online teaching within 2 weeks before start of class. I was lucky as my kids advised me correctly of getting a Dell 2 in 1 Laptop Tablet which is touch screen and writable using Dell pen ( I never regret buying it because it helps in teaching as well as the Tablet and pen can be used for evaluating the exams, reports, case studies – so convenient). Again, I had to also learn how to use the new tools for me to teach online. By that time, I have bought a good webcam and also bought a Fifine microphone (after trying out other types, and brands) that worked well with my new system. I went online and learned ZOOM as well.

By May I began my new journey as Professor teaching Global Business (which incidentally a new subject that I need to do some preparation – I have been reading a lot about business topics and also I did quite a few subjects during my UG and Masters such as Micro Economics, Macro Economics, Marketing, Managerial Accounting, Industrial Costing, and others). I had to also teach Production Management which is not a problem, my expertise, and at the same time, I was also requested to teach one subject relating to Academic Research which is more on thesis presentation. All these were Meiji MBA subjects , and although having experience I still need to adhere to the new system and its requirement. It was quite an experience to teach all these subjects (my classes are for 100 minutes a week for 3 subjects for the 12 weeks) but very satisfying since I just love to share knowledge and my industry experience.

I successfully completed spring Semester in July and submitted all the course assessment. In August, I took some rest and by that time MCO was lifted, managed to spent some time visiting Penang and also Lumut as well as Johor Bahru. After a 12 weeks filled with brain filled activities, you just want to just refresh and take a break. My own practice will always be going for short trip. If COVID is not around, I will definitely already be abroad for a short vacation. However, domestic travel is still worth spending time.

By September, the Fall Semester has started and runs until end January 2021. I have now accustomed to teaching online comfortably. I have managed to record all the Production Management B lectures (which is second part from Heizer and Render OM book) and uploaded in my very amateur Youtube channel Shari Yusof for sharing. At least I will remember that I started this Channel (exactly on 12 May 2020) to share my knowledge during Covid times. I must credit Prof A. Karim Alias of USM for motivating me to do this. The Fall semester went very well and another subject on modular basis Intensive Course for Global Business B was conducted as planned to Meiji DMP students in Malaysia on 12, 13, 19, and 20 December 2020. Really enjoyed sharing the knowledge.

All is not lost despite a lot of frustrations that I expressed in FB are not our fault or anyone’s. The circumstances and things that happened and still happening are beyond our knowledge and control. Time will only tell and reveal all the mysteries and hidden things. If not in this world, definitely in the hereafter where no one can hide things in front of Allah ALL-Mighty.

Lessons Learnt (Not in any order of importance or sequence)

1. Re-plan your plan as fast as you see the need to do so – be proactive
2. If you need to change your direction, determine how to change as fast as possible -Stategise
3. MIndset preparation is critical to get you prepared – do not give up – follow up
4. Update your knowledge by learning new skill sets and techniques
5. Upgrade and adopt new technology to quickly meet new situation – online teaching
6. Review the performance/success and shortcomings – take countermeasures for weaknesses
7. Do not procrastinate – do want you can do now and dont wait till tomorrow things that you can do now
8. Always start with the easy things first, don’t wait until you solve all the problems to do the task in hand – don’t wait for perfection to execute
9. Be clear of your intentions (niat) – verily everything starts from intention – if intention is for Allah, that you know that He will help you InsyaALLAH
10. …. and others…..

Must be responsive to VUCA – Volatile, Uncertainty, Complex, Ambiguous

Communicate – yes, I forgot, try and communicate to your stakeholders, meaning asking relevant questions, report and response fast to your new employer, request your needs – I did most through emails and vc platform once.

Hope 2021 (really hope and pray) will bring me to Japan, to live, teach and be part of Meiji University in Spring time. I pray to ALLAH for His Blessings and Mercy to bring me there with my wife. For He alone can make this happen. As a servant of God , we have to always try and make all effort to achieve our dreams in this temporary world before we leave it behind to be judged in the next world. May ALLAH reward Jannah to all my Muslim readers, and ALLAH provide light (nur) to those still finding truth. Amin.

welcome 2021… goodbye 2020.. all the best to everyone