I was deeply delighted to come across a Facebook post shared by Dr. Azmal Borbhuiya, Registrar (Academic) of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM). The post was shared and forwarded to me yesterday evening. Within just a few hours of it being posted, it received a heartening stream of comments from the academic community, including my former students and colleagues. These individuals were part of my professional journey during my tenure at the Regional Institute of Science and Technology (RIST), Meghalaya, where I served from September 2010 to July 2023 in the roles of Director, Director (Academic), and Professor of Civil Engineering. RIST was established and managed by the Education, Research and Development Foundation (ERDF), which is now recognized as the largest and fastest-growing educational network in the Northeast—offering education from KG to PG to PhD.
During my association with ERDF, RIST was affiliated with North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), a central university under the Government of India based in Shillong, Meghalaya. However, as of 1st August 2023, RIST has been integrated under the umbrella of USTM, which was established through the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya Act, 2008, by the Government of Meghalaya. I have been a quiet observer of USTM’s phenomenal growth in a short span of time, culminating in its accreditation with an ‘A’ Grade by NAAC—an achievement made possible under the visionary leadership of its Chancellor, Mr. M. Hoque.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. A. Borbhuiya for the Facebook post, which has drawn responses from many individuals—including the Honourable Chancellor of USTM, Honourable Dean Prof. H. Islam, and a number of my former students. The post and the thoughtful comments that followed conveyed two important themes: the significance of mentorship in education—especially technical education—and the importance of disseminating knowledge. I wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments, as these were core principles I consistently emphasized in the classroom. In fact, I have also highlighted these values—knowledge, skill, and ethics—in the pages of my book A Journey through the Construction Industry.
Currently, I am working on my third book, tentatively titled Fighting Challenges during my Professional Life as an Engineer. The comments shown in Figure 1 below have inspired me to consider dedicating a portion of the book to the theme of mentorship and the professional achievements of some of my former students. If time permits and with the grace of the Almighty, I hope to explore this further.
Words fall short to express my sincere appreciation to all those mentioned in Figure 1, as well as those who have commented later. While I would have loved to send a complimentary copy of my book to each of them, it has not been feasible. However, as a token of my gratitude, I have attached two pages from my book to this message: (a) the Dedication Page (Appendix A), and (b) the Acknowledgements Page (Appendix B).
I would like to offer a few heartfelt words for the Honourable Chancellor, Honourable Dean (Prof. H. Islam), and the Registrar (Academic), Dr. Azmal Borbhuiya. My years at RIST were deeply enriching—marked not only by professional growth but also by a profound sense of care and respect from the ERDF family. This period turned out to be the most fulfilling phase of my professional journey, particularly in terms of peace of mind and the advancement of my technical knowledge.
A major reason behind this was the genuine affection and regard shown to me by Mr. M. Hoque, Chairman of ERDF. I vividly recall the moment I visited him in his office to inform him of my decision to step down from RIST, effective 1st August 2023. His words still echo in my mind: “Sir, how can I leave you?” I responded simply, saying, “I am now sufficiently aged. I cannot afford to see a decline in the quality of my own teaching.” Even in that brief exchange, I felt his deep reluctance to let me go—a reflection of the mutual respect we shared.
Interestingly, this shared bond found symbolic expression in a striking coincidence: the color scheme of the cover page of my book matches the background of Mr. Hoque’s image in Figure 1. A coincidence, yes—but one that holds special meaning for me.
I was also touched and pleasantly surprised by the comment from Prof. (Dr.) Islam. He remembered my school days with remarkable clarity, transporting me back to the cherished memories of my childhood in Sivasagar town. His words stirred a deep nostalgia, reminding me of how closely connected I once was with members of his esteemed family. I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with him in the final chapter of my professional life—a dignified co-traveller on this journey.
A few words about Dr. Azmal Borbhuiya—yes, I had the privilege of mentoring him, not in structural engineering, but in various administrative matters. To this day, I consider him a brother, and it is only natural that the bond is mutual. I count myself truly fortunate to have met such a kind-hearted individual. I sincerely wish him continued success and happiness in life. Mentorship is no easy task—it often carries the weight of expectation, and even seasoned mentors are not immune to failure. Yet, mentoring someone with sincerity and mutual respect remains one of life’s most meaningful experiences.
Over time, I have come to embrace a special kind of family—the community of readers and supporters of my blog (constructiontribune.wordpress.com). While preparing this note, I kept them in mind—this ever-growing family that continues to inspire and support me. The growth of this community is clearly reflected in Table 1 below, which outlines the blog’s progress since its launch in March 2023, including total views, number of viewers, and the international reach as of 5th July 2025.
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: DEDICATION PAGE OF MYBOOK ‘A Journey through the Construction Industry’
APPENDIX B: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PAGE OF MY BOOK ‘A Journey through the Construction Industry’
