The series continues? Maria E. Kallukaren shows a more fun side to the educators in the UAE.

Teacher: Dr Bienvenido Odejar
Designation: Business subjects coordinator
Institute: American College of Dubai

I love: Hoi Jeon Moo Sool, an ancient Korean martial art; and dancing

Bienvenido Odejar is in constant pursuit of knowledge - taking a degree here, a doctorate there - in case his students zoom ahead in the knowledge business and leave him behind.

"We have some very good students and they know a lot, especially about information technology - much more than my generation," he says.

"So it is important to keep up."

The courses the professor has either studied or is in the process of completing are distance education, website development and e-commerce.

Getting too academic: It's time we introduced Hoi Jeon Moo Sool, which means the revolving form of martial art.

Odejar practises three times a week.

"It is a combination of many martial arts and similar in many ways to Tae Kwon Do and karate," explains the professor.

"It was my favourite sport in college."

But too much studying got in the way.

"I forgot a lot of it."

In Dubai it all came back to him when he discovered a martial arts school right under his nose; literally speaking that is - "in the building below my flat".

I dance too: Odejar can do the cha cha cha, tango, salsa, boogie and swing, having been a regular at the Filipino Dance Club.

What do his students say?

"Listening to his lectures, it fires you up to achieve your potential. He has belief in us and wants to train us to be effective leaders of the future. He is serious when it comes to work. You can't mess with him. As long as you respect his principles and rules, he's your friend."
- Tahmina Dawood, business studies, does Principles of Management with Professor Odejar

"He looks really dignified, you don't expect such a person to understand you. But actually he's totally friendly with you and goes out of his way to help his students. It comes from his love for being with students."
- Batool Fatima, human resources management, does Principles of Management with Professor Odejar

Hoi Jeon Moo Sool

- A Korean art of self defence.

- Comprises four martial arts styles.

- Has more than 10,000 self- defence techniques using hands, feet and weapons.

- Can be practised by the young, old, male and female.

- It helps develop the brain; regulates blood circulation and the nervous system by stimulating the joints of the body.

- Information courtesy www.michiganmartialarts.com