Know your professor: The soccer maniac
Know your professor: meet a self confessed soccer maniac
The series continues... Maria E. Kallukaren shows a more fun side to the educators in the UAE
Teacher: Raj Kapoor
Designation: Human Resources Director and Instructor in the School of Business Administration
Institute: The American University in Dubai
I love: Soccer (or football, depending on the term you prefer)
Survival instinct kicked in at age nine for Raj Kapoor. He was in London - newly arrived from Kenya - in a country obsessed with the game. "To survive I had to learn to play," he said.
And he was hooked for life.
Now aged "a young 40", he plays on the university grounds - every Friday and Tuesday.
"It's a little late for a career change ... if not I would have considered a move to Chelsea," he says.
On his Famous name: Kapoor shares his name with the late Indian actor, director and producer Raj Kapoor.
"I wish I could charge a dollar for every person who has asked me whether I was related."
Soccer to me
- "It keeps me connected with the students since I also play with them ... . The classroom is a more formal setting."
- "I am also a great believer in family life and soccer keeps me connected with my son (who is part of the team)."
- "My daytime job is so captivating; it keeps you engaged all day, you need an outlet."
- "It helps you concentrate during the day ... you're fit, so in that sense the two (soccer and teaching) complement each other, although they are so diverse."
- "In the classroom and as HR director, I am quite an easygoing guy, but on the soccer pitch, it's amazing how competitive I become. It's a complete switch from my day job, where one has to always be patient ... listen to complaints and problems and sort them out. But on the soccer pitch it's a level playing field. But it's all good fun, and we shake hands and hug at the end of the game."
As a teacher
"Statistics show there is a significant correlation between students who succeed in higher education and their involvement in extracurricular activities.
"Students who are connected in some form of activity are more likely to succeed in their studies. I guess by playing, I'm hoping to encourage students to participate too."
What his students say
Lancy Ganem, a marketing and advertising student, takes a strategic retail management class with Kapoor
"He is a Chelsea fan. (In class) he is a very enthusiastic, energetic and wonderful instructor. You are bored throughout the day, but his class brings you back to life."
Reem Garabedian, a marketing student, takes retail management with Kapoor
"He's very funny. Puts us in a good mood. I have played football with him and his children. He's very sportive. Very fair, honest and always gives people what they deserve. He always finds a way to wake you up."
Want to join him?
If you are an AUD student, show up at the soccer pitch on campus on Tuesdays, 7pm.
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