Numbers roll off tongue with this mathe-magician DNA profiles some outstanding teachers. Today, meet Anil Vaidya, professor of math and computer science at VG Vaze College

Numbers roll off tongue with this mathe-magician

DNA profiles some outstanding teachers. Today, meet Anil Vaidya, professor of math and computer science at VG Vaze College

If numbers are the bogeymen to you, then walk into one of Anil Vaidya's BSc lectures. Not only will the classroom of the 52-year-old professor of mathematics and computer science at VG Vaze College, Mulund, be packed, especially with girl students, it will also help you rid yourself of the fear of numbers. And, don't be surprised if you see concepts of integral calculus, metric spaces and continuity rolling off students' tongues. Vaidya, who has been teaching for 25 years now, straddles widely diverse methods of teaching. While he shies away from using new technologies in class (he prefers the traditional blackboard), he gives students the required nudge to think out of the box. Adhitya Pavitran, a second-year BSc student at the college, elaborates, “He encourages a group discussion before starting a particular topic. This keeps everyone engaged and spurs the thinking process. For example, in algorithmic programs, he just explains the logic to us, and asks us to solve and write the program ourselves.” But Vaidya is also a disciplinarian. “We need to be attentive [in class], as he can ask any of us to come forward and write the solution on the blackboard,” adds Pavitran. He also detests any sort of spoonfeeding and seldom gives notes. “Rather, he insists on clearing up basic concepts till every student understands them. He brings out the practical aspect of every topic,” says Navni Verma, who is doing her MSc in information technology (IT). Students also hold Vaidya, who also teaches some commerce classes, in high regard as a mentor. He offers career guidance , encourages public speaking and helps them and hone their spoken English skills. “He is strict in class but very nice out of it,” says Ruchira Borhade, a second-year BSc student with a smile. Vaidya completed his BSc in mathematics from a Pune college, and his post-graduation and PhD from IIT-Bombay (a fact that most students don’t foregt to mention). He blames the system in place in most schools for creating a fear of numbers in students. “We make a terror of math right from schools days. Board examinations also emphasise only on marks. Also, many subjects like algebra analysis are abstract, which makes them less interesting.” But a degree in mathematics opens up a whole of array of jobs. “Computational mathematics is needed in the fields of biotechnology and biochemistry. One can go into computer sciences, IT and actuary sciences,” says Vaidya. On differences between BSc and BCom students, he quips, “Commerce students try to find out shortcuts to solutions.”