Khurrem is half-Dutch and half-Pakistani and lived in Pakistan most of his life. After completing a Bachelor's in Electronic Engineering from the GIK he came to the Netherlands to pursue a Master's degree. He explains, "this is the only philosophy course in the Netherlands where technology and reflection upon technology are central. The course is a five year Master's course and begins with a 'propedeuse' (foundation course) in one of the technical studies. Thus the student first gets a taste of technology before he or she starts the 'kop study' - which allows one to study technology in a broader perspective and not from a purely technical standpoint.
Technology is always a subject for study, but usually in another context. In this study the emphasis is on the philosophical, sociological and historical aspects of technology. Khurrem continues zealously, "let me illustrate this with an example. We discussed xenotransplantation in class the other day. It is transplanting organs from animals to humans in need of them. Pancreas from pigs is being considered in particular, due to the shortage of donor pancreas for people afflicted with diabetes. This is not a simple 'transplant' issue as it transcends the ethical boudaries between humans and animals. There are other implications like the safety of society as a whole if some disease were to be transmitted from the animal to the receiving human... These are very interesting issues to explore and study and for me electronic engineering pales in comparison."
It was not smooth sailing for Khurrem when he first came here. He says, "other than battling with the weather, I found living in a single room very stifling....it was very much like a cage. Lack of culinary skills only added to my misery. I didn't even know how to prepare a cup of tea! So I ate out very often and that took a toll on my health." Gradually, things changed and Khurrem has progressed beyond tea. Besides, he has grown to "love" the cold weather! He plays cricket on Sundays with his Indian friends. So was he apprehensive about interacting with Indians given the on-going bitterness between India and Pakistan? "Not at all. They are very friendly and helpful, we speak the same language....we are so alike."
Khurrem has taken Dutch lessons at the James Boswell Institute in Utrecht. "Well, in Pakistan my mother used to try to speak with me in Dutch but I vehemently resisted," he laughs. He plans to continue to live and work in the Netherlands for a few years. He says, "I would like to work for international organisations like the IMF or World Bank. And someday I would like to work in Oman ....nice beaches and fat salaries!"
Hometown: Islamabad
Languages: Urdu, English, Dutch, some Punjabi
Favourite food: chicken curry/chicken tikka/barbecue chicken
Favourite movie: Midnight Run
Favourite sport: cricket, swimming
Favourite music: not really interested in any music
Best part of living in NL: greenery and the "cool" weather
Worst part of living in NL: the food!
Dream destination: Florida
Last book read: Fortunate Son (all the dirt on George W. Bush!)
Deepa Talasila
Khurrem Jehangir
