Start by being happy
World-renowned forest economist Dr Shashi Kant received the Order of Ontario for outstanding achievements in the field of forest resources economics and sustainability management.
The director of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management program at the Institute for Management & Innovation, University of Toronto Mississauga, and professor, Forest Resource Economics and Management at the Faculty of Forestry, UofT, is recognized as a leading authority in the field. Professor Kant is the first Canadian to receive the Queen’s Award for Forestry. He has authored and co-authored books on the subject, presented papers at international conferences across the world, and been on the selection committee of the Sören Wibe Prize in Forest Economics, the top prize in forest economics.
He came to Canada in 1992 as a Commonwealth Fellow to the University of Toronto where he did his Master of Arts (Economics) and Ph. D. (Forest Economics). He also had to get used to all the different accents one hears on Canadian campuses. And to the weather and the cultural differences.
“I had seen some snow but nothing like our winters here! I landed in Canada on January 1 and everything was covered in snow. And the public shows of affection – in the parks, on the subway – that was something new.”
He tells his students to pursue what they love.
“There’s so much stress among young people because they are being told they have to get A+ grades and then get high-paying jobs. But one can get caught in a vicious circle if you chase grades, money, and success. I tell them, don’t chase happiness. Instead, start everything you do by being happy. If you do that, you will be positive, your productivity will be high, you will enjoy whatever you do, and you will be successful. And that will bring more happiness!”
And he advises newcomers to let go of their ego.
“We come with expectations. I was at this position back home, how can I take an entry level job here? Well, a job is a job. Do it well and you will move up. It may take time, but believe in yourself and you will get there.”