Movies and books have taught us a certain stereotype of what a professor is like.
Usually, they’re depicted as mildly absentminded, a bit gruff, and caught up in huge, complex problems that don’t have much to do with the day-to-day world.
Of course, the thing about stereotypes is that they never show the whole picture. Recently, a few stories have shown up in the news about the heartwarming faculty members who are showing the world a whole other side of academia.
These professors are dedicated to helping students get the most out of class, no matter what, even if that means that they have to step in as emergency child care. That’s what we saw with a professor at Baylor University, who simultaneously led a lecture and stepped up to soothe a baby during a class.
Now, a similarly sweet professor is wowing the internet after photos surfaced of him taking care of a little one while the baby’s mom took an exam.
Check out the adorable photos below, and scroll through the gallery to learn more!
Thumbnail Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The photos first surfaced online when Twitter user adewryght posted the images, along with the caption, "University Prof helps a mom writing exams take care of her crying baby."
The images depict the professor standing at the front of a lecture hall with a snoozing infant strapped to his back.
The pictures are sweet and funny at first glance, and become deeply moving seen in context.
According to the Twitter account, the photos were taken during exams at Université Alassane Outtara, formerly known as Université de Bouaké, in Côte d'Ivoire.
Côte d'Ivoire is a small country on the west coast of Africa, and Bouaké is one of only three public universities.
Students and faculty alike face challenges in any university setting, but it is no doubt more difficult when there are just three universities serving a large number of students.
Along with University de Cocody, pictured above, and the nation's Polytechnic school, Bouaké is one of the elite universities in Côte d'Ivoire.
It's a country where education for women is making huge strides after historically low numbers.
Higher education for women is growing slowly but steadily in the small coastal country.
Fortunately, it looks like the students and professors are working together every single step of the way, especially one sweet professor who stepped up during exam period to help out a new mom who had to bring her infant to the classroom.
The whole profession of academia gives rise to the stereotype of the professor as a tweedy, slightly intimidating figure, glaring out at students from the front of a lecture hall.
For the students at Bouaké, however, it seems clear that, at least in the case of one professor, the faculty members are happy to step in as babysitters, helpers, and extended family if it helps students to learn.
This particular student had to bring her baby to class, possibly because child care fell through, and she couldn't miss her exam.
Instead of facing resistance from her professor, the distinguished older gentleman stepped happily into the role of a babysitter.
He soothed the crying baby to sleep, then snuggled her against his back in a pink baby wrap, showing off flawless paternal instincts that seem to indicate that this professor might have one or two little ones of his own at home.
It's reminiscent of a few similar incidents that have taken place across the world in the past few years.
Recently, images and videos have gone viral of professors at Baylor University in Texas and Hebrew University in Israel who seem perfectly happy to rock a fussy toddler back to sleep while simultaneously conducting complicated lesson plans.
While the lecture hall may not be the first place you think of for child care, it's becoming a saving grace for young moms trying to take care of their children and seek education.
Professors like Dr. Engelberg in Israel and the kind professor as Bouaké help to support these efforts for young moms who may not have many other options.
Not only do these images offer an alternative view of this stern profession, but it's also a touching display of how much higher education faculty members care about helping their students achieve their dreams.
Whether it's answering questions during office hours or watching a tot during class, they're willing to step up and help!
If you're blown away by the sweet professor in Côte d'Ivoire and his equally adorable colleagues around the world, make sure to SHARE with friends and family!
