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Sunday, April 28, 2013

Chancellor Adil Usman desires to boost SSUET sports


By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has emerged as an outstanding institution which has set high standards in the field of education. It has also laid emphasis on sports since its establishment in 1994.

This newly appointed Chancellor of the SSUET, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, who is also the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), has expressed the desire to take the university sports to another level.

In a chat with a select group of sports scribes at his chamber on April 27, Engr Adil Usman, a great grandson of the legendary Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, agreed to look into the proposal of allowing admission on sports basis to the athletes having represented the country.

“In pursuance of the Aligarhian spirit we will continue supporting the cause of sports in a meaningful way and we will do everything possible to serve the community. The SSUET has had a policy of supporting sports from the outset and we will be even more proactive in future,” he stated.

“The Aligarhian philosophy is based on the fact that physical fitness leads to mental fitness. Our athletes used to excel in academics too. It’s very heartening to know that the same trend has continued at the SSUET as quite a few outstanding athletes have secured above average grades in their studies,” Engr Adil Usman added.

“We will surely look into the possibilities of granting admission in first year to the outstanding athletes having attained national colours. Ideally we will like to have it from as early as the next academic year,” the SSUET Chancellor declared.

Engr Adil Usman, who captained the Aligarh Muslim University’s badminton team besides representing the historic institution in billiards and snooker, also disclosed his plans to have greater facilities for indoor games at the SSUET.

“In the near future we will be emphasizing on developing more facilities for indoor games in particular besides taking care of cricket and football outfits. Our plans include procuring tables for billiards and snooker to let our students unfold their talents in cue sports,” he added.

“We desire to have training and coaching facilities for our athletes to let them enhance their skills. We will also encourage them to participate in the international events so that they could earn laurels for the country as well as the university,” the SSUET Chancellor announced.

SSUET Chancellor Adil Usman appreciates Jumbo Karachi Guide, sports books


Pakistan News & Features Services

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, who is also the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), has appreciated the high quality of books produced by Jumbo Infomedia and Jumbo Publishing.

Engr Adil Usman, a great grandson of the legendary Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, was presented a copy of Jumbo Karachi Guide by its Chief Editor, Abdul Qadir Qureshi, while authors Ehsan Qureshi and Syed Khalid Mahmood presented their latest sports books to the SSUET Chancellor at his chamber on April 27.

The soft-spoken Engr Adil Usman, who studied at the historic Aligarh Muslim University, reckoned that the literary and cultural activities were vital in the development of a nation and such initiatives merit recognition.

He went through the various chapters of Jumbo Karachi Guide and considered it as a very useful and handy book worthy to be presented to the visiting dignitaries. He praised Abdul Qadir Qureshi for putting together so much information between its covers.

The SSUET Chancellor was also impressed with Ehsan Qureshi’s recently published ‘Mohali Mystery’ while he lauded Syed Khalid Mahmood on authoring ‘Reflections’ and ‘Asian Glory’ which were presented to him on the occasion.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Ehsan Qureshi-led Unity Panel triumphs in APP Sindh Union polls


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Unity Panel, led by Ehsan Ali Qureshi, swept the elections 2013-14 of APP Employee's Union (CBA) Sindh, held on April 24. The APP employees from Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah cast their votes in the elections.

A senior journalist and a former Joint Secretary of the Karachi Press Club, Ehsan Qureshi, was elected President while Abdul Sattar Qureshi, a senior IT Engineer at Hyderabad Bureau, and Arshad Ahmed Khan, a reporter, were elected as General Secretary and Vice-President of the Union respectively.
 
Mohammad Anwar (Joint Secretary), Syed Fahim Haider (Treasurer) and Mohammad Siddiq (Press Secretary) won their respective seats as the Unity Panel bagged as many as 13 slots out of 14.


The eight-member Governing Body was also elected and it comprised of Mohammad Toheed Siddiqi, Mohammad Saleem Qadir, Syed Abbas Mehdi, Mohammad Zahid, Farhan Khan, Mashooq Ali Chandio, Shoaib Qamar and Mohammad Saleem. All of them contested the elections from the platform of the Unity Panel.


The elections were conducted by a two-member election committee featuring Sattar Javed and Kafeel Ahmed in Karachi and they were assisted by senior journalist Yaseen Rahi at APP's Hyderabad Bureau.


Addressing the employees, the President-elect, Ehsan Qureshi, congratulated the members on the revival of the union and said the newly elected body will protect their genuine grievances and rights across the Sindh province.


He recognized the younger lot of elected members for their dedication and spirit in the revival of the union and thanked everyone for reposing their confidence in the newly elected body.  


Architect Bashir Malik’s tribute to Z A Nizami


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Bashir A. Malik, a renowned architect and a senior Aligarhian from Lahore, has expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Engr Z A Nizami, Chancellor, Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) and President, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA).

In a letter addressed to Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, new Chancellor of the SSUET, Architect Bashir Malik, who has been the Chief Technical Advisor of the United Nations Organization (UNO), besides being a former Member of Board Governors of the SSUET, has stated that he was deeply hurt at the sad demise of Engr Nizami.

He paid rich tributes to Engr Nizami for his services for the cause of the city of Karachi and engineering education, and prayed to Allah to grant the departed soul a special place in paradise and fortitude to bereaved family members, colleagues and friends to bear this irreparable loss.

It may be mentioned here that Architect Bashir Malik had donated Rs nine million for the construction of SSUET’s modern auditorium in Block-F.

During lifetime of Engr Nizami he had also offered a piece of land in Lahore for the establishment of SSUET’s Campus there.

Reciprocating the same feelings in a reply to Architect Bashir Malik, the Chancellor SSUET Engr Adil Usman described the passing away of Engr Nizami a great and irreparable loss, describing him a visionary person whose services in the field of town planning of Karachi and particularly in imparting quality engineering education through the SSUET will always be remembered.

Sadaat-e-Amroha holds condolence meeting for Z A Nizami


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chancellor Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman has said that people of Pakistan and for that matter of Sindh and specially Karachi are greatly indebted to late Chancellor SSUET and former DG KDA, Engr Z.A. Nizami who gave this city the status of a world class metropolis and established an engineering university and an Institute of Technology in this great city.

“It is a ‘Sadaq-a-Jaria’ for he accomplished a task which was assigned to him by Almighty Allah,” he said while speaking as chief guest at a condolence meeting organized for late Z A Nizami at the Sadaat-e-Amroha in Karachi.

He said that the demise of Engr Nizami has created a huge vacuum which will be difficult to fill but as new Chancellor of SSUET and President of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) he will leave no stone unturned to carry forward the mission undertaken by the late Chancellor.

“The university will continue to remind us of the services rendered by Engr Nizami and his memories will always refresh our hearts and minds,” he remarked.

Engr Adil Usman stated that it’s not possible for any human being to comprehend the “hikmat” of Allah who is the creator of this universe. It is He who selects His creation for the accomplishment of a task.

Recalling his old association with Engr Nizami, the SSUET Chancellor described him as his ideal and said he learnt a lot from him and he always found him very supportive and sympathizer who would meet every one without consideration of his/her cast, colour and creed and oblige them.

“I have score of examples before me when I found him helping the poor and destitute persons,” he added.

He said that Engr Nizami was a world class town planner who also gave suggestions to the Saudi Government with regard to expansion plans of Harmain Sharifain and Masjid-e-Nabavi (SAWW) and keeping their floors cool.

He said it was upon his request that Shah Faisal had ordered opening of the route reserved for Princesses during Haj for pilgrims-a task which Allah had approved to be taken through Engr Nizami.

Engr Adil Usman remarked that even after retirement as Director General of KDA, Engr Nizami did not sit idle and used his God-gifted vision for the welfare of “Khalq-e-Khuda”.

He said that Engr Nizami procured the land for the SSUET, getting it allotted from the then President and today this institution has so far produced over 10,000 engineers.

Keeping his services in view he was elected as President of AMUOBA for seven terms and held this office till his death.

He said that Engr Nizami was blessed with a very attractive and charming personality and he was particularly helpful to the needy students and would exempt them from payment of fee.

Engr Nizami, he said, made this university a “center of excellence” and students passing out from here were today serving in the USA, UK, Canada and Middle East and many of them were there for still higher education.

The Chancellor said that due to the efforts of Engr Nizami SSUET today has affiliation with many US and UK universities while in Karachi it’s also holding courses for Masters and Ph.D.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Homage paid to late SSUET Chancellor Z A Nizami


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Speakers belonging to various walks of life paid rich tributes to the late SSUET Chancellor, Engr Z.A. Nizami, for his services and highlighted various facets of his life as a world class town planner, educationist and as a friend of the less privileged.

The condolence meeting, organized by the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, with the collaboration of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) of which he was the President, was held at the Convocation Ground of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT).

The speakers on the occasion included former Sindh Governor Lt Gen (Rtd) Moinuddin Haider, Vice-Chancellor Ziauddin University Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqi, Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, Dr Taufiq Ahmed Nizami, younger brother of Engr Z A Nizami, having arrived from Aligarh, Chancellor SSUET Engr Adil Usman,  Senior Aligarhian Ali Zafar Afridi, Vice-Chancellor SSUET Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed, Honorary Consultant Art, Literary and Culture Forum besides Farrukh Nizami, son of late Z A Nizami.

Gen Moinuddin Haider remarked that the name of Engr Nizami will always be remembered because of the services he had rendered for the development of Karachi and specially the establishment of an engineering university of international standard.

He pointed out that after the creation of Pakistan, the Aligarhians with their talent and vision steered Pakistan to the path of progress and name of Engr Nizami will remain on the top.

The former Sindh Governor recalled Engr Nizami’s meetings with him for the acquisition of 200 acres of land where he wanted to establish bigger SSUET’s campus.

He called for continued growth of the tree planted by Engr Nizami for propagation of engineering education so that the university could continue to meet the ever changing world standards in various fields of engineering.

Prof Dr Waqar recalled that late Engr Nizami always used to invite him speak on Sir Syed Day and Iqbal Day which used to be observed every year without a break by the AMUOBA.

He said he didn’t find any match of Engr Nizami in administrative affairs which he demonstrated when he developed this city as DG KDA and proved himself as the world’s best Town Planner. He said his life was full with continuous struggle.

Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqi, recalled Engr Nizami’s association with his father and later with him and said he is the one for whom condolence meetings are being organized by scores of organizations across Pakistan highlighting his vision, greatness and various facets of his fascinating life.

He said that Engr Nizami always kept even those, who were not Aligarhians but possessed natural Aligarhian spirit, along with him for the accomplishment of his vision. He was the one who always thought about carrying the youth forward and establishment of SSUET was a step towards the said direction.

Pirzada Qasim reckoned that Engr Nizami was rich with Aligarh spirit and establishment of this university in the private sector was his major achievement of life – an achievement which will never allow us to forget him ever. He said he was a man of positive attitude so much so he always helped in the establishment of institutions like Delhi College and School and Hamdard University.

In his speech the SSUET Chancellor and the AMUOBA President, Engr Adil Usman,  recalled his old association with Engr Nizami and said throughout his life he worked with all dedication. He said he along with late Zakir Ali Khan steered AMUOBA to dynamic functioning and it was he who managed the allotment of plot on which AIT and SSUET are functioning today.

He said that despite his falling health, would never miss to come to the university. He never accepted defeat from life and kept working till his death. Although today he is not among us but has become part of history.

He vowed that now the responsibility has been entrusted to him and he will make unabated efforts to accomplish the mission undertaken by late Engr Nizami and expand this university to provide best education to students.

Senior Aligarhian Ali Zafar Afridi described Engr Nizami, an epoch-making personality and said that although today he is not among us but his name will remain immortal on the pages of history.

He said that Engr Nizami was a man with dimensional personality having far sighted vision and speedy decision making capability.

He pointed out that the university established by him had so far produced over 10,000 engineers in various engineering disciplines and they are proving their feat in various countries of the world.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid Rizvi said that Engr Nizami was the founding spirit behind the establishment of AIT and SSUET and this university which started with an enrolment of 200 students today has over 6000 students.

He said that Engr Nizami’s services for the cause of education will always be remembers and his popularity can be judged from the fact that he remained President of AMUOBA for seven terms and Chancellor of the University since 1994 till his death. He said the discipline which is witnessed in this university is because of him.

Registrar Shah Mahmood said that the dynamism of Engr Nizami and his love for SSUET was reflective from his presence at the 16thConvocation of the University which he attended despite serious illness and physical weakness.

He said that it was unbelievable of him that he attended the SSUET 14th Convocation a couple of years back despite having received the news about the death of his spouse in Washington just a night before and he did not allow the grief to show up on his face until the convocation ended and he left for his home.

Dr Tafuiq Ahmed Nizami said that he and members of Nizami family are not prepared to believe that he has left the world, but we have to bow our heads before the will of Allah.

He said the way the people from various walks of life have spoken so high about him is a matter of solace for us.

He said that Engr Z A Nizami was an ardent follower of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and at the age of seven and he used to pursue his grand father Khaleeq Nizami to read to him the letters he used to write to Sir Syed

Khumar Farooqi said that throughout his life Engr Nizami took care of the less privileged mortals and if on one hand he allotted plots to builders for city’s development, he established big housing colonies where poor were allotted houses at negligible prices.

He described the establishment of SSUET a “Sadaqa-e-Jaria” and “ahsaan” over nation and country.

Farrukh Nizami said they always saw their “papa” at work and which ever organization he worked in, he led it to success. He said he always provided jobs to needy and never made any one jobless in his career and that was why he was paid tributes to employees of KDA even after 25 years from retirement.

Earlier Muhammed Umer Khan, a university student paid glowing tributes to their late Chancellor and described him as Sir Syed Saani”. He said he was a great benefactor of students of this university.

Another student recited the naat “Mustafa Jaane-Rehmat pe lakho salam”, a naat which will make Engr Nizami to drown into deep thought. The meeting concluded with Dua-e-Maghfirat for the departed soul.

SSUET to collaborate with Spain’s Malaga University


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, and the University of Malaga, Spain, have agreed in principle to have collaboration between the two institutions for Masters and PhD programs besides exchange of students and faculty members in various disciplines of engineering.

The agreement was reached at a meeting held between Chancellor SSUET, Engr Adil Usman, and Dr Javier Poncela, a visiting Professor from the reputed Spanish Malaga University, at the SSUET on April 17.

The meeting was attended, among others, by the SSUET Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid Hasan Rizvi, Chairman Electronics Department, Prof Dr Bilal Alvi, Registrar Shah Mahmood H. Syed, Dr S M Makhdumi, Dean of Engineering, Dr Najeeb Ahmed, Associate Dean Engineering, Director QUE, Prof Zakaullah, Mohammed Shafiq, Chief Consultant, Yahya Waliullah, Director IT and Statistics, and Mohammad Aamir, Assistant Professor Electronics Engineering.

During the wide-ranging discussion Dr Javier sought collaboration between the two universities with the focus on research and development.

After having visited the facilities available at the SSUET he was of the opinion that collaboration between the two institutions will be of mutual benefit, particularly for PhD programmes and exchange of students and faculties. He also spoke about assessing the possibilities of undertaking joint research programmes.

In his remarks the SSUET Chancellor, Engr Adil Usman, stated that their university looked forward for the collaboration in higher engineering courses, Masters and PhD, observing  that they will soon evolve a system for working with the Malaga University.

The SSUET Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jawaid Rizvi, added that the university will welcome such collaboration as far as possible and would further discuss faculty exchange in particular as well as Masters and PhD programmes.

Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed informed the participants of the meeting that the SSUET already has collaboration with many US and UK universities and would like to have the same relationship with Malaga as well.

He said the two sided should identify some concrete steps to achieve the objective and sign MoU for the purpose and to make the collaboration effective.

Later, the two sides went into another session to discuss and sort out technical details for the proposed collaboration.On the occasion the Chancellor presented the SSUET’s traditional souvenir

Sir Syed Tower to be built in heart of Karachi


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Adil Usman, has announced to start the work on the projects visualized by his late predecessor, Engr Z A Nizami, during his lifetime.

He made the announcement at the condolence meeting for Engr Z A Nizami organised by SSUET in collaboration with the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) and the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) at the university's convocation ground.

Engr Adil Usman, who is also the President of the AMUOBA, revealed that the foundation stone of 8-floor IT Tower at the SSUET will be laid soon while the work on the Sir Syed Tower at M R Kiyani Road will also start soon after the availability of funds.

He further said that the work on the IT Park and the SSUET's larger campus to be spread over 200 acres of land acquired by Engr Nizami for the university in ‘Education City’ will also start soon.

He declared that a memorial monument of the late Engr Z A Nizami will also be constructed at SSUET.


Monday, April 15, 2013

IEP holds condolence meeting for Z A Nizami


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to the late Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Z A Nizami at a condolence meeting held under the auspices of the Institution of Engineers at its Karachi Centre on April 13.

The emotionally charged speakers, on the occasion, highlighted the various facets of the life, achievements and the services of Engr Nizami for the development of the city of Karachi and particularly for the promotion of cause of engineering education in Pakistan.

Addressing the gathering, the newly elected President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) and the Chancellor SSUET, Engr Adil Usman, described Engr Nizami as a person of unmatched and outstanding qualities.

He acknowledged having learnt a great deal due to his long and close association with Engr Nizami when the latter was Director General of KDA, President of AMUOBA and as Chancellor of SSUET.

Engr Adil Usman revealed that it was in 1986 when upon the request of the Aligarhians, Engr Nizami assented to become the President of AMUOBA and he turned it around with his unmatched to transform the Association into a dynamic and vibrant organization.

He recalled said an outstanding quality of Engr Nizami was that he always helped the less privileged people regardless of their cast, colour and creed and it was because their prayers for him that Allah granted him so much of respect.

Chancellor Adil Usman reckoned that Karachi as it is today was because of the vision of Engr Nizami and his services for rehabilitating the poor masses through various housing schemes will always be remembered.

He said it was an unprecedented that never in his life, Engr Nizami said “No” to anyone approaching him for help.

He pointed out that the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) came into being in 1988 and it was raised on a plot earmarked by Engr Nizami for the purpose and also for a project which was literally translated to become an engineering university in 1994 which gives a true reflection of his unmatched vision.

The voice of Chancellor Adil Usman choked while stating that the 16th Convocation of the SSUET was the last official function attended by Engr Nizami notwithstanding the fact that he was so physically weak but only the love for the university made him not to miss the occasion.

Homage was paid to Engr Nizami by Engr Jamshed Rizvi, President IEP, and Engr Mian Sultan, Secretary IEP, who specially flew from Lahore to attend the meeting.

Engr Jamshed Rizvi recalled his as well as of his father’s association with Engr Nizami, observing that he had been the true follower of  great educationist and reformer Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

He said that the establishment of an engineering university in the name of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was an accomplishment of Engr Nizami which no ordinary mortal could have performed.

He described Engr Nizami an institution in himself and adding that his death has created a big void which cannot be filled in years.

Engr Mian Sultan described the SSUET as “Sadaqa-e-Jaria” for Engr Nizami and urged the upcoming engineers to follow suit to leave a legacy in their lifetime. He advised the IEP Karachi Centre to name one of their convention centres after Engr Nizami.

Engr Ayaz Mirza, Secretary, IEP Karachi, remarked that Engr Nizami was always willing and happy to be of help to the cause of the engineering community, having consistently extended moral and financial support to the IEP in carrying out its activities for the welfare of budding engineers.

He remembered Engr Nizami as a man of positive attitude and unmatched vision and it’s time for the young engineers to derive inspiration from him.

Speaking on behalf the family members of his father, Mr Farrukh Nizammi, shed light on various facets of the life of Engr Nizami as father, as an administrator and as an educationist and said they will not be able to come out of state of shock for a long time.

He said he was a loving father, an ardent administrator and a dedicated server of the cause of education.

Engr Mohammed Shafiq, a former Controller of Buildings and now a PEC Consultant for SSUET, turned emotional when he spoke about the loving and affectionate attitude of Engr Nizami. He believed that whenever the history of Karachi will be written, Engr Nizami’s name will be on the top.

Others who also spoke on the occasion included Zafar Zuberi, former President IEP, and Gulzar Memon, ex-Chief Engineer KWSB. At the end of the speeches, Dua-e-Maghfirat was offered for the departed soul.

The condolence meeting was also attended by the family members of Engr Nizami including his sons and daughter who came from Washington to take care of his father and remained with him till he breathed his last on April 7.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Engr Adil Usman takes over as SSUET Chancellor


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The newly elected President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA)  Engr Muhammad Adil Usman has taken over as  the Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, on April 8.

Engr Adil Usman, having graduated from the Aligarh Muslim University in the discipline of electrical engineering in 1968, is the Chief Executive of the Associated Technical Consultants, a renowned engineering consulting firm.

He has been taking active interest in the promotion of technical education in Pakistan besides his other social sector engagements. He is the founder member of the SSUET having been a member of the Board of Governors for the last many years.

He is also Convener and Member Governing Body of the Aligarh Institute of Technology. He has now been elected as the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), having been elected its Senior Vice President earlier.

He has actively contributed in social and professional bodies. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) for two consecutive terms, 1991-93 and 1994-96. He was the Convener of the PEC Consulting Engineers Regulation Committee in 1996.

He was elected as the Honorary Secretary of the Association of Consulting Engineers, Pakistan for the term of 1999-2001 and worked on National and International level for furtherance the cause of the engineering community in Pakistan.

Engr Adil Usman has attended numerous technical seminars held in Pakistan and abroad having presented a large number of technical papers many of whom have also been published in the reputed international journals.

He has been involved in research projects related to introducing viable sources of renewable energy in the Pakistani market, one of which was the local design and fabrication of a bio-diesel production plant.

He is a Fellow of Institution of Engineers and Vice-President (Electrical) of Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP). He is also a member of various prestigious institutions, actively working for promoting cause of the engineers at all forums.

SSUET closed for two days to mourn Chancellor Nizami’s death


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, will remain closed on April 8 and 9 in mourning of the sad demise of its founding Chancellor and President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), Engr Z A Nizami, who passed away on April 7.

An announcement in this regard was made by Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed at a condolence meeting held at the University’s  Bashir A. Malik Auditorium  under the chairmanship of newly elected President AMUOBA and Chancellor SSUET, Engr Adil Usman.

The meeting was largely attended, among others, by Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, senior faculty members, teaching and non-teaching staff besides the members of AMUOBA.

On the occasion homage was paid to late Engr Z A Nizami for his educational and social services spanning decades. Dua-e-Maghfirat was offered and it was prayed to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.

It was also announced that the soyem will be held on April 9 between Asr and Maghrib prayers at the residence of late Chancellor Nizami in Clifton.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Engr Adil Usman elected new AMUOBA President, SSUET Chancellor


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Executive Committee of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) went into an emergency session at the AMUOBA Head Office in Karachi on April 7.

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution whereby Engr Muhammad Adil Usman, Senior Vice President, will take over the charge as President of AMUOBA and as the Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, by virtue of this office.

The resolution will be effective with immediate effect as per provision of the Memorandum and Article of AMUOBA and the Act of the SSUET.

The meeting also passed a resolution condoling the sad demise of Engr Z A Nizami, the President of the AMUOBA and the Chancellor of the SSUET, who passed away in the early hours of April 7.

The meeting offered Dua-e-Magfarat and prayed to Almightily Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

Baba-e-Karachi Z A Nizami passes away


By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The man who gave a new development concept to the ever-sprawling city of Karachi breathed his last on April 7 at the age of 81.

Engr Z.A. Nizami, the Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) and a former Director General of the defunct Karachi Development Authority (KDA), passed away after a brief illness.

Born on May 31, 1931 in Meerut, Engr Nizami has left behind five sons and a daughter besides grandsons and granddaughters to mourn his death. He lost his wife, a reputed short story writer, last year when she died in the US and was laid to rest in Washington on March 19, 2012.

Engr Nizami’s Namaz-e-Janaza was offered at Masjid-e-Umer near his Clifton residence while the burial took place at the Karachi Milk Plant graveyard in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

The funeral and burial was largely attended by hundreds of his fans who included ministers, former elected representatives, bureaucrats, educationists, members of the civil society, members of AMUOBA and the officials and staff of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology.

An acclaimed genius, Engr Nizami who rose from the position of an engineer to the office of Director General of KDA and steered the city of Karachi to new concepts of modernization having introduced 45 schemes which remained at the same number till his death as not a single new scheme was launched after his retirement.

Besides being a town planner of world class, the most outstanding achievement of Engr Nizami was Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology which he established from AMUOBA’s platform in 1994 with four engineering disciplines in the initial stage and with a total enrolment of only 200 students. The university today has six engineering disciplines with an enrolment of over 5000.

He established this university on the land situated in the heart of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and with solo efforts also acquired 200 acres of land in the Education City.

Engr Nizami’s last official public appearance was at the SSUET’s 16thConvocation held on March 26 at the Karachi Expo Center where over 1100 passing out students were awarded degrees.

The last interview of Engr Nizami, done by this scribe, was widely published in print media just one day before the Convocation in which he spoke in detail about the progress achieved by SSUET in just 18 years and the future plans he had for it.

A remarkable and outstanding person, Engr Nizami had the reputation of being so considerate and sympathetic to poor people. He provided them jobs in SSUET to help them earn their livelihood.

He passionately promoted both academic and extra curricular activities at the university which won laurels nationally and internationally, particularly in the fields of sports, declamation contests and other social and cultural activities.

He remained the President of AMUOBA for seven consecutive terms and held the office of Chancellor of SSUET by virtue of this office ever since the university came into being.

“Who will now listen to our wows and grief and extend a helping hand,” said an unknown crying poor man.

“I was a newspaper hawker selling newspapers around Hotel Metropole and Mr Nizami made my son an engineer who is now earning handsomely in Dubai,” a weeping Iftikhar said.

Engr Nizami’s youngest son, Naveed, was in the US when he was informed about the worsening condition of his illustrious father. He dashed to Pakistan and met his father just four minutes before he expired. Engr Nizami saw his son, patted his hand and his eyes shut down for ever.

Meanwhile the soyem for the departed soul will be held on April 9 between Asr and Maghrib prayers at his Clifton residence.

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology has announced a mourning session to pay homage to their late Chancellor at 10 am on April 8 and will close down after offering of fateha for the departed soul.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

SSUET to offer PhD programme in more engineering disciplines


Prof Dr Jawed Rizvi
By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

This was disclosed by the SSUET Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawed Rizvi, in an interview on April 1 in which he also spoke about the accomplishments of his the institution.

The university, he pointed out, is offering Bachelors of Science Degree programmes in six disciplines, civil, computer, electronic, biomedical and telecommunications engineering besides computer science. 

The Masters programme, he said, covers these six areas and in addition offers a Masters of Science degree in Mathematics also and announced that the graduating class which passed out recently at the 16th Convocation included the first batch of Masters’ degree recipients for civil engineering, biomedical engineering and mathematics. 

The Ph.D programme is offered in the disciplines of electronic engineering and computer engineering. It is only for faculty members and currently there are 15 students pursuing Ph.D studies. It is expected that some of them will complete their research work and receive Ph.D degree in the coming year. 

He recalled that first convocation of the SSUET was held on March 27, 1998 in which 197 graduates were awarded Bachelor degree in the disciplines of electronics and computer engineering while recently 1150 graduates in six disciplines received the Bachelor degrees and 32 were awarded Master degree in six disciplines. 

The SSUET VC informed that since the university was established in 1994, it has produced over 10,000 graduates in a number of disciplines ranging from civil engineering to biomedical engineering. 

Prof Dr Jawed Rizvi emphasized that the university operates on the philosophy of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan with no restrictions on admissions on the basis of caste, creed or domicile. “The admissions are provided on the basis of merit alone and for this reason, it has seen an increasing influx of talented students from all parts of Pakistan,” he asserted. 

The University, he continued, believes in providing its students with access to all necessary tools to succeed with its state of the art labs equipped with modern equipment meeting international standards in order to provide students with practical knowledge to augment the conventional classroom learning. 

“We ensure that there is a 1:1 ratio of students to computers to enable each individual access to a separate computer. The yearly budget allocates funds per department for up gradation and purchase of additional equipment. The computer engineering department currently has eight labs and a further Rs 10 million has been earmarked in this year’s budget," he revealed.

He said that the electronic engineering department was also equipped with eight labs and a budget allocation of Rs 8.6 million made for the current year. 

He remarked that the SSUET holds the honour of being the first university in Pakistan to introduce biomedical engineering as a discipline in 1996. 

"Our graduates in this specialty provide support to major hospitals across the country and ensure that the health care system in Pakistan is provided with the proper maintenance of equipment and that international standards are maintained. The biomedical engineering department currently has nine labs with latest equipment and Rs six million allocated for the current budget," he said.

"The civil engineering department was also setup in 1996 and is currently the most popular discipline with over 1750 applicants competing for a limited number of 200 seats. The department has 10 fully equipped labs and Rs 8 million allocated in the 2013 budget. The telecommunications engineering department had its second batch graduated at 16th Convocation and it has has seven labs with a budget allocation is Rs 4.4 million for the current yea," the VC stated. 

In addition, the University library has a rich collection of over 75,000 books and offers a book bank system whereby students can borrow books for an entire semester. 

"Our active career planning department assists graduating students in placements as well as arranging internships," he said.

 The Vice-Chancellor explained that the university has a policy, which ensures that capable students are not deprived of education due to weak financial position. 

"The University scheme of Scholarship and Financial Assistance helps the needy and deserving students, who have financial problems. In the fiscal year 2012-2013, Rs 40 million allocated for the university in many other areas also will always be valued. In addition to sports, the university also encourages participation in extracurricular activities through its Literary Art and Culture Forum. The forum provides an opportunity for students to take part in debates, qiraat and naat competitions," he added.

 Referring to passing out of graduating class of 2012, Prof Dr Jawed Rizvi quoted Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as having said: “National progress is the sum total of the individual’s labour, honour, honesty and sympathy. Similarly, national downfall is the cumulative result of the individual’s laziness and dishonour.”