Tributes paid to Prof Dr S M Makhdumi

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to Prof Dr S M Makhdumi, the former Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, who was laid to rest on March 22. He was also a member of the Board of Governors and member of the Academic Council at the university. 

He did his PhD in civil engineering from Nottingham, UK, MSc in Structural Engineering from Manchester, UK, and his BE (Civil Engineering) from the NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, where he also went on become chairman of the civil engineering department and later, Dean of Faculty of Engineering. 

He was also a consultant to many engineering firms in Pakistan who benefited from his vast experience in design of structures including multistoried buildings, industrial concerns, bridges and varied structures. He was associated in over 500 projects in the country.

The burial of Prof Dr S M Makhdumi was also attended by Prof Dr Sarosh Hashmi Lodi, who had taken over the charge of the Vice Chancellor of the NED University earlier in the day. 

Meanwhile a large number of teaching and non-teaching staff of the SSUET attended the condolence reference held at SSUET in which they offered dua-e-maghfirat for the departed soul and prayed to Allah to rest the soul in eternal peace and grant him highest place in Jannah. 

The SSUET Chancellor, Jawaid Anwar, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawed H Rizvi, Acting Dean Prof Dr Najeeb, and Registrar, Syed Sarfraz Ali besides some senior Aligharians were also present on the occasion. 

In a brief speech Chancellor Jawaid Anwar recalled the services of the late Prof Dr Makhdumi as Chairman of the civil engineering department and Dean Faculty of Engineering for promoting the cause of the SSUET. 

He observed that the university has grown over the years and is recognized as educational centre of excellence both at home and abroad which was made possible by dedicated persons like Prof Dr Makhdumi. 

The Chancellor stated that the SSUET graduates were performing appreciative services and earning successes everywhere. He said that it was the very objective of the university and Prof Dr Makhdoomi too was working on this mission. 

Meanwhile, the Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology, Engr Anwar Ali, also paid rich compliments to the late Prof Dr Makhdoomi, describing him as one of the best teachers and a kind-hearted human being whose services will always be remembered. 

Prof Dr Abdul Samad, also working at the SSUET, informed that Prof Dr Makhdumi was his class fellow and they had both joined the NED University together. 

Engr Mohammed Shafiq, a former Director of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), recalled that Prof Dr Makhdumi was his teacher at the NED University, adding that even at the SSUET he used to visit him regularly to seek his guidance and advice on various issues.

Prof Dr Sarosh Lodi takes over as new VC of NED University

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prof Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, who was working as the Dean, Civil Engineering & Architecture, has taken over as the new Vice-Chancellor of the NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, on March 22.

A recipient of numerous awards for his scholastic accomplishments over the years, he was the front-runner for the post which became vacant following the completion of tenure of his immediate predecessor, Prof Dr Mohammad Afzal Haque. 

Having proven track record in the field of academics and administration, he is expected to lead the turnaround of the NED University, which is the oldest engineering institution of the metropolis. 

Currently the university has an enrollment of about 12,000, comprising of around 9,000 undergraduate students while the rest are engaged in master’s and PhD studies. At the time of taking over, 

Prof Dr Sarosh Lodi’s top priority would be to streamline and consolidate the functioning of the historic institution and to overcome its financial constraints with the collaboration of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Government of Sindh. 

Himself an alumnus of the NED University, he will be keen to strengthen the culture of research during his tenure as the Vice Chancellor, knowing his inclination for such tasks. 

Leading by example, Prof Dr Sarosh Lodi finds himself in a good position to engage the fellow faculty members in promoting and carrying out the research works. 

He is the son of Prof Hashmatullah Lodhi, a renowned educationist and author, who was also a brilliant hockey player in his younger years, having come very close to representing the British India’s all-conquering team.