New AMUOBA President Vows to Revive Association's Credibility, Focus on Modern Education

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Mohammed Akbar Ali Khan, the newly-elected President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) and Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), has pledged to restore the association's past glory and implement modern educational reforms.

In his inaugural address during the first meeting after his election, Khan, speaking to members of the Pakistan News & Features Services, described his victory as a "momentous occasion" and committed to upholding the association's rich history and traditions. "Our mission is not only to revive its past credibility but also conceive new ideas for its future role," he declared.

Khan emphasized the need for educational reforms to address contemporary challenges, outlining plans for curriculum changes and the integration of modern teaching practices. "I promise to adopt modern day teaching practices by adopting modern technology and thus promote the creative talents of our youth by focusing mainly on research," he stated. He also highlighted the importance of fostering international cooperation to enhance research activities.

Jaffar Nazir Usmani, the AMUOBA’s General Secretary, echoed Khan's commitment, pledging to utilize his abilities to fulfill the promises made and prioritize their implementation. "The time has come to move forward with new determination and ensure bringing positive changes by promoting mutual cooperation," he said.

Erum Akbar, another key figure in the association, attributed their electoral success to teamwork and stressed the importance of continued collaboration. She also addressed past grievances, notably the revocation of Akbar Ali Khan's membership, vowing that "no injustice will be allowed to be done to anyone and all decisions would be taken purely on performance and merit."

Engr Adil Usman, former AMUOBA President and SSUET Chancellor, expressed hope for improved management of associate institutions and the continued advancement of the late Zakir Ali Khan’s mission.

Noted Aligarhian and poet Tariq Sabzwari criticized the past decade for deviating from Aligarh's traditional culture, introducing "self-centered objectives." He acknowledged that reversing this mismanagement would require time.

Members of AMUOBA engaged in open discussions, proposing both short-term and long-term strategies, emphasizing the integration of technologies with current market value. They highlighted the dawn of a "new era" for AMUOBA and SSUET, stressing the importance of strengthening ties between industry and academia.

Notably, some members expressed surprise at their inclusion in the AMUOBA, indicating potential gaps in communication. The meeting was also attended by prominent figures, including Farrukh Nizami, son of SSUET’s founder Engr Z.A Nizami, and Engr Adil Usman.

Happiness is indeed not something readymade; it comes from our actions

By Zara Waqas

Dalai Lama had famously declared that happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions. This quote has fascinated me immensely. I am sure that many of you like it too. 

Happiness is a subjective phenomenon that everyone seeks in their own way. It varies from person to person and it can be influenced by different factors. 

Generally, we search for happiness in things, people, money, and experiences that we believe will bring us a sense of fulfilment and joy. 

However, happiness is not something that can be bought, borrowed, or begged for. It is a state of mind that can only be attained by taking action to nurture and cultivate it within oneself. 

According to Denis Waitley, happiness cannot be travelled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. 

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. It's all about our thinking. If we have a habit of looking at negative aspect of everything, and if we are unable to accept reality or cannot admit our mistakes, then what will happen in the end? 

Let me tell you, we will lose our confidence and grace. Blaming others for our mistakes or faults will turn us cruel and will affect our relations with classmates, friends, and relatives, and in the end, we will be left alone in this world. 

There is a simple formula for happiness. Try to help others by all means, make ways for others to progress, meet people with crystal clear hearts and sweet smiles on your face, use polite words, be humble and kind, be honest in your deeds and last but not the least, keep doing what makes you happy. 

Of course, watching videos or playing games all the time on mobile or tablets may not serve the purpose. Let us be realistic and use our time and energy wisely and positively. Because our future and happiness both are in our own hands. 

Always remember, happiness is a choice and it can only come from within you. Let us learn to appreciate all small blessings that we take for granted. It all depends on us, how we take things. It is upto us whether we make life a burden for ourselves or embrace it with open arms. 

I have read somewhere that life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what is there until you open and taste it. How true, isn’t it? 

Outside factors and other people can also affect our happiness. If someone close to us dies or if we fall sick or pick up a serious injury all of these things are not going to make us feel happy. Grief and feelings of sadness are all part and parcel of life and we need to go through them to appreciate all the good things in life that make us happy. 

Happiness is a result of our choices and mindset, not something that just happens to us. Another beautiful saying of Charles Spurgeon is that it's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.