Aligarhian vows to establish a university in BD on the pattern of SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The General Secretary of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMOUBA), Bangladesh, Prof Dr Shah Kausar Mustafa has vowed to establish a university in Bangladesh on the pattern of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), having been founded and managed in Karachi by the Pakistan chapter of AMOUBA.

The Dhaka-based educationist expressed the commitment in this regard while addressing the Aligarhians and faculty members in a reception hosted in his honor during a recent visit to the SSUET.

He described the establishment of the SSUET a virtual fulfillment of the mission of great reformer and educationist, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

Hailing the SSUET as a model institution, he lauded the services rendered by Chancellor Z A Nizami and the late Zakir Ali Khan.

“Their name will remain alive all along with the mission of Sir Syed. They have set an example by setting up such a great institution,” Prof Kausar Mustafa observed.

“I am keenly working along with my compatriots for the establishment of a university on SSUET’s pattern in Bangladesh,” he stated and hoped that with the Aligarh spirit he has within him he will succeed in his mission.

On the occasion Absar Mustafa, another guest from Aligarh described Sir Syed University an ideal educational institution and said the quality of its laboratories are impressive.

Noting that merit was strictly observed while granting admissions Absar Mustafa called for efforts to grant greater admissions to foreign students so as to spread SSUET’s identity world over.

He informed that all possible facilities were being provided to students at Aligarh Muslm University where students were charged only Rs 9 as hostel fee along with water and electricity.

Welcoming the distinguished visitors, the Convenor Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) Engr Mohammed Adil Usman (Alig) said that the Aligarh spirit is imbibed in our souls and is our real guide. He said every success can be achieved, if it is followed in letter and spirit.

Speaking on the occasion, the SSUET Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawed Husain Rizvi, welcomed the mission of Prof Dr Shah Kausar Mustafa for establishment of the SSUET-like institution in Dhaka and assured him of all support and cooperation in this regard.

Sir Syed University appreciated by CIEC for quick action

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee (CIEC) of the Sindh Government have appreciated the efforts of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, for implementation of its recommendations after its last visit.

The CIEC made this observation in its Fifth Inspection Report of June 2012 following its visit to the University in October last year.

The 6-member Committee, headed BY Dr S M Qureshi, had carried out inspection of the University on October 20, 2011. The committee was assisted by members of Experts Sub-Committees for the Departments of Bio-Medical, Electronic, Telecommunication, Computer and Civil Engineering and Computer Science.

The Chairman CIEC expressed the Committee’s satisfaction with regard to the compliance of its recommendations and stated that the interaction during visits by CIEC gad built-up more and more confidence between CIEC  and the University as  a result of which the University had progressed further and acquired “5 stars” rating  of the CIEC.

The members of Experts Sub-Committees in their overview expressed general satisfaction on the overall performance of the University and in this regard mentioned positive improvements in general in case of all the departments.

In its report the CIEC Chairman also appreciated the elaborate presentation given by the Registrar while Acting Vice-Chancellor explained queries made by CIEC members with regard to functioning of the University to their satisfaction.

He, however, suggested creating a greater feeling of ownership among the teachers and employees of the university while the teachers to be encouraged to go locally or abroad for training and acquiring of Ph.D. degrees to end the blockage of their further promotion.

During its inspection the Committee made major observations with regard to the establishment of the University, physical facilities, academic programs, enrolment, admission eligibility etc ., admission criteria, Bachelor, Masters and Ph.D  programs, scholarships/free-ship, research and development, quality assurance.

It was informed that the University has acquired membership of International Association of Universities and had signed MOUs with 11 foreign universities for linkage in various aspects.

It was communicated that about 40 percent of total students were awarded financial assistance/scholarships every year and in this regard Rs 40 million were allocated for scholarships and another Rs 10 million for financial assistance in the year 2011.

The body was also intimated that a total amount of Rs 217.4 million was provided as scholarships and financial assistance to 12,819 students during the last 15 years.

Sir Syed University dedicate chair in name of Brig Qamarussalam Khan

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

 The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Z A Nizami, has announced the establishment of a chair at the University in the name of Late Brig (Rtd) Qamarussalam Khan.

 “The  decision has been taken in recognition to the services of Brig Qamar for the cause of education,” Engr Z A Nizami announced while speaking at a memorial function organized by the University on the first death anniversary of Late Brig Qamar, who was also a member of the University’s Board of Governors since its inception.

 Chancellor Nizami also announced to attribute the University’s Liteary and Cultural Forum, after name of Brig Qamar who was the founder and head of the Forum and brought a name to the university through the Forum’s activities.

 On the occasion speakers paid glowing tributes to late brigadier for his services for the University as well as Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association.

 The entire family members of Brig Qamar including his widow, sons and daughters also attended the memorial meeting.

 Chancellor Nizami recalled the great contribution made by Brig Qamar  for the causes of SSUT and AUOBA and said he was so committed that he attended his last meeting of the Board of Governors on wheel chair about a week before his death.

 He recalled that when former President Parvez Musharraf came to this university as chief guest of the annual convocation and when he saw Brig Qamar in the reception line, he addressed as “Sir” saying that he had remained his teacher.

 Chancellor Nizami said that Brig Qamar had a long list of achievements to his credit including the establishment of Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) which came into being due to his untiring efforts.

 He said that name of Brig Qamar will remain memorable in the history of SSUT for all times to come.

 In his brief speech, Tabinda Javed, daughter of Brig Qamar, who arrived from Canada, stated that she and all other members of the family will always remain proud of services of his father during her studentship a Aligarh, as a protagonist of Pakistan Movement and finally in the Armed Forces and here in this university.

 Khumar Farooqi, Convenor of the newly named Brig Qamarussalam Khan Literary, Arts and Cultural Forum recalled his 4-year long association with Brig Qamar and said he found him very sympathetic and God-fearing person who loved every one. He said basically his focus all the time remained on propagation of cause of education.

 Saeed Ahmed Siddiqi, a most senior Alaigarhian said that heart and soul of late Brig Qamar always remained imbibed with the spirit of atriotism and Eman.

 He recalled his active participation in the 1945-46 election as a member of Aligarh Muslim Students Federation and recalled that if Muslim League had failed in winning the election, Pakistan would not have come into being.

 Col (Rtd) Yazdani, a close compatriot of Brig (Rtd) Qamarussalam also spoke on the occasion.

 Later Chancellor Nizami, along with the family members of Brig Qamar unveiled the plaque naming Literary, Arts and Cultural Forum after the name of Brig Qamar.

Dr Mehtab Karim delivers lecture at SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

Dr Mehtab S Karim, a distinguished Senior Fellow & Affiliated Professor,  School of Public Policy from George Mason University USA, visited Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, and delivered a lecture on “Role of Youth in National Development: Examples from Karachi/Aspirations and Entrepreneurship potential among youth in Karachi”.

 In his lecture and presentation through power-point he explained that the youth plays a most important role in socio-economic development and growth of a country. 


“There is a dilemma that in most of developed countries, futility has declined in the last three or four decades that resulted reduction in proportion of youth population in total population and consequently old age population has increased. Old age population needs social security, health care, etc. that needs resources,” the visiting Professor from George Mason University pointed out. 


In Islamic countries, he continued, fertility has not declined to the extent as in other countries resulting that there is a bulge of youth population in age group of 10-29 years. The group is productive group and can contribute significantly to socio-economic development and political changes in the country. Recent upheaval and revolution in many Islamic countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Syria and other countries are reflective of it. 


Talking about Pakistan, he said, this country has sizeable proportion of youth population and if properly guided can be a reservoir for socio-economic development in the country. However, for a number of reasons youth are divided on many considerations and grounds in the county that is not good for the country itself because extremism of any type results in hatred and violence, he observed. 


Dr. Mehtab Kareem also held detailed discussion with Engr Z. A. Nizami, Chancellor, SSUET, talking about the possible collaboration with universities in the country and abroad.   Engr Nizami informed him that the SSUET already has collaboration with any US and UK universities and would like to collaborate with the distinguished George Mason University. Mohammad Yahya Waliullah, Director IT & Statistical Bureau, SSUET will act as coordinator/focal person in collaborative efforts.

Karachi needs major drainage plan before monsoon: Z A Nizami

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology has, on the directive of its Chancellor Z.A. Nizami,  issued an exhaustive report on “Rain Emergency” in Karachi.

The Chancellor issued the directive  following Met Office forecast about excessive rains this year hitting the coastal areas of Sindh including Karachi.

Talking to media, Chancellor Nizami observed that whenever there is heavy rainfall in Karachi coinciding with high tides in Arabian Sea, the basic civic services like storm water drainage, water supply, sewerage, power supply, accessibility and movement within city get disrupted. and daily routine life of citizens comes to a standstill during this period besides loss of life and damage to property.

This situation, he emphasized, warrants suitable measures prior to the start  of monsoon season preferably well in advance as to minimize possible miseries suffered by citizen, save the loss of life and property.

The Chancellor pointed out that considering the  rainfall impact on civic service, the report discuss threadbare  problems and solutions thereof..

He pointed out that recommendations  of the report are mostly experience-driven,  service-oriented and at the same time, the role of civic bodies, efforts of NGOs and media coverage have also been included and  can go a long way to improve on-ground situation on lasting basis.

He said that precautionary measures are immediately needed for uninterrupted service during rains.

According to the report, there are 100 vulnerable spots in Karachi where flooding occurs whenever there is rainfall for which technical solutions for permanent remedy are needed.

“Purpose of these works would be to improve conditions, he said and pointed out that since monsoon season is approaching it is necessary for authorities to undertake proactive steps on fast track and on war footing..

It may be mentioned here that on the Chancellors directives, the SSUET’s  Institute of Human Setlements and Disaster Management of  University, has published many  reports on Environment and Disaster Management as a public service activity..

The report hinted that heavy rains are expected this year and it was imperative  to make full proof measures before rains start.

Considering gravity of situation and problems faced by citizen during emergency, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) has decided to contribute towards the public service by effectively using the expertise available in the institution.

The role of SSUET is to serve as a think-tank through independent scientific approach to reinforce efforts of the City District Government, Karachi (CDGK), and other stakeholders to cope with natural or manmade disaster situation.

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology has established the Institute of Human Settlements and Environment that produces research reports with recommendations on disaster management. As a part of this activity this report focuses on the heavy rainfall during 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 1010 and 2011. Monsoon season synchronizes with high tides and windstorm.

The overall impact on civic services is covered in the report and highlights problems. Report also includes some recommendation to address the issue on lasting basis. Now that Global Warming is a real phenomenon and after experience of Pakistan Floods 2010/2011, possibility of heavy downpour can be expected. Common problems that arise in provision of civic services include flooding of rainwater at a number of places, shortage of water, contamination of drinking water, sewage overflows, hazards of billboards, uprooting of trees, and power failure for long duration and live wire snapping.

The emergency situation has caused adverse consequences on infrastructure of city as a whole. The underlying weaknesses in our system, which originate from temporary solutions, do not last and break-down is common feature during emergency. Situation that occurred in past showed that local authorities are yet to get fully prepared to cope with the hazards.

It said considering difficulties faced by citizen during rains of 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009-2010, City District Government Karachi (CDGK), KWSB has taken a number of measures, but, a lot of work is required in future. More efforts are needed on immediate, short, medium and long term leading to master plan of city Storm Water Drainage. Rainfall 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 was although rainfall runoff was of less quantity, but it was of high intensity. It synchronized with high tides along coastal belt and wind-storm. During Monsoon season May to August although the quantity of rain is less but of high intensity both in space and time the flow of runoff from outfalls also gets affected.

The report suggests that there is a need to immediately undertake and prepare a storm water drainage master plan by concerned authority in the light of pervious history.

De-silting, cleaning of all nallahs and drains by CDGK and TMAs as a continuous activity. The report says that keeping in view the gravity of situation discussed above it is proposed to have a conference at SSUET to review the whole scenario and to suggest future course of action.

SSUET’s Rs 817 million budget 2012-13 passed with 20% salary increase

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

A surplus Rs 817 million budget of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, (SSUET), Karachi, for the fiscal 2012-2013 was passed at a meeting of the University’s Board of Governors held under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid Hasan  Rizvi on June 23.

In the budget the University announced a 20 percent increase in the salaries of its employees while it showed Rs 815 million as current expenditure for the next fiscal.

The budget shows Rs 816.89 million as current income and Rs 814.27 million as current expenditure thus making it surplus by Rs 2.63 million.

According to the salient features, the university will spend Rs 100.52 million on development, Rs 37.6 million on the purchase of additional equipment for laboratories in all the Faculties including newly established Telecom Faculty.

Besides, Rs 16.5 million has been earmarked for financial help to deserving students and staff. The help will come out of profits on Endowment Fund, while Rs 23.45 million would be spent on construction of new academic block and Rs 9 million for development of New Campus/IT Park at its 200 acres of land in the upcoming Education City.

The university has earmarked Rs 1.5 million for research projects, Rs 6 million for research by faculty, Rs 1.6 million for PhD Graduate Program while Rs 3 million has been set aside for purchase of new books, research journals and equipment for its library.

As per budget documents some 10,818 students had been awarded degrees in six different engineering disciplines since 1998 to date

 This year, the university allocated Rs 16.5 million for development fund and the accumulated Fund now stands at Rs 88.1 million. The Endowment Fund which was established with an amount of Rs 250 million in 2006 has now soared to Rs 310 million.

The Board also approved the proposition of Academic Council according to which syllabus has been amended with respect to the present demands and modern trends.

The Board meeting was attended, among others, by Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Moinuddin Haider, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Prof. Dr. M.D. Shami, Justice Fazl-e-Ghani Khan, Engr. Muhammad Adil Usman and Cdre (Rtd) Salim A. Siddiqui.  

JCR-VIS assign IFC strength of AA to PakRe

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi The JCR-VIS Credit Rating Co. Ltd. (JCR-VIS), approved by the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), has reaffirmed the Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating of Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited (PRCL) at "AA" (Double A) for the year 2012. The outlook on the rating is stable. The JCR-VIS rating agency, a joint venture between Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. (JCR) - Japan's premier rating agency, Vital Information Services (Pvt.) Limited (VIS) is acclaimed as Pakistan’s only independent financial research organization. The rating derives strength from the significant holding of Government of Pakistan in the company. Moreover, given that all insurance companies of Pakistan are mandated to offer 35% of their surplus business to PRCL in the form of cession, the company is expected to maintain a sizeable market share in premium ceded by the insurance industry. The JCR-VIS have taken into account the improvement in underwriting profit of the company on a timeline basis in 2011 on account of lower retrocession. While overall claims ratio has remained at prior year's level, claims performance in facultative business continues to be superior relative to that of treaty business. In view of this, further growth in the share of treaty business in overall business may result in upward pressure on net claims ratio, going forward. It observed that overall profitability of the Company receives strong impetus from recurring earnings on investment portfolio. Even though insurance debt represented more than one-third of gross premium, JCR-VIS have noted that outstanding liabilities are adequately covered by liquid assets. This is the second year running that PakRe has earned this distinction in 2012. Besides, PakRe has been acclaimed the best Non-Life Reinsurance Company by Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) for 2011 for Corporate Governance Excellence Award-2011 which the Chairman PakRe, Munawwar Opel, received from the Federal Minister, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who was the chief guest on the occasion.  PakRe, the lone reinsurer in Pakistan is a public sector enterprise, has earned Rs.900.00 Million after tax profit announced and distributed 30% dividend to its shareholders (51% - Federal Government, 24% -SLIC and rest minority including staff of PakRe) amounting to Rs.900 Million, and six bonuses to its employees. Its role in the economic development of Pakistan has been significant. The progress so far made signifies consolidation of our position, both at home and abroad and encourages further expansion. Munawwar Opel was elevated as Federal Secretary in BS-22 and appointed as Chairman, Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited in April 2012. He has had the distinction of being the Acting Chief Secretary Sindh twice. He also served as KPT’s General Manager, Administration, for almost a year.

PEC Chairman destermined to resolve problems of engineers

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Chairman of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Syed Abdul Qadir Shah, has assured that he will leave no stone unturned in resolving the issues confronting the consulting engineers of the country.

He held out the assurance while speaking as the chief guest at a reception hosted to felicitate Maulana Arif Kassim and Ahsan Azhar Siddiqi, on their election as Secretary and President of Consulting Engineering Association of Pakistan (CEAP) respectively.

“The PEC, within its jurisdiction, will extend total support in resolving the problems of consulting engineers,” Abdul Qadir Shah told the gathering.

He particularly referred to the enrollment of the CEAP members with the PEC and announced that leaving the choice with the President and Secretary CEAP, either of them would be taken on PEC’s Enrollment Committee so that no problem is faced by their members in getting PEC’s enrollment.

He recalled that recently the PEC had invited Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to its dinner function in which the Prime Minister accepted their demands including matters related to service structure of engineers and appointment of engineers as heads of engineering sections of their respective departments.

Referring to the issues raised by eminent consulting engineers, the Chairman PEC directed that the same should be submitted to him in writing and reiterated the assurance that PEC would solve them.

Abdul Qadir Shah informed the audience that a Help Desk has been set up at the PEC and the Council would publicize the vacancies of engineers wherever it will come to know about their availability.

He said that the PEC has asked the Consultants to appoint engineers in their respective organizations, addng that this would greatly helpful in overcoming unemployment among engineers.

Earlier in his speech, the CEAP Secretary, Arif Kassim, called for greater unity among consulting engineers and said only a strong coordination between them would help resolve their problems.

He urged the CEAP members to work dedicatedly for promoting the cause of the association. He also highlighted various problems faced by consulting engineers, particularly their enrolment with the PEC and demanded that consulting engineers be given representation in its various committees.

The CEAP President, Ahsan Siddiqi, remarked that their Association has enlisted the problems faced by its members and has taken initiatives to resolve them.

Earlier Mohammed Shafiq, an eminent consulting engineer, delivered the welcome address and expressed the hope that as the chief of the engineer’s epoch body, he will be able to resolve the issues faced by consulting engineers.

The outgoing President of the Association also spoke on the occasion and highlighted various problems faced by Consulting Engineers.

Besides a large number of consulting engineers from various engineering disciplines, the reception was also attended by Vice-Chairman, PEC, Mukhtar Shaikh, DG Railway’s Walton Training Institute, Qureshi, and a former civil servant, Ashfaq Memon.

KASB Foundation urge David Grier to run across Pakistan

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Chairman of the KASB Foundation, Arif Ali Shah Bukhari, alongwith with the representatives from the various components of the KASB of Group Companies, had a very constructive and fruitful meeting with David Grier, the inspirational figurehead from South Africa, who is serving humanity through his ‘Miles for Smiles Foundation’ with the objective to raise funds and awareness for non-profit organizations world-over to help thousands of children overcome poverty through life changing innovative decisions. 

Grier is one of the best known philanthropists besides being a speaker, chef and extreme adventurer, hailing from the South African city of Cape Town. He has also raised funds for reconstructive facial surgeries for underprivileged children, that has helped to change their lives forever.

Although asthmatic, he has proven to the world that the limitations we impose on ourselves are only in our minds by overcoming them with ‘running campaigns’ that have sometimes been for months, with the most famous ones being running all the way on the Great Wall of China that covered a staggering distance of 4,200 kms in 98 days, besides his runs across India, Madagascar South Africa and many other such adventurous ventures to help raise funds and awareness for the needy, underprivileged and poor in our society.

Bukhari and Grier also discussed the need to help poor children in Pakistan with childhood deformities as well as deformities caused to women of disfigurement by the throwing of acid on their faces. 

To help create awareness through which this “cursed trend” is put to an end, Bukhari also requested David Grier to “run across Pakistan – from Karachi to Peshawar” at a time convenient to him in the near future. 

Bukhari heads the KASB Foundation, a non-profit organisation which is involved in bettering the lives of the under-privileged people by providing grants for charitable purpose. It has continued to grow and develop as a transparent charitable organization through its highly motivated and organized structure that provides disaster relief and long-term sustainable community health services and self-support programmess that provide opportunities to the underprivileged to earn and manage their lives with self-respect and diginity.

The Miles for Smiles Foundation was formed to assist Operation Smile in creating awareness for the plight of children born with cleft lips and palates and raise funds to perform corrective surgery on them. It has a fundamental aim, to inspire and challenge individuals to go out and make a difference in the lives of those around them, by challenging themselves to achieve the impossible and by doing so make a difference. 

Shah Mahmood inaugurates another facility at SSUET

Karachi Observer Report

Sir Syed University of Engineering & Techonolgy (SSUET), Karachi, under the visionary leadership of Engr Z A Nizami, has been making great strides in the field of higher education over the past couple of decades.

The SSUET’s faculty and staff are considered as their most imporant strategic assets and they have continued to offer a supportive environment and the opportunity to advance.

In line with their policy of striving for excellence and equipping themselves with modern systems, a high-tech photostat machine has been installed in the Public Affairs department and the inauguration was performed by Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed, Registrar, SSUET.

The officials of the SSUET’s Public Affairs department present on the occasion included Abdul Qadir Qureshi, Hamid Dakhni, Syed Iqbal Hasan Rizvi and Mohammad Aqeel.