Engr Z A Nizami vows to continue Aligarh’s sporting spirit alive at SSUET

Pakistan News & Features Services
 

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) has vowed to keep the Aligarhian spirit alive by continuing the policy of promoting sports in a big way. 

Engr Z A Nizami, Chancellor, SSUET, and President, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), renewed the pledge while talking to a group of sports journalists at the University campus in Gulshan-e-Iqbal on December 10. 

Ali Zafar Khan Afridi, Joint Secretary (Sports), AMUOBA, who had secured admission in the Aligarh University in the 1940s on the basis of his all-round excellence in swimming, was also present on the occasion. 

“The legendary Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, who is credited to have played the pioneering role in enlightening the people of South Asia, laid great emphasis on education and sports. That’s why sports featured prominently in the list of priorities at the Aligarh University which he founded. The first-ever covered swimming pool of international standard in the entire region was built there,” Engr Nizami, who himself played tennis while studying at the famous Aligarh University, revealed. 

“The SSUET, founded by the AMUOBA in 1994, has been following the principles of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and the university has carried forward the Aligarhian spirit of sports among its students. We are delighted to be the largest university of the country in the private sector with more 5,000 students enrolled,” the SSUET Chancellor observed. 

“Special consideration is given to the outstanding athletes at the time of admission where the sports certificates carry certain marks. The performance in sports also helps them in getting scholarships,” Engr Nizami, who also served as the Director General of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), added. 

“We have developed sporting facilities at the ground, owned by the Karachi Hockey Association, which is just opposite our campus. We encourage and support our students to actively take part in sports and quite a few of our teams have fared well in many competitions across the country,” he elaborated. 

“We have planned even bigger things for sports in future. We have decided in principle to build a sports complex in our new campus which is to be spread over 200 acres. Besides providing facilities for indoor games at the sports complex, we will also make an athletics field and a swimming pool,” he revealed. 

“At present we have space constraints here. Otherwise we would have developed more facilities than we actually have at the moment. Since sports remains in the list of our priorities we will make amends by building infrastructure projects that would serve the generations to come,” he announced. 

“We have passion and determination to play a lead role in motivating the students to engage in healthy activities like sports. We fully understand its importance and significance,” the SSUET Chancellor said. “Among the other initiatives to be launched in the near future are instituting ‘Athlete of the Year’ award at the SSUET,” Engr Nizami concluded.

PIA acquiring new aircrafts through transparent tender process

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The immediate goal before the PIA management is to bring down the average age of its fleet and improve reliability and punctuality with on time departures and arrivals besides providing world class customer service. 

A PIA Spokesman informed the PNFS on December 6 that the airline, under the present management which barely had few weeks, has started a process of fleet modernization and revamping of its entire service to achieve turn around in shortest possible time with its new business model. 

"Already the airline has entered the operating profit during the last two months-September–October 2012,” he disclosed. 

He clarified that PIA has not finalized particular type of aircrafts, adding that tenders have been floated for acquiring five narrow body aircraft with delivery of at least four in first and the fifth one in the second quarter of 2013 so as to cope with the capacity shortfall. 

PIA has received offers for both Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-800. However, A320 offers are larger in number as compared to Boeing 737-800. Presently, these offers are being evaluated and no final decision regarding induction of either narrow-body aircraft has been finalized. 

He made it clear that the tender for these aircrafts has not yet been awarded and the evaluation process was still not complete. It is, therefore, premature to assume which aircraft or engine type will be inducted. 

“Speculative reports create undue bias for evaluators and they may not be in the best interest of the national airline,” the spokesman felt. 

He said it was for the first time in PIA’s history that their Managing Director, Mohammad Junaid Yunus, invited Transparency International Pakistan to monitor the bidding process. 

In addition to TIP, representative of the Ministry of Defence, Employees’ Unions including SAEP were also present in the financial and technical bid opening process while TIP was taken onboard during the evaluation process relating to not just this tender but in fact all future tenders would be forwarded to TIP for scrutiny. 

According to him, PIA was spending 55 percent of its revenue on fuel. Newer an aircraft provided fuel savings up to 50% for a route flown as well as lower maintenance costs. 

PIA’s 63 percent operation is on short haul routes, within four hours of flight time. 

He said PIA is following a clear point-based system where points are awarded based on fleet commonality and availability of present apparatus for overhaul of engines. 

The spokesman said that PIA would not go for one criterion, especially with the rapid advances in technology in aviation. What matters is the cost benefit analysis of these aircraft and therefore financial cost and availability of these aircraft also play an important role, he said adding that PIA cannot afford to wait years on end to suit the schedule of a particular vendor or manufacturer. 

It is pertinent to mention that any further delay in the induction of new aircraft will result in the delay of the turn around of the airline, which was noted by the Board of Directors and Government Pakistan, he concluded.

MoU for energy conservation signed between PIA and KESC

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Managing Director PIA, Mohammed Junaid Yunus has said that the airline management is committed to implement Energy Conservation Program, not due to high energy cost, but as a social responsibility for rational power use.  

He was speaking at the MoU signing ceremony between the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) for Energy Conservation held at the PIA Headquarters in Karachi on December 5.

The MoU was signed by Capt Junaid for PIA while Tabiss Gohar signed for KESC. He said that PIA’s Green Team is working for Safe Environment for future and the saving achieved will help minimize cost, time and resources.

"We are committed to protect the environment and comply with environmental laws, regulations and methods of conservation,” he remarked. Speaking on the occasion, CEO KESC Tabish Gohar described PIA a potential customer of KESC and said the power utility looks forward for strengthening the existing relationship between the two organizations.  

KESC, he assured, will fully corporate with PIA in saving energy cost through cost cutting measures. Although it may reduce KESC's revenue but saving of important resource will be of great benefit, he added.

KESC's Director Energy Conservation, Asif Siddiqi, in his remarks, pointed out that that PIA would save 30 percent in its electric bills by introducing energy conservation programme at its Head Office and Training Centre.

It may be mentioned here that PIA is currently spending about Rs 50 million a month on power consumption at its head Office and Training Centre and by implementing energy conservation plan it is expected to save around Rs.200 million annually in its electricity bills.

MD PIA Junaid Yunus explained that the PIA Green Team has worked tremendously on power conservation during the last couple of years which saved Rs 7 million in diesel consumption last year despite rising cost of diesel.

He said PIA saved another Rs 3 million in one month as compared to September 2011 by rationalizing office timings.

He assured KESC of full cooperation during Energy Audits and also for technical collaboration in matters of energy and environment conservation. 

Final Semester exams get underway at Sir Syed University

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The final semester examinations of Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, have commenced here November 28. 

“The exams are being held under complete peaceful atmosphere”, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawed Rizvi, informed Chancellor Engr Z A Nizami during his surprise visit to various examination rooms to personally review the conduct of examination. 

Some 1541 out of 1711 registered students are appearing in the final semester exams being held simultaneously along with second, fourth and sixth semesters in Computer, Electronics, Civil, Bio-Medical, Telecommunication engineering and Computer Science. 

As far as the break-up is concerned, 318 are appearing in Computer Engineering, 350 in Electronics, 141 in Telecom, 366 in Civil, 126 in Bio-Medical engineering and 240 in Computer Science. 

Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed briefed to the Chancellor that the examinations will conclude on December 11 to be followed supplementary examination due to start from December 13. 

The Vice-Chancellor confirmed that the classes in the New Year will start from January 7, 2013 following holding of ‘Orientation Day’ the same day. 

He said that the arrangements have also started for holding of ‘Convocation 2013’ to award degrees to passing out students. 

It would be the 16th Convocation since the SSUET came into being as a private sector engineering university in 1994. 

Currently the University has over 5000 students on roll including over 600 girls studying in various engineering disciplines. The University has been granted the highest “W4” Category by Higher Education Commission and also registered as 5-Star University by the Sindh Government’s Charter Evaluation Committee.

Indian Aligarhian visits SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Z A Nizami has reckoned that having achieved commendable success in developing information and communication technology, the university has emerged as a modern educational technology hub contributing significantly to both knowledge acquisition and innovation. 

He made these remarks while speaking at a reception held in the honour of senior Aligarian Rifaqat Ali Khan from India during a visit to SSUET on November 27. 

The SSUET Chancellor remarked that the new initiatives taken at the university had provided a boost to creative and research potential and the innovative measures taken towards this direction infused a new spirit of confidence in the academic and administrative work culture here. 

Recalling the memories at the Aligarh Muslim University, Chancellor Nizami said that he had spent a very eventful and productive life there and spoke about some of the episodes of activities. 

Speaking on the occasion, the senior Aligarian, Rifaqat Ali Khan, observed that establishment of the Sir Syed University was a historical initiative that proved to be a milestone in the educational development of the nation.

 He said that existence without education for a nation, particularly in the present era, is not possible and will serve just as a dream, adding that time has come to catch up with changes fast taking place globally and assign top priority to education. 

Rifaqat Ali Khan asserted that torch-bearers of the Aligarh spirit have a sacred responsibility of promoting education without discrimination in every walk of life. 

The Aligarian from India did Masters and PhD in History from the Muslim University before joining Jamia Milia where he retired as Head of Department of History. 

His wife is also an Aligarian who did Masters in English from Aligarh University. Later she joined the Dehli University and retired as Professor of English from the university. 

Earlier the SSUET Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawed Rizvi, welcomed the distinguished visitor and informed that Sir Syed University, which started with only 200 students in 1994, today has more than 5000 students on roll. “The university focus remains on quality education and try to improve it,” he emphasized.

SSUET’s final semester exams commence on November 28

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The final semester examination at the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, will commence from November 28 and go on till December 11. 

This was confirmed the other day at a review meeting convened by the Chancellor SSUET, Engr Z.A. Nizami. 

The meeting was attended, among others, by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Javed Rizvi, and Registrar, Shah Mahmood Hussain, besides Director Finance and two Additional Registrars. 

It was informed that after a gap of a couple of days, the supplementary examination will start from December 13. 

The meeting was told that the admission process was going on and the interviews of candidates who qualified for admission in test held earlier on November 18 at Expo Center was in progress and will be completed later in the week where after lists of successful candidates will be finalized and later displayed on notice boards besides being posted on the university’s website. 

The Vice-Chancellor reported that the ‘Orientation Day’ will be held on January 7, 2013, which will be followed by holding of regular academic session. 

He said that the arrangements have also been started for University’s Convocation 2013 scheduled to be organized on March 2. 

The Chancellor also reviewed the calendar of activities and directed that it should be strictly followed as per laid down schedule of events.

Sri Lankan delegation visit SSUET; discuss bilateral cooperation in academic sector

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A eight-member Sri Lankan delegation, headed by Chairman, Puttalam Urban Council and also including Minister of Health, Indigenous Medicine, Sports & Youth Affairs, North Western Province recently visited Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, and exchanged matters of bilateral cooperation in the field of education. 

The delegation comprised K A Baiz, Mayor of Puttalam, Chief Government Organizer for Puttalam Electorate, N T M Thahir, Member of North Western Provincial Government, A M Kamardeen, Member of North Western Provincial Government, R A S Pushpakumara, Deputy Mayor of Puttalam, A O Alikhan, Opposition Leader for Puttalam, M T N Ameen, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Party Member for Puttalam Urban Council and W.M.M.B Weerasakara, Commissioner of Local Government and Representative of Governor of NWP. 

The Mayor of Puttalam and Chief Government Organizer for Puttalam Electorate, K A Baiz, stated that efforts were being made to improve bilateral cooperation in academic sector, for which vast potential existed between two countries. 

“We are planning to have interactive sessions with the officials of Sir Syed University to open its campus in Sri Lanka,” he added. 

Baiz appreciated the University’s role in helping the students in acquiring knowledge in modern technologies through highly competent and capable faculty and state of the art equipment. 

He was highly impressed with the presentation given by Prof. Shahid Saleem providing complete information about Sir Syed University with the help of statistics. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Abdul Baiz emphasized the need to explore new avenues of bilateral economic and commercial cooperation. He was of the view that Puttalam Urban Council can join hands with SSUET in areas of mutual cooperation in the field of education. 

He informed that earlier there were only state universities in Sri Lanka as the government didn’t allow universities in private sector in the past. But now with a change in the policy, the government was considering to grant permission for opening campus of foreign universities in Sri Lanka. 

The SSUET Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Syed Jawaid Hassan Rizvi, Registrar Shah Mahmood Syed, Dean Engineering Prof Dr S.M Makhdumi, Prof Dr M A Haleem, Dr Faisal Bukhari, Dr Imran Beg and other faculty members were also present on the occasion.

PIA adjudged Best Hajj Airline Operator for third year running

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia, has declared the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as the best airline operator amongst the 74 international Airlines operating from Hajj terminal, flying more than 1.7 million Hajjis in 2012. 

The PIA spokesman, Syed Sultan Hasan presented the copies of the certification of 25 Zilhajj 1433H (November 10, 2012) mentioning PIA as the Best Hajj Airline Operator to a Pakistan media team visiting Saudi Arabia at Madinah. 

The GACA, in the certificate issued to PIA, has noted that they closely monitored the activities of all the airlines’ operating from Hajj terminal Jeddah and considered that PIA again proved itself the best operator on the basis of regularity as well as services provided. 

The GACA further said that PIA demonstrated exceptional value by overcoming the delay factor of departures during the initial two days of Post Hajj operation. 

This is the third consecutive year starting from 2010 that PIA has been chosen by the Saudi Arabia Civil Aviation as the best Hajj flight operator. 

The testimonial from the GACA should further motivate PIA would in order to continue serving the Hajjis with even greater devotion in the years to come.

Glowing tributes paid to Allama Iqbal at SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The life and achievements of great philosopher and poet, Dr Allama Mohammed Iqbal, were highlighted at a Iqbal Day function held at the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, on November 9, his 135th birth anniversary. 

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion the Chancellor SSUET, Engr Z A Nizami, declared that Dr Mohammed Iqbal was a great poet, thinker and philosopher at the same time who devoted his poetry for the renaissance of Islam and whose concept later turned as the basis for ideology of Pakistan. 

He remarked that Iqbal's foremost book Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam was intended to secure a vision of the spirit of Islam and he encouraged Muslims to embrace ideals of brotherhood, justice, and service. 

“Through his poetry he tried to free the Muslim’s mind from the prevailing colonial mentality and own narrow self-interests,” Chancellor Nizami added. 

Renowned scholar Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi said that in his poetry Iqbal focussed on love (Ishq) and described it as a great power that brings one closer to Allah. 

Senior Aligarhian and columnist Saeed Siddiqui, another senior Aligarian, Ali Zafar Khan Afridi, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the monumental role which Iqbal's poetry played in the movement for Pakistan. 

The students of the SSUET, Umar Khan Ufaq and Umar Ali Kazmi, while delivering their speeches on Dr Iqbal called for following his philosophy for the growth and success of the nation. 

Khumar Farooqui, a noted poet and Incharge SSUET’s Literary and Culture Forum, paid poetic tribute to Allama Iqbal. 

SSUET to bring out alumni directory of women graduates

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, is set to become the country’s first university to prepare a directory exclusively of its women alumni.

The directory has been compiled by the university’s Girls Affairs Committee which has collected the data of SSUET’s women graduates since their first batch passed out in 1998 and the last batch passed out in 2008.

The SSUET Chancellor, Engr Z A Nizami, was briefed about the progress of the preparation of the directory at a meeting held at his chamber on November 7. The meeting was attended, among others, by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawed H. Rizvi, Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed besides officials of examination and other departments.

The Incharge Girls Affairs Committee, Mrs Attiya Abid, informed the meeting that some 1234 female students passed out from the SSUET during the period 1998-2008 and as of the current position some 682 as against 500 last year, who were studying in various engineering disciplines.

These girls form a big chunk of 6194 students studying in seven various engineering disciplines at this university.

The Chancellor was informed that Girls Affairs Committee is responsible to look after the day to day problems of the female students including activities of their five common rooms.

Chancellor Engr Nizami directed that any problem, if pinpointed by girls, should be solved immediately on priority. He instructed that social activities by girls should be promoted and 3-month programmes be chalked out for this purpose.

He assured that the university will provide every assistance in providing due facilities to girls under-going education engineering studies.

The Chancellor was informed that a programme is being prepared in relation to health of girls’ health.

Engr Nizami directed the committee to chalk out an extensive program that may produce visible impact in relation to activities of girls at the campus and hectic activities be generated thereof.

He advised that a report be submitted to him for up gradation and refurbishment of girls’ canteen and common rooms.