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.

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 16^th 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.

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.

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 16^thConvocation 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.

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.”

SSUET Board of Governors appreciative of Convocation practice

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Board of Governors of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, met on March 25 under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid Hasan Rizvi.

In its 44^th meeting, the Board granted the formal approval to the program of SSUET’s 16^th Convocation scheduled to be held on March 26 at the Karachi Expo Center to be presided over by Chief Justice of Sindh High Court, Justice Mushir Alam.

The Board appreciated the University for holding its convocations regularly every year, considering it a worthy tradition.

The Board approved the minutes of its 43^rd meeting which was held on October 20, 2012 and reviewed the action taken on the minutes of the meeting.

The Board also considered and approved the Audit Report/Financial Statement for the fiscal year having ended on June 30, 2012.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Board members including Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Lt. Gen. (R) Moinuddin Haider, Prof Dr M.D. Shami, Engr. Mohammed Adil Usman, Cdre. (R) Salim A. Siddiqui and Dean Basic and Applied Sciences besides Registrar Shah Mahmood H Syed.

SSUET to continue its role towards promotion of education: Chancellor Nizami

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

“The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) has  achieved a significant place among the top institutions due to the excellence in teaching domain and its students, after getting equipped with knowledge and skills, are serving in the national and international institutions with devotion and dedication.”

This was stated by Engr Z A Nizami, Chancellor, SSUET, in an interview prior to the university’s 16^th convocation scheduled to held on March 26 in which Chief Justice of the Sind High Court, Justice Mushir Alam will be the chief guest.

Over 1000 graduates, besides those having done masters, in the disciplines of computer, electronics, civil, teleom and bio-medical engineering will be receiving degrees in their respective engineering disciplines at the convocation.

Pointing out that the outgoing students will embark upon a new phase of life as they are at the threshold of practical life the Chancellor wished all of them a glorious career.

He stated that holding of convocations has been a permanent feature since 1998. “Our convocations have the honour of having been graced by the presence of Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors and other dignitaries of the country,” Engr Z A Nizami recalled.

      

“The SSUET has been imparting quality education in the most modern disciplines, which are constantly revolutionizing the human life and adoring it with beauty comfort and ease. The intake of the university has steadily increased from 200 students to the present strength of more than 6,000 students,” he added.

“We have a galaxy of 490 intellectuals in the form of our faculty. Their guidance and extensive knowledge are real strength of this university. The functionaries of the university, with their professional performance, are also playing commendable role in managing its affairs,” he remarked.

“We are fully aware of the highly dynamic global markets, where employers require intelligent dynamic and enthusiastic engineering graduates. This calls us for a role that helps equip the students with knowledge and skills that are commensurate with the demand of the job markets.  The university has already incorporated the modification in teaching methodology that addresses the new demands. This is evident from the employment record of our graduates,” the Chancellor reckoned.

The convocation, he continued, has a significant feature in the sense that the outgoing graduates of the university carry a sense of achievement and fulfillment as they depart from their Alma Mater and it marks the completion of an important phase in their academic life.

He said despite being a technical institution, the university is fully alive to the importance of Islamic teachings.

“The Islamic studies are part of our syllabi. Besides, the Islamic character of the university dominates in its every function. Our Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) had been emphasizing the significance of education. He had advised the Muslims to acquire knowledge from cradle to grave. We impress upon the mind of our students the importance of knowledge in the light of this saying of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” he added.    

He said that the SSUET strives to discover and disseminate knowledge and to produce young graduates of high caliber, who are able to run the wheels of the country to an enviable destination, through the innovative and modern techniques of teaching.

“In this regard the SSUET has already opened up new avenues and vistas of development in the field of higher education,” the Chancellor believed.

This convocation, he said, has a special significance for all and particularly for the graduating batch, it marks the completion of an important phase and as they enter the next phase, they will look back and feel that the years spent at the SSUET were the best years of their lives.

Chancellor Nizami informed that the SSUET has been offering master programme in the fields of electronics engineering with specializations in telecommunication since 2000, in computer engineering with specializations in computer networking and software engineering since 2001, in civil engineering with specialization in structural engineering started in 2009, ms in biomedical engineering was added in 2009, ms in mathematics was introduced in 2009, ms in computer science was started 2009.

The university, since the commencement of the MS programme, admitted in total 675 students out of which 209 have passed their MS while the SSUET has also been offering Phd programme in computer engineering and electronic engineering disciplines since 2005.

Replying a question the Chancellor pointed out that SSUET is a completely self-reliant institute of learning. The university is recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan while all engineering degree programmes of the university are accredited by the Pakistan Engineering Council.

He mentioned that the SSUET is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and also a member of UNESCO sponsored International Association of Universities.

“The SSUET graduates have been accepted into postgraduate programmes in many reputable universities of the world including Imperial College UK, California State University, USA, Dalhousie University, Canada, and University of Florida, USA. The university has strong links with the local and international industry leaders. These include our programmes of collaboration with siemens, CISCO systems USA, Lockheed Martin, USA, and many other universities,” he revealed 

Chancellor Nizami recalled that the SSUET attained another milestone by getting the prestigious ISO 9001:2013 certification for quality management.

He said to provide the opportunities for delivery of academic programmes in partnership with leading foreign universities that lead to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, MoUs have been signed after the course-matching exercise with Coventry University UK, Hertfordshire University UK and London Metropolitan University UK.

The MoUs provided the facilities of advance entry of our university students into degree courses with credit transfer facilities involving first 2 years study at the SSUET and subsequent two years in UK, first six months class work for MS students in UK and subsequent six months for preparation of thesis/projects in the SSUET under the local supervisors and staff exchange and collaborative research projects.

The Chancellor said that the recently chartered inspection and evaluation committee has placed SSUET in “five-star” category which was another feather in their cap.

To a question Engr Nizami said that he believes that no deserving student be deprived of education due to financial hardship and in this regard the university is very liberal in awarding scholarships to deserving students. Since its inception, the university has awarded more than 13,906 scholarships amounting to Rs 237 million while during the current fiscal year, Rs 45 million allocated for scholarships.

He also spoke at length about the university’s central library having over 75,000 books on latest research and applied engineering and modern engineering, a motivating career planning and placement bureau to guide the students to get suitable job after graduation.

He said the HEC after a thorough evaluation of the working, progress and achievements, holds a very positive view about the university having awarded the SSUET the highest category while being regarded very highly in academic circles as well as the corporate community.

“The most pivotal decision of our life is selection of right career. When the choice of career is to be an engineer than a center of excellence in engineering education is the SSUET known nationally and internationally for its outstanding educational facilities,” he opined.

Engr Nizami emphasized adding that promotion of research culture was always an objective of a university and the SSUET was successfully moving in that direction.

He said that the university faculty members are engaged proactively in research work which has been published in the prestigious journals of international repute.

“We believe, without strict adherence to the parameters of quality education, remarkable progress cannot be achieved. Besides academic activities, the university has shown outstanding performance in extra curricular activities like declamation contests, sports etc and won coveted awards,” he concluded.