Chancellor Nizami opens exhibition for special children at SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET, Karachi, Engr Z.A. Nizami has said that our society will have to adopt a positive attitude towards special children.

“They are not a burden on the society and rather our support to them in winning Allah’s blessings”, he emphasized while inaugurating a painting exhibition on special children. The exhibition was organized by Cane Social Welfare Cultural & Literary Organization in collaboration with Sir Syed University.

Engr Nizami said it is our collective responsibility to to take full care of special children and rehabilitate them through education and necessary training.

He announced to start free computer classes for special children at the University and ensured to give jobs to them after training.

He paid tributes to those parents who groom their special children for making them useful members of the society and also praised the persons and institutions working towards their cause.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rehana Ali Shah, a renowned Orthopedic Surgeon, while referring to the paintings and art work of special children on display, said she was amazed to see their potential and creative abilities. 

“It is surprising that we being a normal and healthy person raise a hell with complaints but these special children despite their deficiencies live with no grievances”.

On the occasion she announced to provide free orthopedic treatment and facilities to special children.

Earlier children presented national songs and folk dance and drew big applause from the participants in response. 

Later, Chancellor Z.A. Nizami took a visit to the paintings of special children and appreciated their skill and craft.

Effective measures help increase revenue of Railways' Karachi Division

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

Despite ongoing resource constraints, Pakistan Railway Karachi Division, succeeded in making a leap forward with an increase in its revenue income during the months of March and April. 

The Division earned a revenue income of Rs 9 million per day in passenger sector only during these two months, an increase of Rs 2 million per day as compared to revenue generated during January 2012. 

According to Divisional Superintendent Railway, Anzer Ismail Rizvi, Karachi Division earned a revenue income of Rs 550 million during the two months under review. 

"The revenue increase was achieved mainly because of strict vigilance and monitoring against ticket less traveling,” the DS Railway stated. He said that black marketing of tickets has also been effectively controlled with passengers being facilitated in reservation of seats in various upcountry bound trains. 

He said effective measures were also taken to ensure that passenger could board a train without valid traveling document at entry points of three major stations of Karachi, Cantonment and Hyderabad Railway stations. 

Anzer Rizvi pointed out that speed restrictions at various points have been made normal by about 40 kilometers between Karachi and Tando Adam as a result of which the punctuality of trains have improved and now the trains were running at normal speed of maximum 105. 

He said that an additional train service has been started between Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas, restoring a previously closed service. This service was closed after railway sources started depleting. 

The restoration of service has greatly facilitated the commuters between Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas. Meanwhile the Divisional authorities also restored the Lower AC coach service between Karachi and Sukkur on alternate day for which power generating unit was arranged through local resources. 

The DS Railway informed that a schedule of repair of 28 locomotives out of 111 allotted to Karachi Railway Division has been prepared whereby four locomotives will be repaired and brought on track every month from January 2013. 

However, he said it will depend on arrival of spare parts either imported or made available locally. To a question, he said, that freight trains, which are a main source of revenue, have again been made operative with an average one train per day with containerized goods for Premnagar dry port and Furnace oil for Lal Pir Power station. He said that efforts were underway to run two freight trains daily from Karachi within a fortnight. 

Chancellor Nizami rewards SSUET cricketers

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

The Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Engr Z A Nizami, has renewed the pledge that all the talented sports persons will be supported and patronised by the institution in order to breed healthy competition in the society. 

He was speaking at a reception in the honour of the SSUET cricket team which finished runners-up in the recently held Red Bull Tri-nation Cricket Championship in Sri Lanka besides having clinched the national Inter-Varsities title. 

The SSUET had qualified for the Sri Lankan event by winning the National Inter-Varsities championship. 

“We would like our students to excel in the fields of education as well as sports. We facilitate them to let them display their talent in extra-curricular activities,” Engr Nizami remarked in his brief speech. 

Former Test cricketer, Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu, who was the chief guest in the ceremony, observed that the outstanding athletes should be provided special assistance and facilities to pursue their education while unfolding their talents in the field of sports. 

“The students should also pay due attention to their studies in order to succeed in their future life. The curriculum should be designed in such a manner that allowed them sufficient time in the playgrounds,” Salahuddin, who has also been chairman of the national selection committee, urged. 

He lauded the role of the SSUET, named after the visionary leader Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, in promoting sports alongwith education and congratulated their team for the good show in the Saarc event and for winning the national Inter-Varsities title. 

“It’s a collective responsibility to have a kind of environment where we could produce dashing students, active athletes and above all good human beings,” he added. Chancellor Nizami and Salahuddin later distributed certificates of financial assistance among the members of the winning team. 

Shah Hasan Atta’s Maqamat-e-Dil launched at SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Z A Nizami, has renewed the commitment to continue supporting the cause of promotion of Urdu language and its literature.

He stated this while speaking as the chief guest at the launching ceremony of Shah Hasan Atta’s book titled “Maqamat-e-Dil” which was held under the SSUET at its spacious Bashir A Malik Auditorium. 

The graceful ceremony was largely attended by noted writers, scholars and other eminent literary personalities.

The Chancellor pointed out that despite the fact that the SSUET is an engineering institution, it has published around 200 books on general subjects that showed the dedication and commitment to the cause of Urdu language.

“I personally feel that it is too difficult to preserve events and memories with complete truth and accuracy, yet Shah Hassan Atta wrote a book that is a valuable addition to the work of literature,” Engr Z A Nizami complimented.

He paid glowing tributes to the outstanding works of Shah Hassan Atta and announced to bring out his biography soon and also to print his unpublished works.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Sehar Ansari, an eminent poet, said that author Shah Hassan Atta has left indelible marks in the period when every other person was a giant. He had deep studies and knowledge. He was the first Secretary of the students’ union at Aligarh Muslim University and later became the Vice President of students’ union. 

Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, a noted writer and critic, described Shah Hassan Atta was a fabulous writer whose focus was much more on spirituality and Sufism.

Senior Aligarian Saeed Siddiqui and Shah Umar Atta, author’s son, also spoke on the occasion, appreciating the SSUET’s gesture of encouraging scholastic works for the promotion of Urdu, the national language of Pakistan.

Engineering & IT Fair 2012 held at Aligarh Institute of Technology

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Engr Z A Nizami, has observed that technical education provides a boost to the economic advancement and plays a significant role in the national human resource development creating skilled manpower, enhancing industrial productivity and improving the quality of life in general. 

He was speaking as chief guest at the 6th Engineering & IT Fair 2012 organized by the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) at their campus in Karachi.

Appreciating the exhibits on display, Chancellor Nizami highly complimented the efforts of the students who, he reckoned, are producing best results in their respective fields of studies and applying practical use of their knowledge in a true sense. 

Speaking on the occasion, Convener AIT, and Vice-President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys' Association (AMUOBA), Engr. Muhammad Adil Usman, called upon the students to continuously keep themselves updated with latest information and knowledge in the area of learning to help compete in the market and industry. 

The Engineering & IT Fair is an annual event organized by AIT and its basic purpose is to provide Students of BS (Compter Science) and students of diploma programme a platform to showcase their talents.

He described the projects on display as innovative and motivational and believed that these would enhance the employability skill of the students. He announced that the AIT will soon be introducing a new technology - Bio-informative technology. 

The 6th Engineering & IT Fair attracted a very large number of visitors and proved to be a commendable venture of projects on displa, highlighting the interplay of academics, business and technology. 

Around more than 300 projects were on display at the fair. Guests from various universities, institutes and technocrats from industries also visited the fair to act as judges for the competition.

Later prizes were distributed among the top three winners in seven categories. Chancellor Z A Nizami gaveaway the prizes to the students of Computer Science and Electronic departments. 

The projects Shopping Cart System of Computer Science department and Digital Clock by using seven segment display of Electronic department secured first prizes in the competition. 

I A Usmani, and Convenor AIT, Muhammad Adil Usman, also presented prizes to the winning students.

GM Railways visits loco shed

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The General Manager Pakistan Railways, Junaid Qureshi, paid a detailed visit to Locomotive workshop at Karachi cantonment Station and reviewed the availability of locomotives.

He was accompanied by Chief Mechanical Engineer, Mubinuddin and other Principal Officers from Railway headquarter Lahore and Divisional Superintendent Anzar Ismail Rizvi. During visit, he found 28 out of a total of 111 locomotives allocated for Karachi Railway Division, out of order.

On arrival at Loco shed, Junaid Qureshi was warmly welcomed by workers who assured him of their full cooperation in his efforts for revival of railway’s glory. He also discussed with the workers their problems and assured to solve them within the available resources.

He noticed that these locomotives can be repaired at the very loco shed and ordered immediate transportation of necessary parts from Rawalpindi to Karachi.

After taking over as General Manager earlier this month, Junaid Qureshi has started a series of visits to various railway divisions to review their working and performance in a bid to bring improvement in the railway operations.

He started his visits to these Divisions with first visit to Karachi Division during which he held meetings with the officials, staff and railway unions. He has planned similar review visits of Sukkur Division and Multan Division during the next few days.

The GM has decided that he will always travel by train to have an indepth study of railway installations, infrastructure facilities as well operational problems.

Junaid Qureshi has vowed to take Pakistan Railways to another level by mobilizing all the resources at their disposal.

HEC grants highest “W4” category to SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has made a big leap forward with the grant of highest “W-4” category by Higher Education Commission.

This highest category of HEC was granted consequent upon the Inspection of this university by a HEC Committee on January 24, 2012.

Based on the information provided on Quantitative Assessment Form (QAF) and recommendation by the Committee, the Chairman HEC approved the categorization of the University in Category “W4”.

Earlier in 2008, the SSUET was granted the then highest “W” Category for fulfilling the HEC’s criteria.

It may be pointed out that earlier the categories designed by HEC were A, B, C and D which at a later stage got transformed into W, X, Y, and Z categories with “W” being the highest. Of late the HEC further transformed this categorization as W1, W2, W3 and W4 with “W5” being the highest.

It may be mentioned here that SSUET was established in 1994 under an Act passed by Sindh Assembly and was granted Charter by the Governor in 1995.

In 1994, the University had started with only 200 students admitted to the disciplines of Computer and Electronics Engineering and Computer Science and subsequently new disciplines of Bio-Medical, Civil and Telecommunication engineering were added. Today SSUET has over 5000 students on its roll.

Junaid Qureshi commits to bring improvement in the railway working

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The newly appointed General Manager Pakistan Railways, Junaid Qureshi, has stated that railway’s 60 percent problems can be resolved by overcoming mismanagement while the remaining 40 percent relate to financial implications.

He made the observation while talking to media after chairing meetings with Divisional officers and office-bearers of various workers’ unions in the office of Divisional Superintendent Railways.

Besides some Principal Officers from Railway headquarter Lahore, who accompanied the General Manaer during his maiden visit to Karachi, the meeting was also attended by Divisional Superintendent Anzar Ismail Rizvi.

Junaid Qureshi said he told the officials to spare no effort in resolving the related problems which they can do at their own level 

In this regard, he said, he issued various directives to them and hopefully these would result in bringing improvement in the railway’s working including control on late running of trains which emanate from Karachi.

He said that plans were underway to restart the freight trains on priority basis, which in real term are the real revenue backbone of the railway.

“Railway certainly suffered a revenue setback with the closure of freight operation”, he observed and pointed out that Karachi Railway Division has only 89 working locomotives out of a total strength of 111.

He said that he will be visiting the loco shed at Cantonment railway station on Tuesday to assess the possibilities for repair of defective locomotives and for this purpose the railway will release necessary funds as well.

He said that railway will start operation of two freight trains from Karachi from next week

To a question, the GM Railways informed that talks were in final stages for obtaining Rs 6 billion commercial loan from National Bank of Pakistan. He said this amount will be spent on the repair of 80 locomotives and will be repaid from the income generating from freight and other operational trains.

Junaid Qureshi informed that international tenders have been floated for purchase of 150 locomotives. He said the tenders will be opened in June.

Replying a question, the GM said that railway is going to run six more trains on public-private participation during the next 30 or 45 days.

He told a questioner that for the present the railway’s revenue was 30 percent below the target. But the situation will improve by next month when freight trains will be operational.

Meanwhile, the General Manager railway has under taken a visit to various railway divisions starting with Karachi Division He will be visiting Sukkur Railway Division on Tuesday and Wednesday and Multan Railway Division next week.

Junaid Qureshi said he is taking a team of senior officers along with him for resolving various issues on the spot.

He said he himself will under take journey to various destination on trains and has issued same directives to his officers to follow his suit in an effort to bring improvement in the railway’s working.

Sir Syed University to hold Grandparents Day

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, will hold a unique get-together of grandparents of its passed out graduates of Batch 2008.

The objective of holding this innovative get together is to pay tributes to them and to celebrate the passing out of their rand children as engineers in various engineering disciplines.

The decision to hold this function during first week of June 2012 was approved by Chancellor Z A Nizami at a meeting with the Girls Affairs Committee.

He was informed that an estimated 3000 grand parents accompanied by their grand sons and daughters would be attending the function to be held at the University’s spacious Convocation ground.

The Chancellor observed that SSUET will be the first university to organize such a marvelous gathering of grandparents.

While discussing the issues, Ms Attiya Abid, Chairperson of Girls Affairs Committee informed that the Committee has compiled the data exclusively of female students who passed out from this university since its first convocation held in 1998.

Chancellor Nizami setup a committee to review the authenticity of the data for its finalization and publication with the directive to complete the task within one week.

Upon the request of the Committee, the Chancellor ordered upgradation of four common rooms for girls with provision of essential facilities and asked the Director P&D to survey the common rooms and assess the facilities that were needed for provision.

It was informed that as against 14 female students of the first batch, some 650 female students will be passing out in 2013.

Chancellor Nizami pointed out that it is a mater of an honor for this university that one of its students Late Arfa Karim was crowned with International Microsoft Certification award.

The meeting was attended, among others, by acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Najeeb and Registrar Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed.

Rtn Nasreen Masood highlights Rotary’s objectives in Radio interview

The President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Karachi Airport (RCKA), Rtn Nasreen Masood, was interviewed by Bushra Noor Khawaja in the popular ‘Prime Time Hour’ by Radio Pakistan on April 27. It was broadcast live on FM 93 as well.

It was a lively one-hour informative session, conducted by a seasoned campaigner, which was made even more entertaining by punctuating it with quite a few popular songs.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Would you like to share with our listeners when did you start your career as a social worker?

A: It was more than a decade ago when I got engaged in social work. I am one of the founding members of Rotary Club of Karachi Airport (RCKA) which was chartered in 2008. I was elected unopposed as its President last year.

Q: Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’ is truly inspirational. How do you meet the challenge?

A: Rotary International is one of the top voluntary organizations of the world. We have a proper system in place. We act in accordance with our bye-laws. We hold weekly meetings of our club which help considerably in letting us accomplish our goals.

Q: How do you work on your projects?

A: In our weekly meetings we deliberate on the various aspects of the projects to be undertaken. Every member is provided the opportunity and encouraged to play his or her part. It can be in terms of cash or kind. All of us are volunteers. We devote our time and energies. Our Board finalizes the finer details and then the members are assigned tasks in light of commitments they make. The progress of the projects is monitored in our meetings. We work on short-term as well as long-term projects.

Q: How do you motivate your members?

A: Mostly the Rotarians are committed people. We, the resourceful ones, understand our responsibilities to the community and we try to contribute as much as we could to help those who deserve it.

Q: How do you reach the needy people?

A: We just need to keep our eyes and ears open while commuting. Day in and day out we come across people who need our support. We are flooded with requests for help at times. After proper verification we extend them as much support as we could by pooling our resources.

Q: What are the responsibilities of Rotary President?

A: Every Rotarian has a responsibility. The President is just the captain of the team for a term of one year. Our elections are held every year. The President tries to lead by example to let the others take the cue and perform more actively. In my opinion election to the post of the President its an incentive to work harder and create more resources.

Q: Which project has given you the highest satisfaction?

A: It was setting up a dispensary in Sector 11-D of North Karachi. While driving there, I had noticed an elderly man standing between lots of kids in front of a gate. As I drew closer it was discovered that the gentleman was Rahmat Bhai who was providing education free of cost to the area children at his own house.

We sent our club officials there to extract more details and then our meeting was arranged with him. He desired operating a dispensary in the portion of his house and sought our assistance to facilitate free medicine and consultation to the area people, who couldn’t afford costs. We readily agreed. We collected medicines and then persuaded a qualified doctor to work two hours daily on voluntary basis. The dispensary is still running and it gives me enormous satisfaction.

Q: What are your cherished goals now?

A: The eradication of polio is on top of the list of our priorities at the moment. Rotary’s National Polio Plus Committee, headed by our dynamic former Governor Aziz Memon, has been trying its level best to eradicate this deadly disease from Pakistan. On our part we are convincing the mothers to take the responsibility of saving their children. No mother wants her kid to be affected by polio. She has to be explained and made responsible. They have to be taught that it would be a criminal negligence to deprive their children of the polio drops that are being provided at their doorstep.  

Q: Who inspired you to take to social work?

A: I have been thoroughly impressed with the spirit and passion of Abdul Sattar Edhi. I always wondered how he worked so selflessly and so effectively round the clock. He was been there everywhere. He takes care of the elderly parents who are deserted by their own children. Similarly he adopts the kids who are abandoned by their parents. It’s quite astonishing how he manages to do so much of work. I am a greater admirer of his. I know that I can’t be like him but I derive inspiration from his acts and try to contribute my bit.

Q: Do you get any time for recreation?

A: To be honest I don’t get much spare but I listen to music whenever possible.

Q: Who are your favourite singers?

A: Noor Jahan and Mohammad Rafi.

Q: What kind of songs you prefer to listen?

A: I am fond of ghazals. I have liked slow songs from beginning.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: My husband is a mechanical engineer, who secured gold medal at the NED University. He has been working abroad a multinational for the last few years. Both my sons are also engineers, with the elder one having got married just recently.

Q: What kind of mother you have turned out to be?

A: Well I have never compromised on discipline. I didn’t allow my sons to go out once they were back from school with the focus being on studies. I taught them to ignore the mistakes of others and not to get provoked. Both my sons are greatly indebted to me now for having being strict when they were not in a position to find out themselves what was good for them and what was not.

Q: What’s your message to our listeners? A: I will urge the people not to lose hope. You must remain positive and your face should be glowing. Nobody leads an ideal life. The hardships are to be faced with courage. Don’t lose heart when things don’t go your way. Continue working hard because there are no short-cuts to success. If you wish to bring about a change in your lives you must work hard.