Sir Syed University celebrates Liaquat Day

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The life and achievements of Pakistan's first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan were recalled at a Liaquat Day seminar organized at Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi. 

Noted speakers paid rich tribute to the services of Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan during the Pakistan Movement and then as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion Chancellor SSUET Engr Adil Usman said that today we are living in an independent state which was achieved so that Muslims of South Asia could order their lives in accordance with the tenets of Islam.

The state in which we are living with respect and dignity was not achieved as a gift on a platter but as a result of strenuous movement steered by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and leaders like Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, he pointed out. 

He informed that Liaquat Ali Khan was a graduate of the Aligarh Muslim University and he rose into prominence within the Muslim League during the 1930s.

He was the one who persuaded Quaid-e-Azam to return to India, an event which paved the way for Pakistan movement in which Nawab Liaquat Ali Khan remained all along with Quaid-e-Azam and which culimnated into the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims of South Asia on August 14, 1947.

Chancellor Adil Usman pointed out that during his parliamentary career Liaquat Ali Khan will always adhere to his opinion even in the face of severe odds. He took active part in legislative affairs and was a part of the Muslim delegation in the national convention held in Calcutta to evaluate the Nehru Report in 1928.

Addressing the seminar renowned researcher Khawaja Razi Haider said that in response to the division of India on the basis of bi-nation theory, around 144 proposals, plans, concepts and suggestions came forward.

  

Another speaker Mehfooz-un-Nabi Khan said Liaquat Ali Khan pursued an effective foreign policy, based on national interest. He did economic wonders and controlled price-hike in Pakistan when the world faced a severe recession.

He recalled that when Liaquat Ali Khan took over as Prime Minister he had no official residence, and stayed at Haroon House.

Noted intellectual Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi described Liaquat Ali Khan as a role model for the youth and said he was a true successor of Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. 

Prominent scholar Dr Muhammad Raza Kazmi said when Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated, his mother was alive and was proud of her son’s pure character.

Renowned poet Anwar Azmi presented poetic tribute to the great leader Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, while Registrar Syed Abrar Ali presented the vote of thanks.

SSUET admission process in full swing

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, is witnessing an ever growing desire of students seeking to take admission in this university ever since the process for admissions had started with November 11 being the last date for submitting application forms and the aptitude test to be held on November 24.

Over 2,200 prospective applicants have obtained prospectus while about 2,000 had purchased model test papers. The number of candidates obtaining prospectus was estimated to be higher by about 20 to 25 percent as compared to the same period last year.

The process started for admissions in engineering disciplines of Electronics, Civil, Computer, Telecommunication and Bio-Medical besides Computer Science

The University is all set to introduce new programs of Architecture, Software Engineering and Bio-Informatics from academic year 2014.

The university is also exploring the possibility of introducing BS program at its Institute of Environment and Human Settlements. It has allocated limited seats on merit for the wards of overseas Pakistanis.

The SSUET has over 5500 students on its roll studying in the engineering disciplines of Computer, Electronics, Bio-Medical, Civil and Telecommunication besides computer science. The university is already offering post-graduate programs and at Master and Ph.D levels besides robust continuous education program in the evening.

According to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Jawaid H Rizvi, the introduction of new programs from new academic year would open up doors for those who want to enter the fields having greater potential to cope with the growing market demands.

It may be mentioned here that Higher Education Commission has granted highest W4 ranking to the University while graded as 5-star University by the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee of Sindh Government.

The ISO 9001 certified, SSUET is a member of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and International Association of Universities (IAU), UNESCO, Paris.

According to the university announcement, the admissions will be strictly on merit giving weightage to marks obtained in Matric (SSC), Intermediate (HSC) and Aptitude test.

Liaquat College of Management & Sciences achieves 100% result

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Liaquat College of Management & Sciences (LCMS), Karachi, has achieved a big landmark when their students achieved 100 percent results.

According to the results of Intermediate Board announced recently all the students of the College passed the examination and not a single student any group, Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering or Commerce, failed.

It may be pointed out here that overall results of Intermediate Board have been 52.82% in pre-medical, 46.76% in pre-engineering and 56.5% in Commerce.

Experts reckon most of diabetes related leg amputations as preventable

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Foot complications are among the most serious and costly complications of diabetes and in Pakistan about 10% of the diabetics suffer from foot problems, many of which lead to leg amputation, Prof Dr Abdul Basit, Chairman Pakistan Working Group on Diabetic Food (PWGDF), stated.

In a recent interview he disclosed that currently there are over 400,000 people with foot ulcers in the country.

He described diabetic foot a source of huge economic burden as  the direct cost of treating a diabetic foot ulcer comes to Rs 3500-61000,  which is more than 10 times the average health expenditure of a Pakistani and added that to treat all the people with foot ulcers an amount double the total health budget of Pakistan, is needed.

Prof Dr Abdul Basit said that unawareness, shortage of trained health care professionals and scarcity of foot care facilities are major causes of diabetes related leg amputations, 45-89% of which are preventable through timely and efficient foot care.

“We have been conducting nation wide training programs and have established 115 diabetic foot clinics However further 1700 such clinics are required,” he stated,

He recalled that PWGDF, in collaboration with Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, had organized a symposium on diabetic as part of efforts to create greater awareness against this serious problem.

Dr Zahid Miyan, Chairman of Organizing Committee emphasized the need to discuss the current practices in Diabetic Foot management, to provide hands-on skills.

He pointed out that the symposium organized in this regard at the end of last month, encompassed a wide horizon of diabetic foot problem, including prevention and early diagnosis, clinical & surgical management and recent advances in targeted therapies for diabetic foot.

He said over 200 health care professionals from across the country including subject specialists and eminent experts shared their diversified experience in this area.

Dr Zafar Iqbal Abbasi, Symposium Secretary, stated that the event proved a great leaning opportunity for doctors, family physicians and health care professionals.

SSUET organize World Heart Day seminar

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The future generation needs to be protected against cardiac disorders from early life by adopting heart-healthy living.

“It is threatening that the number of patients with cardiac disorder is growing rapidly and has also emerged as a prime killer among women claiming one life in three deaths,” Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi, Vice-Chancellor, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, observed while speaking at the World Heart Day seminar organized by the university’s Quality Enhancement Cell on Cardiac Health Awareness to create awareness against heart problems.

The 2013 World Heart Day highlights a life-course approach to the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and shows what actions can be taken through a person’s life to reduce the risk.

“People have a fair opportunity to prevent the future impact of heart diseases by enabling heart-healthy living from childhood throughout life,” the Vice-Chancellor emphasized

He described sedative life style in modern era as one of the major factors for heart disease and stroke adding that “if you want to live with a healthy heart, you should prevent yourself from exposure to lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet, stress and tobacco smoke etc.”

Speaking on the occasion, renowned Cardiologist Dr Kashif Shaikh pointed out heart attack at young age is more dangerous than the older age. He warned people to go to the doctor immediately if they feel chest pain. He also advised to take 300 mg dispirin in emergency before going to the doctor or hospital.

He said in diabetes risk of getting heart disease or stroke gets double informing that the LDL cholesterol can only be controlled by through exercise and the human body gets 60 % of cholesterol from diet, but 40% of it is produced by the body itself.

He extended warning against smoking pointing out that some 4200 particles in smoking are extremely poisonous to the body. He said cigar and sheesha were more dangerous than cigarettes and advised every one to go for daily 30-minute walk.

Farzana Amir Hashmi, a senior Rehabilitation consultant, focused on diet and said heart disease and stroke can be monitored and prevented through diet control. She said a house wife plays an important role in the control of heart disease and prepare food with minimum salt and oil while people should avoid using margarine cheese, butter and other oily or deep fried food.

Earlier Prof Dr M A Haleem, Chairman Biomedical Engineering Department, SSUET, welcomed the participants and guest speakers, and discussed interaction of engineering principles with biomedical sciences. He emphasized on holding of academic programs for the benefit of biomedical engineering students.

Engineering solutions to prevent road accidents discussed in SSUET seminar

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The significance of traffic and transportation engineering in ensuring road safety, was highlighted at a seminar on engineering aspects of road traffic accident organized by the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, at its campus on September 24.

In his keynote address on the occasion, Prof Mir Shabbar Ali, Chairman Urban and Infrastructure Engineering, NED University of Engineering & Technology, gave a detailed presentation and described that road traffic injury or accident was a manmade problem, which can be addressed through sound engineering solutions.

He observed that in the absence of a mass transit system in Karachi, the volume of traffic had increased manifolds and explained that people had no choice but forced to maintain their own vehicle and as a result ratio of vehicles per household has increased. Similarly, he pointed out, the number of motor cycles had also risen and more than two million were plying in the city.

He remarked that the majority of work force use low capacity mini buses in inhuman conditions with pressure on roads increasing with every passing day.

The nature of traffic was such it was hazardous for pedestrians particularly children, boys, girls, women and old persons, Prof Shabbar stated, adding that approximately 35,671 accidents occurred in the year 2012 with 1000 being fatal.

He said motorcycles and pedestrians had a combined share of 80% in road accidents and there had been an increase of 35% in accidents since last year which was a matter of great concern.

Earlier Prof Dr S M Makhdumi, Dean Engineering, who presided over the seminar introduced the topic and explained the significance of traffic and transportation engineering in ensuring road safety..

Other speakers included Eng. Abdul Qadir Bhutto, Traffic Consultant, and Malik Zaheer-ul-Islam, a former DG Mass Transit CDGK and presently an Assistant Professor at the SSUET.

Eng Abdul Qadir described his experiences of traffic engineering while Malik Zaheer emphasized upon 4 Es of traffic and transportation engineering-Engineering, Enforcement, Evaluation and Education.

At the seminar, common causes of road accidents were identified as being driving mistakes, over speeding, driving under influence of stress, tail gating with low tolerance level showing aggressive temperament on roads, distractions during driving by use of cell phones, motorcyclists avoiding helmet.

Poor lane discipline, overtaking in wrong manner and frequently changing lanes particularly by mini bus drivers and motorbikes, poor condition of road with potholes, craters, cracks on roads uneven surface, wet spillage, sharp horizontal and vertical curves and undivided roadways were identified as other causes, besides construction on footpaths with hardly any space left for pedestrians to use sidewalks.

It was observed that after closer of U-turns and construction of signal free corridors the pedestrian find difficult to cross road. Pedestrian bridges being far apart and difficult for people to cross roads like Shahrah-e-Faisal,  maintenance of pedestrian bridges also being inadequate while Zebra crossing not marked,  Traffic signs missing and road construction works carried out without proper road diversions.

The seminar was organized by Assistant Prof. Engr Asif Mohyiuddin, jointly with Assistant Prof Asif Abassi, lecturers Engr Hafiz Arsalan, Tayyaba Batool and Engr Anus.

Among others, the seminar was attended by Prof Fahim Ahsan, Assistant Prof. Khurshid Jamal, Shahid Saleem, lecturer Saleem Khan Kundi besides a large number of students.

Prof. Dr. Shabbar, Engr Asif Mohiuddin, Engr Asif Abassi and Malik Zaheer suggested a number of engineering solutions to avoid road traffic accidents like improvement in infrastructure, primary treatment of road i.e. grade separation, properly designed intersection, providing advance warning signs, functional signals detailed engineering analysis and treatment of black spots.

Dr. Shabbar recommended and called for an in-depth analysis of all traffic components and traffic safety audit. He emphasized that emerging technology in engineering aspects of road traffic must be utilized in developing road safety models and effective traffic management.

Prof Fahim Ahsan, Traffic Consultant, mentioned that road safety measures were only possible with a support program to educate people and create awareness in masses of all ages with proper publicity in print and electronic media.

SSUET participates in Advanced Quantitative Analysis workshop

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The use of predictive analytics software has made it easier to confidently predict next moves and thus help in making smarter decisions and resolve problems with improved results.

“It helps universities easily integrate statistical analysis, data and text mining and survey research instruction in the classroom,” Prof Dr. Jawaid H Rizvi, Vice-Chancellor Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, observed during the two-day online training workshop on Advanced Quantitative Analysis through SPSS and AMOS organized by Institute of Research Promotion, Lahore .

The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that innovative programmes help prepare future business leaders to encounter tough challenges using industry leading IBM technology.

IBM SPSS software enables educators to teach effectively, helps students gain critical analytical skills and supports more accurate and insightful institutional research and decision making, he added.

The workshop objective was to train the participants in how to produce various advanced level statistics according to their research needs and how to use SPSS and AMOS for producing quantitative analysis, interpreting values, applying tests and producing results in graphical modeling.

Around 40 participants of SSUET were connected to the other institutions and researchers across the country through this Webinar, HD Video Conference.

The program also focused on Interpretation and writing quantitative findings and building capacity to produce quantitative analysis through software.

Quantitative analysis has become increasingly pre-requisite to academic research, managerial reports and field analysis. Sophisticated quantitative techniques are applied to report patterns, test significance, infer statistics and present results in graphical models.

SSUET takes lead to migrate on Office 365 application of Microsoft Cloud

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has become the first academic institution of the country to migrate on Office 365 application of Microsoft Cloud, the technology now being used globally.

In this regard a ceremony was held at the SSUET in which the Office 365, the latest cloud technology of Microsoft, was formally launched by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid Hasan Rizvi.

In a detail presentation on the occasion Zafar-ul-Islam, Microsoft Technology Expert, Asia Pacific Region, stated that this facility is provided by Microsoft free of cost to academic and research institutions all over the world.

A team of SSUET networking staff had been working with Microsoft to transfer SSUET email service to Office 365.

"This has been a major undertaking that includes changes to our authentications system, grouping and training", Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jawaid Rizvi, remarked while inaugurating the services by clicking the computer button.

He acknowledged the networking and server room staff for having worked hard for a successful migration and many of them have already received training on the new cloud technology.

This is an important step towards transfer and adoption of high tech cloud technology for which direction and timeline of year 2015 have been given by Higher Education Commission (HEC) to the member public and private sector universities, he pointed out adding that SSUET is also the partner of Microsoft Software Strategic Alliance through HEC.

In his welcome address Abdul Moid Khan, System Manager SSUET, said that they had been working with Microsoft, its local and international support is available all the way in this project. By transfer of SSUET network services on Microsoft Cloud, SSUET will enter into the world of paperless environment and will enjoy following high tech facilities free of cost.

In his presentation, Zafar-ul-Islam dilated upon in detail the salient features of the technology and its applications in various academic, commercial and business fields, including Exchange online (For Emails on SSUET domain <xyz@ssuet.edu.pk>), outlook Web app (Outlook Web version) Lync online (For Video Conferencing and messaging) and  SharePoint Portal Online (Complete Document Management System)

He informed that Migration on Microsoft Office 365 is widely adapted globally, especially in academic environment, as Microsoft is providing these services free of cost to all academic institutions like Duke University, Emory University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Iowa and University of Washington chose Office 365 for education and next-generation cloud productivity services.

He said many universities in Pakistan are working on this project. However, it is a big achievement that SSUET is the first in academic sector in Pakistan with more than 7000+ accounts to adopt and transfer on Office 365 cloud.

The Associate Dean SSUET, Dr Najib Siddiqui, said that it is the latest technology adopted by SSUET and it will take this institution to new horizons providing support to imparting modern education to its students.

Zafarul Islam explained the top 10 business and technical priorities, highlighted the importance of education and said that technology play an important role in it as well as development of society and economy as a whole besides industrial skills.

On the occasion, Mr Anas Kidwai, Project Coordinator Microsoft Innovation Center, gave a presentation on Microsoft and Academia Collaboration.

WBF, BID launch project for prevention of diabetes during pregnancy

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) has launched a three-year ‘Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention and Control Program’ project in Pakistan with the collaboration of the Baqai Institute of Diabetology (BID), Karachi.

The Head of the Institute, Prof Dr. Abdul Basit, while explaining the salient features of the project said in an interview that the WBF is helping the developing countries in combating the rapidly rising epidemic of diabetes with the BID being its strategic partner in Pakistan.

“Our country has a high prevalence of diabetes while in the past years, the occurrence of high blood pressure had doubled and that of obesity tripled in the ages of 15 to 25 years, therefore even younger population, (18 years or less) is getting afflicted with Type 2 Diabetes,” he remarked.

According to him nearly 9.6 million children are overweight and obese. There is increased risk of rise in the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes, causing huge economic burden.

He said that health needs to be a priority of our policy makers and there ought to be national policies for the prevention of diabetes and it has become important to launch diabetes-related international projects in Pakistan.

Prof Dr Basit pointed out that diabetes occurring first time during pregnancy is called Gestational Diabetes. Women of south Asian origin are more likely to have Gestational Diabetes and its adverse consequences.

Over 10% of pregnancies in our population are complicated by Gestational Diabetes which creates risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease in the mother, later in the life and increased risk of developing obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes in the offspring during child hood and adolescence. 

Continuing, he said, Gestational Diabetes should be considered as an early warning sign of Type 2 Diabetes occurrence (40% - 60% risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in 5 to 15 years) and efforts should be made to prevent it through lifestyle modification strategies such as improving physical activity, reducing weight and improving diet of Pakistani women of reproductive age and the project is a major step in that direction.

On the occasion, Dr Shabeen Naz Masood said that women with uncontrolled blood sugar levels during pregnancy may have immediate adverse consequences such as deranged lipid levels, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.  

They are more prone to obstetric complications, such as abortions, preterm deliveries and Shoulder Dystocia and have greater probability of undergoing caesarian section, she said and added that offspring of women with GDM are at an increased risk of developing congenital malformations such as defects in the heart , central nervous system and musculoskeletal system, hypospadias,  polydactyl and fetal growth restriction. The birth of a large and heavy baby may cause complication during labour. The newborn may suffer from respiratory distress, jaundice or low blood sugar. Fetal mortality is also high.

Dr Musarrat Riaz, another noted Diabetic specialist, said that our ethnic predisposition to diabetes necessitates universal screening of all pregnant women for Gestational Diabetes and the simplest test is the estimation of blood sugar 2 hours after giving a drink of 75 gm glucose, at the first visit of pregnant lady to a doctor irrespective of that the patient is fasting or not. Patient education is the key to the management and medical nutrition therapy and exercise are the first steps.

If blood sugar is still not within normal limit insulin therapy is initiated. Insulin is the gold standard treatment. Blood sugar of the mother should be monitored during pregnancy and at regular intervals after delivery.

Accompanying Prof. Basit, another specialist, Dr Asmat Nawaz, informed that main objectives of this project are to create awareness in the community, to train doctors and health care professionals and to establish Gestational Diabetes screening as a regular procedure. 

He said that Public Awareness Campaign through print and electronic media would be initiated, awareness literature in Urdu and Sindhi languages would be developed, doctors, midwives and paramedics would be trained, three major Gestational Diabetes canters and 30 minor Gestational Diabetes clinics would be established and over 13000 pregnant women would b e screened.

Khumar Farooqui passes away

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Noted poet and writer, Masroor Alam Farooqui, famously known as Khumar Farooqui, passed away in Karachi after a brief illness. He was 71. He has left behind a widow, two sons and two daughters besides grandsons and granddaughters to mourn his death.

Khumar Farooqui was born at Agra, British India, in 1942. Upon migration to Pakistan, he did his MA and LL.B from Rawalpindi. He joined government service at the Federal Bureau of Statistics from where he retired as the Chief Statistical Officer.

A born poet, Khumar Farooqui joined the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, as a consultant and worked in its Literary and Cultural Forum headed by Late Brig (Rtd) Qamarussalam after whose death he became the convener of the forum.

He used to attend mushairas at national and international levels. His poetry was widely acclaimed in the poetic and literary circles. He wrote over a dozen books on various topics including autobiographies, hamd, naat, nohas and marsias.

He was compiling the history of the Aligarh Muslim University which, however, remained incomplete because of his sudden death. He also wrote his own biography and helped a large section of people in writing poetry.

At the Sir Syed University, he immensely contributed in organizing a score of literary functions and his last such function was held on the eve of the Independence Day on August 14, 2013.

Meanwhile the Chancellor SSUET, Engr Adil Usman and Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid H Rizvi, have expressed their profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Khumar Farooqui and paid homage to him for his contribution towards literary and poetic activities held at the University. They prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude to bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.