Daily Times

SHIKARPUR: Transformation of Sukkur IBA University from a two-room accommodation to a university is no less than a miracle, performed jointly by the Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah and Sukkur IBA University Vice Chancellor Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui, observed Sukkur Chamber Of Commerce And Industry former president and a professor at Sukkur IBA University Aamir Ali Khan Ghauri. He made the remarks when welcoming the honourable guests at a dinner hosted by him in the honour of Sukkur IBA University vice chancellor, faculty members, trade and industries body and civil society.

He urged upon traders and industrialists to join hands and express their ownership to Sukkur IBA University through donating generously for the noble cause.

“Sukkur IBA University has become the pride of Sukkur and therefore we should not only feel proud of this institution, but also do whatever we could to help,” he added.

Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, lauding the untiring efforts of Professor Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui said, “We need educationists like him, because despite taking numerous measures, we still lag behind in this particular sector.”

Even today, a large number of our children are out-of-schools, which is disturbing for us, he said. He said it was his desire to see all colleges and schools of Pakistan develop like Sukkur IBA University.

He said, “it is easy to criticise, but difficult to take ownership”. We must shoulder our respective responsibilities like Professor Nisar Ahmed and his team, which is the only way to take the country to the heights of prosperity, he said. If there is a will, there always is a way, he added.

MNA Nauman Islam Shaikh in his speech urged upon the civil society, especially trade community, to take ownership of the Sukkur IBA University and donate on a regular basis, so that, more deserving and talented students can benefit from quality higher education.

Sukkur IBA University Registrar Zahid Hussain Khand, citing example of different universities of the world, said that many cities of the world are known for their universities.

Talking about Harvard University, he said it was established by John Harvard back in 1636 and now they are celebrating its 381st anniversary. John Harvard, he said, donated his library and half of his property for the establishment of the university and today it had a huge endowment fund.

Terming Professor Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui the “John Harvard” of Sukkur IBA University, he said, what we have achieved today is because of his untiring efforts and love for education. He said that they had also established an endowment fund, in case if the Sindh government or other donors stopped funding. He said the civil society and trade bodies should help them in building a sizable endowment fund.

Sukkur IBA University Vice Chancellor Professor Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui speaking as the chief guest thanked Khurshid Ahmed Shah for his support in transforming Sukkur IBA into a university and said that he alone wouldn’t have been able to do the job and it was team work that made it possible.

“At Sukkur IBA University we are offering courses to students that can help them in getting jobs. However, with changing technologies, I am afraid that many people will be rendered jobless, and therefore we are trying to cope up with the changing scenario and offering job worthy courses. Today, Sukkur IBA University has become a “STEM” university. These subjects will never go obsolete,” he said.

Earlier, Sukkur IBA University QEC Director Dr Sher Mohammad Daudpota briefed the attendees about various aspects and courses of Sukkur IBA University. Later, Khurshid Ahmed Shah and Nisar Ahmed jointly presented a souvenir to Aamir Ali Khan Ghauri.

Published in Daily Times, November 27^th 2017.