SSUET hailed for making fast strides in engineering education

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has been progressing at fast pace because of its highest quality of education and best possible facilities available to its students.

This was stated by the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) and the Chancellor of the SSUET, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, while addressing the Annual General Body of the AMUOBA held in Karachi.

He described the introduction of three new programmes of Architecture, Software Engineering and Bio Informatics from the 2014 academic session as a living example of the development and success of the university.

He said that since its inception, the university not only focused on providing best and most modern education but also produced a large number of engineers who have demonstrated their talent and skill not only in Pakistan but world over.

Engr Adil Usman pointed out that a major character of this university is that no student is deprived from acquisition of education merely because of financial constraints  but poor and deserving students are financially assisted and during the last academic year about Rs 35 million were given to 1884 boys and girls as scholarship.

He said that the establishment of CISCO Academy at SSUET was an important achievement and besides education in networking, the university has been made a center of online examination.

The Chancellor pointed out that the SSUET was the only university in the private sector where extracurricular activities were fully encouraged and its students won top positions in various important national and provincial events besides sports and which speaks of their talents.

Emphasizing upon making the promotion and pursuation of education mission of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as the AMUOBA’s foremost objective he committed not to ignore the element of merit to achieve highest educational standards at the SSUET.

He specially recalled the services of AMUOBA’s late President, Engr Z A Nizami and its late Secretary, Mohammed Zakir Ali Khan, and said that foundation stone of a new 8-story academic block at the campus has been laid and the construction work was in full swing.

Earlier the AMUOBA’s Secretary Mukhtar Ahmed Naqvi present the Association’s Annual report, highlighting the successes made towards the achievement of its objectives.  The meeting approved the minutes of the AMUOBA’s previous AGM. The Treasurer SSUET, Salman Saleh presented the audited accounts of the Association.

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Maqsood-un-Nabi takes over as new Railways DS Karachi

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Maqsood-un-Nabi, an officer of the railway group, has been transferred from the Pakistan Railways Headquarters, Lahore, and posted as the Divisional Superintendent of the Karachi Division.

Before the new assignment, Maqsood-un-Nabi was working as the Chief Operating Superintendent at the Railway HQ Lahore and he now replaces Mahmood Lashari who, on transfer, has been posted as Director General Vigilance at the Railway HQ.

Earlier Maqsood-un-Nabi had served as the Chief Commercial Manager at Lahore and besides also having worked as the Deputy DS Railway at Karachi. He brings with him very rich experience in the field of railway operation as well as commercial sector.

“My main focus will be on punctuality of trains and passenger facilitation,” the DS Railways said in an interview adding that since he took over the punctuality rate went up from previous low of 73 percent to 87 percent at present and it will improve further in coming days with the kind of measures being taken by him.

He said that he had taken up the management sector as a challenge for himself and issued directives to divisional managers to bring improvement in their managerial skills to achieve the desired targets set for them which include punctuality of train operation, public facilitation and most important revenue generation.

Maqsood-un-Nabi remarked that back marketing of tickets has been controller by 99 percent and severe action taken against those involved in the menacing practices. He said that he has the full cooperation of SP Railway Police and Divisional Commercial Officer and black sheep in the force are being screened out.

The DS Railway added that he had also taken up the issue of railway’s land  grabbing and in his very first meeting with divisional officers he issued directive for developing a system to have immediate information about any case of land grabbing and initiation of immediate action by the anti-encroachment cell which too has been activated.

Under public facilitation program, he said, passengers going for upcountry dest inations are informed about delays in departure of trains through mobile phone messaging so that they may not have to face any inconvenience by reaching the station on time.

Similarly cleaning coaches of trains leaving for upcountry destinations is being ensured particularly with emphasis on water and power supply. He said he had issued strict instruction that there should not be repetition of any problem once identified.

He said that on his directive a railway is deputed at Cantonment Station who would check the trains and submit report about any event taking place during his duty hour.

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.

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.

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.

Concept of supply chain management highlighted at SSUET seminar

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The concept of supply chain management, a new concept which is going to prove beneficial for engineers-in-making when they enter the practical life and come across with industrial and commercial businesses, was highlighted at a one-day seminar organized by the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi.

“It is a new a new field with wide applications to be applied by upcoming engineers when they enter the practical arena,” Engr Noman Ali, the visiting Regional Manager, Seimens, Saudi Arabia, pointed out in a detail presentation on the topic.

He described  supply chain management as an integrated process that spans the movement of and storage of raw materials, inventory and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

“It is the design planning and execution, control and monitoring of supply chain activities with the objective to ensure efficient and effective use of time and resources by avoiding wastage,” Engr Noman explained adding that the ultimate objective aims to come up to expectation of customers and achieve the set  targets.

The topic was particularly relevant to the students of final year who, he said,  would soon enter  practical life where knowledge of supply chain management would be quite beneficial to them.

The workshop was largely attended, among others, by Vice-Chancellor SSUET,  Prof Dr Jawaid Hasan Rizvi,  Dean Engineering Prof Dr S M Makhdumi, Associate Dean Prof Dr Najeeb Siddiqui besides the chairpersons of various faculties, heads of departments, faculty members and students.

In his concluding remarks Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawaid Hasan Rizvi, appreciated the comprehensive presentation given by Engr Noman Ali.

Prof Dr S M Makhdumi, Dean Engineering, announced that in view of importance of the subject the SSUET would consider starting a short course on supply chain management in the near future.

Action demanded against irregularities in homeopathy

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Former Acting President, National Council for Homeopathy, H.Dr Jawed Hussain Shah, has urged upon the concerned authorities to take immediate notice of rampant irregularities in Homeopathy and the falling standard of Homoeo education.

In a statement issued in Karachi on August 18, he called for initiation of immediate action against all colleges providing sub-standard education, conduct of sub-standard education and above all fake admissions.

He reiterated his demand that the authority for conducting Homoeo examinations be with drawn from the Council and entrusted to some Board or University to bring an end to ongoing irregularities and corruption.

He pointed out that the Homeo examinations which were due to start from June 20, 2013 had to be delayed because of the in fight going on for occupying the chairmanship of Examining Body of National Council of Homeopathy and now these are expected to commence from August 20.

H.Dr Jawed Shah observed that the quality of examinations has become sub-standard and non-transparent because of  acting Registrar and Acting Controller of Examination while the government-nominated Chairman was not allowed to function by a section of people having vested interests.

He said that majority of Council members are those who owns Homeopathic Medical colleges and are responsible for falling standard of homeopathic education.

He demanded of all the Provincial authorities to setup raiding teams to check use of unfair means during Homeo examinations as well as the activities of  ‘booty mafia.’

He said that those examination centres be sealed  where use of unfair means may be allowed and the colleges involved therein be black-listed.

SSUET board approves new programmes

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Board of Governors of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has given go ahead for start of new programmes from new academic session 2014.

Vice-Chancellor SSUET, Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi has revealed that the university plans to start new programmes in Bio-Informatics, Architecture, Software Engineering and Management Sciences.

The university, he said, is also exploring the possibility of introducing BS program at its Institute of Environment and Human Settlements.

The Disaster Relief Plan Cell at this institute has published various reports on Disaster preparedness in the wake of floods, rains, earth quakes, fire etc which were highly appreciated in various circles.

The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that at present SSUET has over 5000 students on its roll studying in the engineering disciplines of Computer, Electronics, Bio-Medical, Civil and Telecommunication besides computer science.

He said that keeping the new emerging trends, the university has decided to start new programs to meet the growing market demands.

Dr Rizvi said the university is already offering post-graduate programs and at Master and Ph.D levels besides robust continuous education program in the evening.

He said that ssuet labs are equipped with state of the art equipment. It is the policy of the university to continue to improve and update its laboratories with latest equipment.

He said 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. 

Jamshed Rizvi desires to take IEP to higher level

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The newly elected President of the Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP), Syed Jamshed Ali Rizvi, has vowed to make the institution a real forum for the progress of engineers of Pakistan. 

In a chat, soon after his election as President in which he secured 1465 votes as against over 1100 bagged by his closest rival, Jameshed Rizvi expressed his desire to make the institution more proactive. 

“I have chalked out an active program for the Institution to infuse a new spirit into its body,” he said, adding that the IEP will be made a real engineer’s voice at the national level. 

He pointed out that the IEP today has a total membership of about 28,000 engineers of Pakistan whom it will represent in a more effective manner to get their immediate problems solved.

Jamshed Rizvi, who held the office of Chairman IEP, Karachi Chapter, for the last three years, regretted that non-engineers are being preferred over engineers in various ministries and departments and he will launch a struggle to get the engineers their due rights. 

He remarked that the various departments which should be headed by engineers are being headed by non-engineers and as such these departments were not producing the required results. 

Jamshed Rizvi was of the opinion that the qualified engineers were not being paid the salary in accordance with their qualification and experience while the non-engineers working on their seats were being paid highly. 

He said that when an engineer joins any department in Grade 17 he or she retires either in the same grade or just a grade higher. 

“It has been the practice for the last many years. It’s about that the efforts should be made at the relevant levels to press for the just rights of the engineers,” the IEP President stressed. 

He said that he was in the process of preparing a calendar of events to be organized during his three-year term. 

As Chairman IEP Karachi, Jamshed Rizvi had organized the 45th Convention of Engineers which was attended by 28 foreign delegates from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Canada, Italy, UK, and USA besides delegates the delegates from Pakistan. 

He said that during his three-year term he will also focus on having a separate new building for Karachi IEP to be constructed either in place of present building or on the space at the back of present premises for which renowned architects will be hired.

Jamshed Rizvi also revealed that the IEP offices in Lahore, Islamabad and Quetta will be renovated while the Peshawar office was under construction and will be completed in due course of time.