Sir Syed’s bicentennial birth anniversary celebrations underway

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), in collaboration with Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) plans to hold numerous programmes during the current year to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of the legendary reformer and educationist, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan befittingly.

This was stated by AMUOBA President, Jawaid Anwar, who is also the Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), in his latest interview. 

 Preparations were in full swing and the events would include a conference and a seminar, besides the celebration of the Sir Syed Day in a grand style this year. 

Sir Syed Day is celebrated every year on October 17 but this year will mark the 200th birth anniversary of the great reformer and educationist. 

Jawaid Anwar informed that the celebration activities had already started and in that regard two lectures on the life, achievements, mission and philosophy of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had been held. The lectures were delivered by Prof. Islahi who specially came from Aligarh for the purpose. 

“We plan to hold a Bio-medical conference dedicated to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan later this year. We will also organize a quiz competition on Sir Syed while the Sir Syed Memorial Lecture is also included in our plans", 

Chancellor Jawaid Anwar informed adding that as many as three books on Sir Syed will be published and launched to highlight his monumental contribution. 

The AMUOBA President said that the concept of social reforms of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was based upon acquisition of modern scientific education. 

The key ingredients of his concept are proper upbringing, character building and tolerance and the Aligarh Muslim University proved to be the laboratory where these concepts were experimented, which produced students who possessed the above traits. The positive result of this experiment was the establishment of Pakistan, Jawaid Anwar stated.