Hanif Gohar nominated in FPCCI committee

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Mohammad Hanif Gohar, a prominent figure in the construction industry, has been nominated as the Senior Vice Chairman of the Urban Development Standing Committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for the year 2015. He had served in the same capacity with distinction last year as well.

Hanif Gohar, who was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) in 2013-14, has been known and respected for his contribution in boosting the trade. 

He expressed the confidence that the Urban Development Standing Committee of the FPCCI will continue working proactively for the growth of the construction sector in order to create greater employment opportunities for the people.

SSUET organize convocation with traditional zeal

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, revealed that their institution has so far produced 13,000 graduate engineers in various disciplines. 

“These graduate engineers are capable to meet the demand of modern world and holding responsible positions in reputed national, multinational organizations both within Pakistan and abroad,” he observed while addressing the SSUET’s 18th Convocation held at the Expo Centre on March 14. 

Around 1,100 graduates from the disciplines of Computer, Electronics, Civil, Telecommunication and Bio-Medical Engineering and Computer Science besides those having completed their Masters were awarded degrees at the most fascinating event of their life yet. 

Chancellor Adil Usman described the SSUET as a progressive institution which, he said, looks forward to meet the requirements of modern engineering practices. 

“In order to achieve this objective the engineering curriculum is regularly reviewed and upgraded besides introducing new technologies on periodical basis.” 

Extending felicitations to degree recipients and their parents, Engr Adil Usman hoped that young graduates would pursue high values of professional ethics and focus on nation building efforts. He advised the graduates to always pursue a positive mode and think in terms of solving the issues and challenges with confidence and determination. 

“Our country is passing through a critical phase and we have great expectations that our young engineers would rise to the occasion and cope with challenges ahead,” the Chancellor stated.. 

The SSUET was established with a view to impart the youth with most modern knowledge in engineering & technology by the best available human and material resources and assigns a high priority to tolerance, human values, progress, innovative ideas and research in pursuit to bring a breakthrough in technology. 

Addressing the ceremony Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Syed Jawaid Hasan Rizvi, remarked that the Sir Syed University has been making efforts to increase the number of seats to accommodate ever growing number of admission seekers and also introduce new technologies. 

Last year, he said, three new technologies of Software Engineering, Bioinformatics and Architecture were introduced while this year Electrical Engineering started keeping the fact in view that Pakistan is facing electric power crises affecting all sectors of the economy and the various segments of the society. Now the University is  providing BS Programme in ten disciplines and Masters programme in six disciplines.while PhD programme is available in Computer and Electronic Engineering. 

He informed that the university is pioneer in introducing Biomedical Engineering and Biomedical Engineers from this university were playing a significant role in the maintenance of medical equipment. 

Prof Jawaid Rizvi recalled that the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), as sponsors, had established Sir Syed University in 1994 which today is significantly contributing towards consolidating the socio-economic and technological development of Pakistan. The enrollment in the university has already crossed 21,000 and we have produced more than 13,000 graduates since 1998, he informed. 

Earlier, in his welcome address, Registrar, Engr Syed Abrar Ali, congratulated the students and their parents, and wished them a prosperous future. He said that higher education has now become a tool of economic growth. 

On the occasion, the students winning top positions were decorated with gold, silver and bronze medals for their outstanding achievements. Amber Ashraf of Computer Engineering, Muhmmad Obaid Ashraf of Electronic Engineering, Warda Ali Shah of Telecommunication Engineering, Anum Wasim Biomedical Engineering, Muhammad Aqeel Ahmed of Civil Engineering and Muhammad Ahsan Shaikh of Computer Science received gold medals for securing 1st position. 

The recipients of silver medals for securing second position included Ariba Aslam of Computer Engineering, Muhammad Hassan Bashir of Electronic Engineering, Sadia Parveen of Telecommunication Engineering, Hina of Biomedical Engineering, Kashan Khan of Civil Engineering and Rabia Khan of Computer Science. Mohammad Usman Ghani of Computer Engineering, Haider Ali of Electronic Engineering, 

Hira Tariq of Telecommunication Engineering, Maleeha Mehboob of Biomedical Engineering, Javeria Saleem of Civil Engineering and Yasir Ali of Computer Science were awarded bronze medals for securing third position in their respective disciplines.

SSUET reviews convocation arrangements

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) has made arrangements to organize its Convocation 2015 on March 14 at the Karachi Expo Centre and a meeting to review the preparations was held at the campus.

The meeting was presided over by Chancellor Engr Mohammad Adil Usman and it was attended by Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Syed Jawaid H. Rizvi, Registrar Syed Abrar Ali, chairpersons of the various departments and other concerned officials. 

The chancellor reviewed the proposals and options for the security arrangements and administrative measures and gave necessary directions for holding convocation in a peaceful manner. 

Around one thousand graduating students of the university would receive their degrees on the engineering disciplines of Computer, Electronics, Civil, Bio-Medical and Telecom besides Computer Science. 

During the meeting Chancellor Adil Usman pointed out that knowing the fact that the engineers play a pivotal role for changing the destiny of the nation, the SSUET was producing skilled engineers, well equipped with the required technical education of modern era during the last two decades. 

Meanwhile a meeting of the Board of Governors of the SSUET will be held one day prior to convocation on March 13. 

The SSUET has been growing rapidly and four new technologies, electrical engineering, software engineering, architecture and bioinformatics, were introduced within a short span of time besides six existing technologies. A new 4-storey building has been completed and the work to construct the Sir Syed Tower has already commenced.

FPCCI to back ABAD in resolving construction issues

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chairman of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and a leading entrepreneur, S M Muneer, has reckoned that the construction industry has an important role in the economic development of any country.

He said that in his next meeting with Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, he will take the ABAD representatives along and request the PM to remove the four-year old ban on new gas connections. 

He was addressing a luncheon meeting held at the ABAD House in honour of the newly elected office bearers of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). 

He observed that ABAD has great respect in trade associations and this is officially accepted adding that the issues of housing and construction industry will be resolved from the FPCCI platform. 

S M Muneer revealed that the recent exhibition organized by the TDAP was a great success and export orders worth 1.75 billion dollars were booked while the participation by businessmen from 75 countries which also improved the image of Pakistan in the world. 

The President of the FPCCI, Mian Muhammad Adrees, disclosed that the federation has declared 2015 as the Year of Revival of Pakistan Economy and the government has also supported the view that issues can be resolved at 7% growth of the economy. 

Appreciating the role of construction industry in the economic development of the country, he said that the bureaucracy has not been able to resolve the issues and the economy could not prosper without private sector’s participation. He offered full cooperation of the FPCCI for resolution of issues of members of ABAD. 

The Patron-in-Chief of ABAD, Mohsin Sheikhani, described the law and order situation as the biggest hurdle in the development which, he thought, can be improved with the cooperation of business community. 

The Chairman of ABAD, Junaid Ashraf Taloo, emphasized on the role of construction industry in the economic development and said that the total requirement of all gas connections in Sindh including Karachi and Hyderabad was less than 1 MMCFD. 

“The summary about lifting the ban on gas connections has been awaiting action in the Prime Minister’s office for the last six months. Rs 200 billion of builders and allottees are blocked at present which could bring more revenue for the government if brought into circulation,” he remarked.  

The ABAD Chairman reminded that the construction industry was the largest employer in the cities and towns as the construction moved the wheel of many allied industries and it deserved to be given facilities and incentives. 

The Senior Vice President of FPCCI, Abdul Rahim Janoo, the Vice Chairman ABAD, Mohammad Hanif Memon, and the Regional Chairman ABAD, Mohammad Hassan Bakshi also spoke on the occasion.