SSUET swimmers shine in Independence Day contest

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) excelled in the Independence Day Open Swimming Championship staged at the Defence Authority Creek Club to celebrate the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan. 

The SSUET took three medals in the event which was jointly organized by the Defence Authority Creek Club and the Pakistan Marine Academy. Mohammad Ahmed claimed silver medal in 50m freestyle and bronze medal in 50m butterfly while Hyder earned bronze in 100m breaststroke. 

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), honoured the members of the SSUET swimming team and congratulated them on their worthy efforts in the open championship contested by 14 institutes from all over the province.

The Sindh Sports Minister, Sardar Mohammad Baksh Khan Maher, was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony which was also attended by Secretary of the Defence Authority Creek Club, Brig Sajid Iqbal Jadoon, and Commodore Akbar Naqi, Commandant, Pakistan Marine Academy. 

The Independence Day Open Swimming Championship was recognized as a success story by the participants and the hosts were appreciated for having conducted the event nicely. 

In fact the Sindh Sports Minister was so much impressed with the facilities at the venue and he considered it to be an ideal host for future swimming competitions. 

Cake cutting also took place and it was followed by a flag retrieving ceremony, conducted with traditional fervor and enthusiasm.

Cricket hero Rumman Raees visits SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) was set alight by the visit of left-arm fast bowler Rumman Raees, one of the heroes of the ICC Champions Trophy Cricket Tournament 2017, as part of the celebrations of Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day. 

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), greeted the cricket hero and described him as a role model for the youngsters. 

Engr Anwer Ali, himself an all-round cricketer of merit, lavishly praised the performance of Pakistan’s cricket team which saw them win the Champions Trophy in England against all odds.

Rumman Raees, who was one of three debutants in the tournament, performed exceedingly well in his only appearance and he was very rightly hailed as one of the heroes. 

“It’s in the fitness of things that the Champions Trophy winning Pakistani cricketers returned home to a heroic welcome wherever they went around. It was heartening to watch the fans thronging the airports and gathering outside their residences to celebrate the triumph,” Engr Anwar Ali reckoned. 

“All the members of the team deserved credit for having made the nation proud with their outstanding performance. From skipper Sarfraz Ahmed down to Rumman Raees all of them deserve to be hailed as heroes,” he added.

“The presence of Rumman Raees here at the SSUET has thrilled us and what an occasion he has chosen to be with us. His presence in the Independence Day celebrations has made all of us excited and ecstatic,” Engr Anwar Ali complimented. 

Rumman Raees is a welcome addition to the list of high quality left-arm fast bowlers produced by Pakistan. He had come to the limelight in the inaugural edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2016 and he was duly rewarded with Pakistan debut in a T20 International against West Indies later the same year.

He turned out to one of the star performers of the second edition of the PSL in 2017 during which he picked up no less than a dozen wickets in just seven matches. He was chosen for the limited-overs leg of Pakistan's West Indies tour in April 2017 but was originally omitted from the Champions Trophy squad. 

It was the injury to Wahab Riaz during the course of the event in England which created a vacancy and Rumman Raees was drafted in as replacement. 

He made his memorable debut in One-day Internationals in the high voltage semifinal against England after Mohammad Aamir had to pull out at the eleventh hour due to back problems.

SSUET wins tug of war contest

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) emerged victorious in the Independence Day tug of war competition organized by the Karachi Tug of War Association (KTWA) at the Customs Sports Complex housed in Federal-B-Area. 

The SSUET won the Independence Day contest by overpowering Central Fitness Club who was soundly beaten in a couple of successive rounds. 

The Convener AIT, Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony. 

Engr Anwer Ali, himself an active sportsman, praised the efforts of the organizers in promoting the sport of tug of war which is an ancient athletic contest between two teams who haul at the opposite ends of a rope. 

He spoke about the significance of sports in building a healthy society, urging all the stakeholders to work jointly to achieve the common goal. 

The Secretary of the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA), Ahmed Ali Rajput, also attended the presenting ceremony alngwith the officials of the KTWA.

SSUET celebrates Independence Day with traditional zest

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) celebrated 70th Independence Day of Pakistan with traditional zeal and glowing tributes were paid to the people who sacrificed their lives during struggle for having an independent homeland for Muslims of South Asia to live with their distinct identity and complete freedom.

“It is with feelings of greatest happiness and emotion that we are celebrating Pakistan Independence Day with patriotic zest. It marks the fulfillment of the destiny of the Muslim nation which made great sacrifices in the history to have its homeland,” Chancellor Jawaid Anwar remarked in his address on the occasion 

“We should learn lesson from the actions and character of our national leaders and try to follow their footsteps. Nations face ups and down but only those nations emerge as hero who are laced with patriotic feelings and work with consistency,” he added. 

“Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had initiated the Aligarh Movement for Muslims of the Subcontinent to make them aware of the importance of scientific education and established Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College in 1875 which is now acknowledged as Aligarh Muslim University,” the SSUET Chancellor recalled.  

“His system of education based on character building, tolerance and coexistence that make student a role model. Today we again need these characteristics in our system of education for nation’s reconstruction which can make student a role model,” Jawaid Anwar opined. 

“Youth are the backbone of a society and without including them in the development projects you may get no concrete results. Sir Syed University is establishing the Sir Syed Institute for Youth Development and Research for grooming youth on national level. Youth may bring change in the society with their high morals and positive attitudes,” he stated. 

The SSUET Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Afzal Haq, reckoned that true patriotism will make our country unbeatable in the international world. He paid rich tribute to the founding fathers for their epic struggle for democracy and independence. 

On this auspicious occasion Prof Dr Afzal Haq underscored the need for translating the Quaid-e-Azam’s motto of unity, faith and discipline into reality and work together in raising Pakistan stature. 

Earlier Jawaid Anwar, Chancellor SSUET, hoisted the national flag in an impressive ceremony as the students and the staff of the university passionately raised Pakistan Zindabad slogans and kept waving the national flags. 

The high point of the ceremony was a cultural programme in which the students enthralled the audience with national and motivational songs. 

The ceremony was attended among others by the SSUET Registrar, Syed Sarfraz Ali, Aligarians, faculty, staff members besides students. The ceremony concluded with the prayer led by Mahmood-ul-Hasan Ashrafi for national progress and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah.

Advance computer lab inaugurated at AIT

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) added another feather in its cap by strengthening its DAE-CIT department whose advance computer lab was equipped with a fleet of 25 more computers with latest configuration and multi-media projectors. 

The Director Academy and Training, Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training (STEVTA), Engr Liaquat Ali Jamro, who was the chief guest on the occasion, did the honours at a graceful inauguration ceremony. 

The Convener AIT, Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), in his brief speech, observed that greater emphasis was being laid on the promotion of academic and sports activities for an all round development of the students.

Engr Anwer Ali, the motivating force behind the phenomenal success of the AIT in the recent past, announced that there were concrete plans to provide more facilities to the students as well as to the staff in the near future. 

Shahid Jamil, Head of the DAE-CIT department, informed the audience about the academic and welfare facilities that AIT was offering to its students. 

The chief guest was taken round the new laboratory and he greatly appreciated the facilities being provided by the AIT. He enquired about the equipment and software facilities.

Engr Liaquat Ali Jamro acknowledged the efforts of the AIT Convener, Engr Anwer Ali, and its Principal Prof Dr Mahmood Khan Pathan in the development of the institution. 

He recognized the AIT as the top most institution for technical education in Sindh, assuring his full support for further development of the Institute. 

Syed Rehan Ali, Incharge Evening Programmes, presented the vote of thanks while souvenirs were presented to chief guest by the Convener and the Principal of AIT.

SSUET edges out Virtual University in Independence Day Table Tennis series

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) edged out the Virtual University by two matches to one in the Independence Day Table Tennis series staged at the SSUET Gymnasium Hall. 

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony. 

In his brief address on the occasion, Engr Anwer Ali, hailed as one of the pillars of the AMUOBA, recalled the sacrifices of the millions of Muslims of South Asia in the creation of Pakistan.

“The Independence Day reminds us of the great sacrifices of our ancestors who had made the creation of Pakistan possible. We salute them for having braved the toughest of circumstances and endured pains of all kinds for the sake of the newly founded country. We have derived inspiration from their selfless acts and I hope that our future generations will continue to be inspired by their services,” Engr Anwar Ali remarked. 

Himself a former first-class cricketer of high pedigree, he touched about the need to inculcate the famous Aligarhian sporting spirit among the youth of the country for letting them excel in sports as well as academics. The three-match table tennis series turned out be an absorbing one. 

The SSUET drew the first blood by winning the first match in straight sets but the Virtual University bounced back in the next match to set up an interesting decider. The third and final match was clinched by the hosts who also pocketed the series.

Engr Anwer Ali driving AIT to top of the tree

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), desires to inculcate the famous Aligarhian sporting spirit among the youth of the country to let them excel in sports and education. 

Himself a former first-class cricketer, who was a rare all-round talent being a high quality fast bowler as well as a top order batsman, Engr Anwer Ali remains committed to facilitate the AIT students in their quest for knowledge and sports excellence. 

“Sports used to be one of the strengths of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), established by the great Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, originally as the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875. We are endeavoring to revive the same sports culture at our institutions here having been founded by AMUOBA to furthering the cause,” he remarked in a recent interview. 

It may recalled that the AIT, housed in Block 5 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, was founded by the AMUOBA in 1989 and five years later they established the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) in the same arena. 

“During my tenure as Secretary Sports (2007-2011) I had turned it around at the SSUET which became proactive in sports and its students started winning laurels at all levels. Now having taken over as the Convener of the AIT in November 2015, I have been making efforts to lay a strong platform for sports studies in order to facilitate our students,” Engr Anwer Ali stated. 

“The majority of the students enrolled at the AIT are in the age group of 18 to 22 years and we are working accordingly to take care of their sports needs besides providing them the best possible facilities for studies. We are among the top educational institutions of the city and we are eager to expand our sports department,” he revealed. 

“We are planning to organize two different sports competitions at the All Karachi level during the current academic year. In the first festival there will be tournaments of cricket, hockey, football and basketball while the other festival will comprise of competitions in indoor games,” Engr Anwer Ali disclosed. 

“Our objective is to take the AIT to top of the tree in the field of sports too among the institutes affiliated to the Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE),” he declared. 

Engr Syed Anwer Ali heads the AIT Managing Committee being its Convener while the other members of the committee are Mohammad Arshad Khan, Mohammad Tariq Sabzwari, Mohammad Aijaz-ul-Yaqin, Syed Nasir Hussain, Iqbal Ahmed Siddiqui, Dr.Saleemuddin Chishti, Aslam Shah Khan and Syed Mohammad Munif.