Akbar Ali Khan elected AMUOBA President, takes over as SSUET Chancellor

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Akbar Ali Khan, a son of the illustrious Engr Zakir Ali Khan, the close associate of Engr Z A Nizami, the founder of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), has taken over as its fourth Chancellor, replacing Jawaid Anwar. 

At the time of the establishment of the SSUET in 1993, Engr Nizami was its first Chancellor and, after his death in 2013, Engr Adil Usman and Jawaid Anwar occupied the coveted position. 

Akbar Ali Khan has become the SSUET’s Chancellor by virtue of his election as the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA). 

The AMUOBA elections were held after a gap of 10 years in which the Zakir Ali Khan Panel ousted the Alig United Panel by clinching 158 votes as against 130 bagged by the opponents. 

After taking over the university’s Chancellorship, Akbar Ali Khan presided over the first meeting of AMUOBA’s Executive Committee in which Adil Askari, Atif Nazar and Mohammed Yamin were elected as Vice-Presidents while Jaffar Nazir Usmani was elected as General Secretary.

In his introductory address, the Chancellor pledged to set aside the bickering of the past and called for focusing on the future. He admitted that those who stood firmly by his side during the difficult period worth more appreciation than the clapping on their success achieved. 

Meanwhile in the Executive Committee important decisions were taken for future line of action and for rectification of SSUET’s worsened conditions. 

He stated that time keeps moving which continues teaching many lessons most importantly the deep feelings of responsibilities that now rest on their shoulders for a bright future of the university and its students. 

He made it clear that only joint and united efforts could lead towards cherished objectives. In this regard all out efforts would be made to attain the goals set for the purpose. 

Speaking on the occasion the General Secretary-elect, Jaffar Nazir Usmani, declared that no stone would be left unturned to strengthen and make successful the objectives of AMUOBA and its associated institutions. 

The Vice President, Adil Askari, declared that the foremost priority of the newly elected body would be for the advancement of AMUOBA and its institutions without compromising on principles. He believed that the souls of Z A Nizami and Zakir Ali Khan must have been happy that after ten years such leadership has come forward who truly respect their elders. 

Meanwhile the faculty and staff of the SSUET gave a vigorous welcome to the Chancellor and assured him of their full cooperation stating that they would fully follow their directives to be taken for the university’s advancement and accomplishment of the their mission. 

The Vice-Chancellor, Dr Munawar Hussain, was relieved of his responsibilities and handed over the charge to Dr Jaffar Nazir Usmani who is also the General Secretary of AMUOBA.