By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan
The elected representatives of the business community at the
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have expressed the hope that
dwindled economy and battered industrial sector will witness a new surge during
the next five years.
They made the assessment on the basis of formation of new
government to be formed by Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif which, they noted, has
dedicated industrialists, businessmen and experts in the related fields in its
fold who are capable to deliver which the previous government could not.
Their remarks in this regard came in a meeting with Engr
Mohammad Adil Usman, Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and
Technology (SSUET), Karachi, held at the university campus on May 15 The
21-member delegation of KCCI, led by its President, Mohammed Haroon Aagar,
visited the university and discussed various matters to further strengthen the
existing coordination and relationship with SSUET.
The KCCI chief pointed out that no expansion occurred in the
industrial sector during the last 5 years and this sector has much hopes on the
new government which is going to be formed with an industry-related background.
He offered large scale internship opportunities for the SSUET students,
foreseeing the rapid industrial growth that is likely to take place in the
coming years.
He specially referred to the ongoing energy crisis and said
that with other sources of energy generation potential also existed to tap
solar energy prospects for use in the industries. He also offered to extend
sponsorships for the SSUET students, wherever required.
In his remarks on the occasion the SSUET Chancellor, Engr
Adil Usman, thanked the delegation for coming over and described it highly
encouraging with fruitful discussion. He said while foreseeing the future
development prospects, there is imperative need to encourage the students
studying engineering in this university which is being run with its
self-generated resources to provide best possible knowledge to future builders
of the nation.
The Chancellor said that the university does not receive any
government grant, still no student is allowed to give his studies just for
financial implications and all requirements of poor students are fulfilled by
this university which has been awarded the highest “W4” category by Higher
Education Commission.
He suggested the KCCI to establish a fund for poor students
of this university which will be utilized under the criteria to be worked out
by KCCI itself. He also referred to the SSUET’s Research and Development
programs and pointed out that world over such programs are supported by the
industry. He said that R&D programs at universities ultimately prove
beneficial for the industry.
He informed the KCCI officials that the university can send
talented students abroad if a fund is created by KCCI for this purpose. Engr
Adil Usman also referred to the bio-plant designed with SSUET’s cooperation and
emphasized that it needs further development to launch it for meeting energy
needs.
He appreciated KCCI’s offer for 6-month IT training for the
university students and said the University at its end can offer solutions for
IT related problems if these come from the Chamber.
On the occasion, Shamim Firpo, Senior Vice-President KCCI,
appreciated SSUET’s participation in the Chamber’s ‘My Karachi; exhibition held
at Expo Center last year and said that the projects displayed on that occasion
drew big public liking.
He said this year the KCCI is organizing the exhibition in
July and will earmark an exclusive education pavilion to showcasing the
projects of engineering students. He said such programs will help enhance
greater SSUET-industry collaboration.
He also referred to the menace of energy crisis and observed
that if the new government surmounts this menace, the industry will grow and in
turn new job opportunities will create and simultaneously ongoing law and order
come under control.
He assured KCCI's total support and cooperation for the
SSUET along with other members of the visiting delegation who appreciated the
presentation given on the occasion by Registrar SSUET Shah Mahmood Hussain Syed
and particularly referred to the quantum of scholarships awarded and the
financial assistance give to needy students.
