Justice Mushir Alam lauds SSUET for meeting the challenge

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chief Justice of the High Court of Sindh, Justice Mushir Alam, has lauded the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, for producing 10,000 engineers for Pakistan serving humanity nationally and internationally with global vision. 

He was addressing as chief guest at a 4000-strong gathering at the 16th Convocation-2013 of the University held at the Karachi Expo Center on March 26. Around 1100 passing out graduates, including a group having done Masters in Civil, Bio-Medical Engineering and Mathematics, were conferred degrees in Computer, Electronics, Civil, Bio-Medical and Telecom Engineering and Computer Science. 

Various Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were also given to students bagging first, second and third positions in all the engineering disciplines. 

Addressing the passing out graduates, the Chief Justice Mushir Alam told them that they are equipped with creative and innovative abilities and prepared to take the challenges head on, hold reigns of this nation and steer it towards more successful and technologically advanced Pakistan. 

Pakistan, he pointed out, is land of opportunity and Allah has gifted Pakistan with 3rd largest coal mine; 3rd number in cotton production; 4th number in rice production; 5th largest gold mine, 6th largest army; 7th nuclear power, 11th biggest gas reservoir; 11th number in wheat production and world’s biggest youth (20-30 years) make up nearly one-third of Pakistan’s total population. 

“But what we lack is true, upright and loyal leadership in Pakistan,” CJ Mushir Alam said adding that unfortunately our industries are shutting down because of acute energy crises and this land of opportunities was in the grip of few handful opportunists who are plundering Pakistan for personal gains. 

“Just as we have high confidence on your capabilities and on the excellence of the academic and attitudinal grooming each one of you has received, I personally, and above all your parents, family members and Pakistan all have very high expectations from each of you."

It is strong conviction of all of us that you the engineers can changed the country if you devote your energy and time to make new breakthroughs, Chief Justice Mushir Alam emphasized and added that all above resources Pakistan was gifted with awaits your exploration to convert Pakistan as a strong industrialized and economically viable country. 

The Chief Justice SHC said that Pakistan, after long dictatorial rule has achieved a mile stone by completing first ever five year of democratic rule and day before yesterday witnessed swearing in of Justice (Rtd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso as caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, appointments of former judges as Chief Minister in KPK, Sindh is clear manifestation of trust people have on the judiciary of Pakistan. 

He said it was not the job of judiciary to run the country. The responsibility lies on the elected representatives. Responsibility of the judiciary is to ensure that the state is being run by rule of law and in accordance with the Constitutions. 

Present judiciary, he continued, has fostered and strengthens the democracy by ensuring rule of law and equal treatment and protection of law. For many this democratic rule was not a pleasing experience but democracy has to be given chance and now we are at the cross road, here your contribution to the society will certainly set the direction for the nation. 

He told them to use their right of franchise sensibly and honestly. ”As a nation we have travelled 66 years. Throughout this journey Pakistan was led by many dictatorial rules and intermittently for a short while by the controlled democracy. It is not the distance that many nations cover matters. What matters is the direction we have chosen to move forward. If the directions are set right we are sure to reach the destination, no matter how long the journey is otherwise we will continue to wander rudderless and we lost in the history."   

Addressing the young engineers, CJ Mushir Alam told them that they are fortunate to live in present day time. They are witness to a change – change from rule of tyranny to the rule of law. “You have seen in your time how just a ‘No’ of Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry to the unconstitutional demand of a dictator on 9th March 2007 has changed the entire scenario. Just one ‘No’ triggered whole event of change in the society, it has resurrected moral renaissance in Pakistan , it has changed the mindset of the people.” 

Now, he said, each member of the society is looking forward to a change for a better, prosperous and just Pakistan. “It is you the educated youth to rest the responsibility to bring the change and to turn the wheel of prosperity and bring into being justice, fair and peaceful society; where life and liberty of every citizen is protected, all are treated equally and have an equal opportunity to grow and where rule of law reign supreme."

This university CJ SHC, pointed out, has equipped you with the chisel of knowledge and wisdom and now it was for them how to effectively use this to shape out Pakistan of your dream. 

He said their mission in life should be to go out to serve people of their country and use their knowledge to bring change and it was now their turn to contribute. 

Earlier in his address and report, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawd Hussain Rizvi informed that since the establishment of this university in 1994, education has been provided to over 10,000 students in a number of disciplines from Civil to Bio-Medical Engineering. 

He revealed that the university is offering Ph.D program in Electronic and Computer Engineering only for its faculty members and currently there were 15 students pursuing Ph.D studies and some of them receive their degrees in coming year while the university plans to offer Ph.D programme in other disciplines also. 

He said the university believes in providing its students with access to all necessary tools and its state-of-the-art labs are equipped with modern equipment meeting international standards. He said the faculty is dedicated and well qualified. 

He congratulated the graduating class of 2012 and their loved ones and said may the years they spent at SSUET be the best years of their life and may these years pave the way for greater success and happiness of thyeir future. 

He quoted great reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan saying that “national progress is the sum total of the individuals, labour, honour, honesty and sympathy. Similarly national downfall is the cumulative results of individuals, laziness, dishonesty, selfishness and other weaknesses of character."

This university, he said, operates on the philosophy of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan with no restriction on admissions on the basis of cast, creed or domicile. He said admissions are provided on the basis of merit alone and for the reason, the SSUET has seen an increasing influx of talented students From all parts of Pakistan. 

On the occasion a total of 1123 students were conferred degrees in various engineering disciplines including 255 in Civil, 324 in Electronics, 100 in Telecom, 78 in Bio-Medical and 275 in Civil Engineering and 91 in Computer Science. 

Top position holders were awarded Z.A. Nizami, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Muhammed Zakir Ali Khan, Dr A.T. Khan, Bashir A. Malik and Hasan Nasir University Gold Medals besides University Silver and Bronze medals in the six engineering disciplines. 

Among others, the convocation was attended by renowned nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council Engr Syed Abdul Qadir Shah, Members of SSUET’s Board of Governors, Members of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) and a large number of city’s elite. The proceedings were conducted by the SSUET Registrar, Shah Mahmood H Syed.

Prevention is the best way to combat brain-eating amoeba

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prevention is considered the best way to avoid the rare ‘brain eating’ disease Naegleria Fowleri, which has already claimed as many as 10 lives in a matter of just a few months in Pakistan’s most populous city of Karachi.

Prevention is the key in this case because the mortality rate of the disease is extremely high. It has to be ensured that the water supply is chlorinated and the citizens are aware about the precautionary measures.

Abstaining from all water-related activities can prevent Naegleria infections, but for many people, this simply is not an option. There are other things people can do.

It’s strongly recommended to avoid swimming in still, warm, brackish water that has loose bottom sediment. Jumping or diving into the same type of water is also to be avoided. The brain-eating amoeba is often caught through swimming in infected water.

Wearing a nose clip or holding your nose if you jump or dive into relatively warm water lakes, rivers, pools or other similar bodies of water is advised since Naegleria Fowleri is transmitted by contaminated water entering the nose. It cannot be passed from person to person, however.

People are warned to avoid getting water too deep into their nostrils and make sure their water supply is properly treated. Those with symptoms are urged to seek help immediately without wasting any time.

The highest incidence of this disease occurs in the hot summer months in children and young adults, with males having the highest incidence of disease.

Naegleria Fowleri, which has a fatality rate of more than 98%, infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nasal membranes and destroys brain tissues. Symptoms are initially very mild, including a headache, stiff neck, fever and stomachache. Death usually occurs five to seven days after infection.

Naegleria Fowleri is an amoeba that lives in fresh water and soil. The organism goes through three stages in its life cycle: cysts, flagellates, and trophozoites. It is the trophozoite form that causes human disease.

Naegleria are ‘thermophilic’ meaning that they prefer warmer water. However, the cysts are able to survive for months in very cold water. Thus, Naegleria infection is found both in tropical and temperate climates.

Although there are many species of Naegleria, including Naegleria gruberi, only Naegleria fowleri causes human infection. There are other free-living amoebas that cause human disease, including Acanthamoeba.

The organism was officially discovered in Australia in 1965 by Dr M Fowler and Dr R Carter although it’s believed to have occasionally infected humans for centuries. Fortunately, humans are rarely infected with Naegleria fowleri.

The disease was first reported to have surfaced in Karachi, the commercial hub of the country, in 2006 but this year's outbreak has been deadlier making the citizens more concerned.

The awareness campaigns by the concerned authorities can help immensely in combating the deadly disease. The NGOs as well as the government sector should mobilize all their resources in spreading the precautionary measures that could save precious lives.