New academic session begins at KU

Following the decades-old tradition of Karachi University (KU), as many as 30 Huffaz-e-Quran entered the campus from its Silver Jubilee Gate while reciting the Holy Quran on Wednesday to formally mark the University Day, welcome new students and commence the new academic session.

The Huffaz started reciting the Holy Quran before entering the campus and completed the entire Quran while stepping onto the lawn in front of the new Administration Building.

The procession was followed by the old and newly enrolled students of the varsity, KU’s Alumni Association, Unikarians International, acting KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, KU Registrar Professor Dr Saleem Shahzad, deans, members of the Senate and the Syndicate, student’s advisor, teachers and administrative staff.

The former vice chancellor of the varsity, Professor Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, told the students that the KU had produced many great teachers, scholars, scientists, politicians and businessmen.

He said at the time of independence, there were only three universities in the country which were established hardly six months before the creation of Pakistan. The KU was the first higher education institute after the partition and the fourth university in the country. It was established as a federal university but after an amendment, it was made a provincial university.

Dr Qasim shared the KU’s rank in Natural Science research was quite high and its teachers were serving tirelessly despite meager resources. He advised the students to focus on their studies and work hard because they have to take part in the development of the country. “I always feel proud that I am a Muslim, a Pakistani and a former student of the University of Karachi. This is my identification.”

President Unikarians International Prof Ejaz Ahmed Faruqi said that newcomers might not be aware of the fact that the KU would play a major role in their character building and these students would serve the country after completing their studies.

President KU Teachers Society Professor Dr Anila Amber Malik said asked the new students to focus on their studies and try to implement what they would learn at the university to eradicate poverty and play their role in bringing about meaningful changes in Pakistan.

The vice chancellor welcomed the new students and said that they were lucky to become part of the country’s largest university which had over 50 departments, more than 20 research centres. “Our campus represents the whole of Pakistan as it has people from almost all cities in the country.”