Vice Chancellor, SMIU
The Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) carries legacy of 140 years with credit of producing visionary leadership, educationists, sports champions; rather, I shall say icons of every field and top of everything, the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
However, being a university, the SMIU is just 12 years old, starting with 05 programs and 129 students; today it is running 16 programs, having a student population of around 6000 with around 100 faculty members out of which 42% are PhD holders and 200 supporting staff. Thus, the university has established its recognition and space at the provincial, national and international levels.
I always say that all the stakeholders of the university, including faculty, officers, and supporting staff, need to have a strong chemistry to produce a wonderful graduate, a groomed person, a human being, and henceforth, a responsible global citizen. Sindh Madressatul Islam University has taken all efforts to prove this mechanism.
It is in this connection that I preached at the 5th Asia-Europe Rectors' Conference held in the Czech Republic in 2016 that in the 21st century, institutes shall receive the students as their customers and send them off as quality products. My faculty and I are confident that the products we are sending into the mainstream of this country and the global stream are serving with utmost responsibility, integrity, and honesty.
Following is a brief overview of what SMIU has achieved during the last three and a half years:
Academic and Research Development:
SMIU's student population increased from 1,841 to 5,510 (199% increase, from 2018 to 2024).
During this period, the university launched 8 PhD and MS programs under NOC from HEC and 11 new BS programs.
g SMIU organised 11 international conferences, increased research projects from Rs 3.64 million to Rs 41 million (1023% increase), and established the Allama I I Kazi Library, Ibrahim Mullah Hi-Tech Lab, and the National Incubation Center (in collaboration with Punjab I.T. Board).
SMIU also signed 22 MoUs with national and international organisations, institutes, and universities, and organised two job fairs for students, resulting in 350 placement opportunities and more than 200 students qualifying for the next phase of appointment.
Additionally, the university achieved an international ranking (in the 401 to 600 range) on SDG #13 (Climate Action) and SDG #17 (Partnership for the Goals).
Administrative and Finance Development:
During this period, SMIU's own contribution increased from 17% to 49%.
The budget deficit reduced significantly (1056% decrease).
The university budget increased, and a separate grant of PKR 90 million was received for the SMIU Model School with the support of the Sindh Higher Education Commission and the Government of Sindh.
SMIU also established a new I.T. Block, University Development Office (UDO), a new cafeteria, and the Youth Development Center (YDC).
In addition to these facilities at its city campus, developmental work is progressing rapidly on its 100-acre land in Education City, Malir District, Karachi, with a federally funded development project. To promote green education and food security in the country, the university aims to open the Faculty of Horticulture and Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Food Sciences at the Malir Campus.
Let me acknowledge that the aforementioned developments of the institution could not have been possible without the continual support and trust of the Government of Sindh under the leadership of Honourable Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. I am also thankful to the Honourable Chairman of the Federal Higher Education Commission, Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, and Chairman of Sindh HEC, Prof Dr Tariq Rafi, for their persistent professional support during all these developments of the university. I am thankful to all supporting departments and particularly the Federal HEC, Sindh HEC, universities and boards department, and all sister universities for their contributions and support to this historic institute.