Hyderabad: Hyderabad Division Commissioner Fayyaz Hussain Abbasi said that individuals like Dr A. Q. Ansari are institutions in themselves, guiding society through their knowledge, research and character.
He expressed these views while addressing a condolence reference held in memory of Professor Dr Abdul Qadir (A. Q. ) Ansari, the founding Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh.
He said that Dr Ansari chose to serve his homeland and people instead of pursuing better opportunities abroad, dedicating his academic and research abilities to the nation’s progress.
The event was organised jointly by the Sindhi Language Authority and the University of Sindh at Dr N. A. Baloch Hall.
Prominent educationists, intellectuals and scholars from across Sindh paid glowing tribute to Dr Ansari’s outstanding contributions to education, research, institution-building and academic administration.
Commissioner Abbasi said that personalities like Dr A. Q. Ansari serve as institutions that enlighten society with knowledge and awareness.
He noted that after completing his PhD, Dr Ansari could have settled abroad and enjoyed a prosperous life, but instead chose to bring his knowledge back to his own people.
He described Dr Ansari as a multidimensional personality who taught the values of discipline, humility and selfless service.
He emphasised that universities should regularly organise such programmes in their auditoriums so that students and teachers can learn from the lives and achievements of such remarkable personalities.
Presiding over the event, University of Sindh Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Fatah Marri said that Dr A. Q. Ansari was an honest and upright individual who laid the foundations of major institutions, with Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, being one of the finest examples.
He recalled that the university buildings were constructed under Dr Ansari’s supervision, yet his name does not appear on any of them because he always maintained that they were built with public funds, not his personal wealth.
He said Dr Ansari was an eminent educationist, agricultural scientist, researcher, writer and administrator, and proposed the establishment of a chair in his name while stressing the need to continue organising such programmes for future generations.
Sindh Madressatul Islam University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mujeeb Sahrai said it was a historic day when three colleges and campuses were simultaneously upgraded into universities, namely Mehran University, Sindh Agriculture University and NED University Karachi.
He said, it was a period full of challenges, but Dr S. M. Qureshi, Dr A. Q. Ansari and Dr A. M. Akhund faced those challenges with determination, resulting in the successful institutions that exist today. He added that Dr Ansari’s services were vast and enduring. Having himself served as Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University, he acknowledged that the university’s foundations had been laid by Dr Ansari and called for academic chairs to be established in his honour.
Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Altaf Ali Siyal said that Dr Ansari, as the university’s founding Vice Chancellor, demonstrated how a new institution could be successfully developed.
He established three faculties that remained intact for four decades, while the fourth faculty has only recently been established. He described Dr Ansari as an outstanding researcher and administrator whose books and research papers continue to testify to his scholarly excellence. His research, he said, extended beyond his own discipline and greatly benefited society and the public.
Chairman of the Sindhi Language Authority Dr Sher Mehrani said that Dr Ansari possessed countless qualities and seemed to have been born to work. Although he was a scientist, he compiled an excellent dictionary of scientific terminology to connect people with scientific knowledge, seeking guidance from scholars and literary figures in the process. He added that true honour comes through one’s services to society. Despite heading several institutions, Dr Ansari never stayed in official residences and remained a humble public servant.
Dr Ansari’s son, Special Secretary to the Government of Sindh Zain Ansari, said that what matters in life is not how many moments one lives, but how much life is contained in every moment. He said every moment of his father’s life had purpose.
Dr Ansari was extremely punctual, even reporting to work at 7:30 a. m. the day after his wedding. He added that his father belonged not only to his family but to the entire nation, as those who attain greatness become assets of society.
Renowned researcher Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi said that although today’s scientific and digital age offers abundant resources, Dr Ansari rendered exceptional services at a time when facilities were extremely limited. He successfully led several institutions and also made valuable contributions to the Mohenjo-daro Committee.
Agricultural researcher Dr Ismail Kumbhar described Dr Ansari as a distinguished scientist, researcher and administrator who laid the foundations of academic and research traditions. He said such personalities are born once in centuries and continue to inspire generations.
Director of the Allama I. I. Qazi Chair at the University of Sindh, Dr Makhmoor Bukhari, said that the services and ideas of personalities who contribute to nation-building should be passed on to younger generations. He said Dr Ansari spent his entire life devoted to knowledge, truth, principles and integrity while always remaining connected to his people.
The condolence reference was also addressed by Dr Khalil, Professor Rashida Bhatti, Dr Naheed Baloch and Professor Anwar Ali Shah.