Karachi: Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) has established itself as a prominent name in the academic sector through its focus on quality education and improved institutional services, according to Erum Akbar Ali Khan, chairperson of the Zakir Ali Khan Panel.
Addressing a gathering of women, Erum Akbar Ali Khan said attempts to damage the university’s reputation and prestige were unacceptable, stressing that differences of opinion should remain within the bounds of mutual respect and should not turn into hostility. Such conflicts, she said, could harm the institution’s standing while also putting the livelihoods of thousands of employees and the future of students at risk.
Recalling the Zakir Ali Khan Panel’s assumption of the university’s administration after winning the elections, she said the panel initially met the director of finance to assess SSUET’s financial position. At the time, they were informed that the university did not have sufficient funds to pay employees’ salaries for the following month.
She said the panel subsequently introduced a series of financial and administrative measures that enabled it to present a zero-deficit budget within 18 months. Pay scales were revised, resulting in significant salary increases for employees, while improved management and institutional initiatives contributed to record enrolment and helped strengthen the university’s financial position.
Erum said efforts to improve basic services also produced tangible savings. The availability of piped water, replacing the university’s reliance on costly tanker supplies, reduced expenses while improving a basic facility for the campus community.
She also highlighted the establishment of SSUET’s first daycare centre, describing it as an important step towards addressing the long-standing childcare needs of working women. The facility, she said, reflected the university’s broader commitment to the welfare of its employees and students alongside its academic responsibilities.
Erum Akbar Ali Khan also paid tribute to Muhammad Zakir Ali Khan, general secretary of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys’ Association, who served the organisation in an honorary capacity for more than five decades. She said his vision played a key role in the establishment of Sir Syed University and the Aligarh Institute, institutions that expanded access to higher and technical education for Karachi’s middle-class population and helped address a sense of deprivation among young people.
Registrar Lt. Col. Jamshaid Ali called for political differences to be kept separate from the university’s institutional affairs, saying collective efforts should remain focused on its advancement and development.
He said the university administration was committed to providing quality education while ensuring a safe, conducive and pleasant environment for students and employees. The institution, he added, would continue pursuing initiatives aimed at academic improvement and sustainable development.