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For man who drafted Pakistan’s first IT policy, an honorary degree
Dr Zaidi was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2007.
Dr Zaidi was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2007. PHOTO: INTERNET
The man who drafted Pakistan’s first IT policy, Dr S M Junaid Zaidi, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, said a press release issued on Tuesday.
Dr Zaidi, awarded the prestigious Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2007, is the founding rector of the Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), which was chartered by the government in 2000 and has grown to have campuses in seven cities, over 20,000 students and 2,500 faculty members.
Dr Zaidi’s professional experience spans 36 years, said the press release. His expertise ranges from devising Build-Operate-Transfer mechanisms to Technology Commercialization and Utilization, Project Planning & Management, Industrial Information Networking, Operations Research, System Designing, Technology Policy Analysis, Technology Monitoring & Forecasting and Technology Transfer.
He holds a doctorate in Optimisation of Algorithms on Networking from the University of Birmingham in England. Before CIIT, Dr Zaidi served in many distinguished high profile positions at the United Nations (UN) and in the Government of Pakistan, said the press release.
In his time with the UN, Dr Zaidi served as an adviser to the Malaysian government and later at the UN ESCAP Asia and Pacific Centre, where he was part of advisory missions to Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam as a UN expert on IT and helped them establish their technology transfer and industrial technology information systems.
He also wrote two concept papers for the government and Comsats, which led to the establishment of the Virtual University and Comsats Internet Services.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2012.
Reader Comments (87)
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He is a great teacher as well.
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Congratulation SIR!Recommend
MashaAllah Dr.Zaidi Sb, Possess great leadership qualities,Person with innovations and ideas.Congrats to you Dr.Zaidi Sb.
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his degrees are real?
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Thanks to his IT policy, Pakistan is now a leader in distance education. Pakistan Virtual University has been recognized with the Outstanding New Site Award 2012 for an Open CourseWare website which was created last year. Founded in 2002, Virtual University of Pakistan has so far contributed 138 courses on a wide range of subjects since joining the OpenCouseWare consortium. These courses include free and open digital publications of high quality educational materials for colleges and universities.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/04/pak-virtual-u-wins-top-ocw-award.html
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He got it as COMSAT has some arrgement for under-graduate students and giving hon degree does not harm an old man;-)
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Would have been better if we had a small summary of the policy… This is more like putting up his CV. Qudos to Mr. Zaidi anyways.
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Our IT industry is much bigger , we don’t confer degrees for simply policy making, infact we produce such talent which is there in the international arena from USA to UAE and from Germany to Russia to help and aid their economic growth. USA and Israel are our biggest alleys.
Pakistan lags behind like 30 years from us (minimum)
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Heartily Congratulations Sir….
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Good achievement and have to keep moving forward Inshallah
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Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations,Congratulations
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may be he is a good teacher or researcher but he isn’t a good administrator … even worse can beat him … but as he had a very strong social circle around him so he is surviving … and the same mentality of not leaving his seat and considering himself a very essential part of … and not letting the organizational structure grow .. are his “great” achivments.
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Honorable Sir
please accept my heartily congrates.
Regards
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Dr.Zaidi Sb, Possess great leadership qualities,Person with innovations and ideas.
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HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS for the award of DOCTOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE to Dr. JUNAID ZAIDI.
The rapid Growth and Recongintion of COMSATS is one of the biggest achievements of Dr Zaidi. He is really the Visionary Personality and the Celebrity. Pakistan needs such personalities at the Planning Commission level as well. May he live long, Aameen.
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A great person indeed. I have taken his lectures and i know how much brilliant he is. Even tough i have seen that Nepotism is in his blood and many people are unhappy with him in CIIT because of out of turn promotions of one Caste over others just like Other Pakistanis but overall he is a good person.
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@Raja Hinudstani:
Mr: You should have read this article with open eyes,The Degree was conferred upon by Lancaster University UK. Infact, He is the man who has changed the fate of thousands indeed.
You talk of any University in the world and his faculty member is there.Inshaallah under the visionary leadership of Dr Zaidi sb,sooner we will be ahead from you very soon.
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Dr Junaid Zaidi, is not only a highly qualified person but he is man of principle. I admire him as a great scholar and person with vision who wants to bring his country and its people at par with rest of advanced nations. COMSATS is just the begining of his plans !!
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Congratulations Sir, The world now recognizes your efforts.
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Are you sure that his roots are from Pakistan?
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@sam:
what nonsense, grow up!
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@Raja Hinudstani Your comments shows the obsession and complex that you suffer from. What does this article has to do with you country? Why are you even here on Pakistani news site if you are so high and mighty stick to your news sites.Recommend
@Riaz Haq:
Thanks for sharing info on the virtual university of Pakistan. I was sort of surprised by the breadth of content. It is certainly a commendable effort.
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@Asad:
maybe hes got bored with the news of assam upset.. grow up raja sahab.. its not a matter of quantity.. its of quality!!
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He is a great man…..!!!
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Lancaster university has collaberation with Comsat for offering two degrees for the price of one. Lancaster charges for this and makes money so they give the oldman a honorary degree.
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Rector Sahib, we are proud of you sir.
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he is a great man he is my teacher best of luck sir :)
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Dr. S.M Junaid Zaidi, Rector COMSATS Institute has extra ordinary qualities and inter personal skills. He is the pioneer in IT sector in Pakistan and has been able to establish seven fully functional campuses of COMSATS Institute in different cities of Pakistan. He is really the “Sir Syed” of the present day in Pakistan.
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Dr S. M. Junaid Zaidi is a man of excellence. He really deserves it and many congrats to him for this marvelous achievement!!
This is one of the steps and still there are miles to go before we sleep :)
All time good luck for Him !!!Recommend
Dear Sir,
Heartiest congragulation…..May Allah bless all of us.ameen
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REALLY A GREAT HONOR….CONGRATULATIONSsss SIR. Thank you for making all of us soooo PROUD… You truelly deserve it and much more INSHALLAH. May Allah bless you always… Ameen
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heartiest congratulations sir….. may Allah bless uRecommend
REALLY A GREAT HONOR….CONGRATULATIONSsss SIR. Thank you for making all of us soooo PROUD… You truelly deserve it and much more INSHALLAH. May Allah bless you always… AmeenRecommend
CONGRATLATIONS SIR!!! :)
We are proud of you.
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The man who saw tomorrow. Excellent teacher, leader, administrator, friend and what not. He made ciit in top 10 in Pakistan in a short span of 12 years. It is his vision that you can find his faculty and students working in reputed universities like MIT, UNC, UIUC and MNC such as Microsoft etc.
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congrats to the great man………..
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Cogratulation Sir , We are proud as a nation , you have excllent leadership good administator, and best teacher ,a man of vision and humble in nature ,Your truly deserved it May Allah bless all of us.ameen
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Many congrats to Sir Junaid Zaidi. We consider ourselves lucky to have him at our time in CIIT. Proud to be a graduate from Comsats..
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Congratulation. It is the honour for all Pakistani and particularly the COMSATS working class.Dr. Zaidi is a person who can see the forest from a distance and can count its trees at the same time.We are proud of his Rectorship for COMSATS. We pray for his good health and long life. Ameen.
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It’s a great moment not only for Dr. Zaidi but also for COMSIANS and the whole community of science and technology. He is really a role model for many individuals and institutes as well. A bundle of congratulations to Dr. Zaidi.
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respected Sir:Heartiest Congratulations: You are really a great asset for the entire nation. Allah Almighty bless you with many many more successes in life. Ameen
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Heartiest Congratulations Sir! a great honour indeed.You are a role model for generations to come.
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Many congrats to Sir Junaid Zaidi. REALLY A GREAT HONOR.
Thank you for making all of us so PROUD.You truelly deserve it and much more INSHALLAH.
May Allah bless you always… Ameen
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Its a matter of great honor for COMSIANS that worthy rector`s enlighted leadership placed the CIIT on the highway of success. Thumbs up for his efforts for the nation……
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CONGRATULATIONS.
Thank you for making all of us soooo PROUD… You truelly deserve it and much more INSHALLAH. May Allah bless you always… Ameen
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[link text][1] Congratulations to Lancaster University for selecting Dr.Junaid Zaidi
for this rightfully deserved honor.
He is indeed an outstanding personalty with great contributions in the field of IT and Education.
He a dynamic,visionary and inspiring leader who is a man of principle and is respected by all around him.
Congratulations to all Pakistani nation in general and CIIT community in particular for this great honor bestowed upon Dr. Syed Muhammad Junaid Zaidi,Rector CIIT.
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This article only provides partial information about achievements of Rector, CIIT,.
However it is a moment of joy for Comsatians that his services to Pakistan receives international recognition from no less an authority than the Lancaster University, UK. Masha Allah,
Many Many congratulations. As the CIIT continues its successful journey, We pray for more similar events at International fora in future.
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Can we actually see this actual policy? These are self promoting administrators who have not accomplished anything substantial in research. He is also known for his nepotism for example handing scholarships to his relatives.
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We are proud of you sir. May ALLAH bless you with faith and health
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I found this “person” whose trait is humility, whose tolerance matches to non others, who cares for everyone and who love his nation, he sings national anthem and makes others do the same. This is the person who has devoted his life to the national cause. He has made no less contribution to the nation than any contemporary leader. Other nations recognise his contributions—-so the honour.
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My heartiest congratulations to Dr Zaiadi and I wish that he continues to serve Pakistan in thh years to come.
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My heartiest Congratulations to our visionary reactor Prof. Dr. Syed Muhammad Junaid Zaidi, may Allah award him with more respect and honor in years to come!
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My inspiration and surely, for many more, having magnificent leadership qualities.
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First of all Congrats Sir G !!! Can someone show the policy which is made by Dr. Zaidi… Then i will be able to see what actually my teacher has done
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GREAT HONOR….CONGRATULATIONS SIR.
Thank you for making PAKISTAN PROUD…May you keep on going like this Ameen
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Thank you for making Pakistan PROUD… May You Keep on going… Ameen
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dear sir heartfelt congrats to you
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God select special people and assign special tasks for the service of the humanity. IT policy is for the modern age a blessing for ever. May Allah protect you from all ill wills and keep you healthy.
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Congratulations to Respectable S.M.J.Zaidi…..He is among one of the best leader who lead COMSATS on the path of success in such a short period of time….I wish him to be a Rector of COMSATS for further 10 years…God Bless him…
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Heartiest Congratulations Sir. It is matter of great honour for COMSIANS and for Pakistan.
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He has awsome personality having both name and fame of international repute. He is loving, sympothized and cooperative in nature. may almighty Allah bless him good health for the sake of developing our institute.
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Respected Sir
Heartiest congratulation. We are proud of you and feel honored to serve under your dynamic leadership.May Allah bless you with health and prosperity. Ameen
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DOCTOR OF SCIENCE Degree is a Great Honor for Dr Junaid Zaidi, his family, COMSATS and the Country. His contributions in IT and Education are marvelous. May he has more and more successes in life, Aameen.
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Weldone sir, It is a great honour for all of us as we arrive from differnt boats but now we are on the same ship. we rise together. May Allah bless upon us.Recommend
Welldone Sir, It is a great pleasure for us, as we are on the same ship. Together we rise (Inshallah).Recommend
Very Dear and Honourable Sir,
We are specially thankfull to All Mighty Allah for being COMSIAN and having the comand of Dr. SM Junaid Zaidi,and his fellows Dr. Haroon Rashid, Dr. Khan Gul Khan Jadoon,Dr. Shahid Ahmed Khan,Dr.Mehmood Ahmed Bodla and all other respected professors Doctors and researchers.
All are working under your kind controle and providing their life time services to the people of Pakistan.
Sir we are really proud to be your under command.
My speciall pray for you and all of my respectives may All mighty Allah give them all happiness of life and they should be remeber in this world till the day of judgment. Amin Sum Amin.
Muhammad Gulzar
Sports Officer
COMSATS ABBOTTABAD
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For sports update please visit:http://citcsolutions.com/gallery/index.php
youtube link :Comsats Abbottabad(Top rank Engineering Univer
Congratulation
It is a great honour for all Pakistani and specially for the COMSIANS .Dr. SM Junaid Zaidi is a great person who can do any thing and handle the sititution at any time in any circomistances.
We are proud of as an employ of COMSATS.
I pray to All Mighty Allah for his good health and long life of Dr. SM Junaid Zaidi ,and all of his followers Ameen.
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Dr. S.M.Junaid Zaidi truly deserves this honor.
He loves Pakistan and inspired many like us to stay and serve our beloved country.
Congratulations to every one at Comsats University.
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Heartfelt congratulations Sir!! May you have many more ahead. Amen
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A great human being indeed
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Congratulation Sir on globally appreciation
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Dr. Junaid Zaidi is recognized for his services in the form of CIIT and its phenomenal growth. He is committed to the cause of education, works, tirelessly, to his level best to inspire and achieve. I am happy about the honorary degree as an acknowledgment of dedicated services rendered by him in the field of science and society, in Pakistan. Congrats with best wishes for future.
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congratulations zaidi sahab. Its a great honour for our country and specifically for comsats faculty and students.
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Congratulations Zaidi sahab. Its a great honor for our country and specifically for comsats faculty and students.
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We are proud of such great leadership. Congrats Sir!
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Its seems that Mr Zaidi has inspired so many people around him.
Its good to see so many students from Comsats here at this platform, you educated people will change this country. By the way, am not a student of Comsats neither i have studied IT, its just that i recognised the importance of IT in the development of any country.
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Outstanding and excellent achievement in the field of IT. His contributions are numerous in the various fields of Education and will have a lasting impact over national policy,
Many many congratulations to Dr. Zaidi, CIIT, and to all Pakistani Nation.
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Many many heartfelt congratulations to every body in Pakistan
We are proud to be the colleagues of Dr.Junaid Zaidi
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CONGRATULATIONS
Excellent teacher, leader, administrator. im proud of you sir.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/islamabad/27-Jul-2012/illegal-appointments-funds-embezzlement-revealed
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What shocks me is not the appreciation for dr Zaidi but the honor or prestige that commentors are placing on an honorary degree from a university in UK. Is the height of achievement defined by Lancaster u’s award or his work in Pakistan? What kind of national criteria is that? Many IT leaders from across the borders, as a part of their philanthropic and voluntary work are courted by various U.S. and UK univs to sit on their governance boards as university trustees. So honor him for his accomplishments not a rather mundane honor in the larger scheme of things really.
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Pakistan is too large and talented of a nation to be gloating about some honorary degree from a UK university – for god’s sake, to we have the slightest clue as per what’s meant by real accomplishment?
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Respected Sir, Many many congratulations ….. May Allah bless COMSATS with such honors in future.
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congrates sir.
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Warmly Welcome Sir, Congratulations to you from the core of my heart……..Sir when you will Open the COMSATS University Campus in the Premises of Baluchistan,we would like to see ASAP COMSATS in Quetta ,We welcome you there please explore the IT Knowledge in Balochistan as well,as CIIT Chancellor also belongs to Balochistan please take help from him and open the Campus .
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Raja Hindustani,
no wonder hillary clinton made fun of u indians in a media, go and see it on youtube yourself.
The reason why you have big IT industry is because India has 2nd largest population and India has never suffered the kind of problems that Pak has.
The 1st PC virus was made in Pakistan in 1986. Many Pakistanis have contributed in IT,
Do you know that Umar Saif of LUMS Univ has been ranked by MIT as 1 of the top 35 innovators in the world.
If you really believe that India has better then Pak in everything then how come 270 Indian websites were hacked by Pakistanis in reply to the 40 Pakistani websites that were hacked by Indians?Even your own media was crying when more than 200 Indian websites were hacked.
Mashallah recently Pakistan has made an IPad.
Millions of Indians donot have access to clean water and public toilets, go and read your own news.1st look after your own people.
you all the time just talk about your greatness although many indians are driving taxies in US, in Dubai and Saudia Arab.Recommend