SSUET plans IT park for the city

Keeping in view the importance of IT, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology decides to open an IT park.

KARACHI: Keeping in view the importance of information technology, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), has decided to open an IT park in the city.

The plan to set up an IT park was discussed at the general body meeting of Aligrah Muslim University Old Boys’ Association held on Saturday. The annual report of the association was also presented and reviewed during the session.

The meeting was presided over by ZA Nizami, president of the association. Members gave their approval of the audit report carried out for the year 2009-10.

Presenting the report, the joint secretary of the association, Mukhtar Ahmed Naqvi, said that the university has allocated Rs6 million in its budget for the project and it would be the first technology park developed by the private sector in Pakistan.

He said that the estimated cost for the construction and development of the IT park is about Rs700 million. The park will have internet facilities, high speed broadband through optic fibre and satellite and video conferencing facilities. Moreover, facilities such as indoor games, gymnasium, cafeteria and dormitory accommodation will also be arranged to care for professional and technical staff working on projects that require overnight stays.

The park will also provide opportunities to the private sector for software development, business process outsourcing, establishment of call centres, technical support centres and hardware development and research centres, Naqvi added.

He said that the association worked hard to promote social, cultural, welfare and educational activities this year. They also managed to expedite the Sir Syed Town project. “All formalities for the construction of the town are about to be completed and the tender has been opened,” he said.

Naqvi appreciated the efforts of the association’s literary programmes and said that the association has republished unique books. He said that from 2003 to 2010, the total earning from selling books stands at around Rs.1.4 million against the expenditure of Rs744,550. “We gained around Rs636,073 in profits because of the efforts of Muhammad Zakir Khan, who has played a vital role in writing and printing of these books, including the 11th edition of Riwayat-e-Aligarh,” he added.

The report also highlighted the importance of the events that are celebrated by the association such as  Sir Syed Day,  which falls on October 17, cultural activities, the publication of their monthly Urdu Magazine “Tehzeeb” and other programmes.

On the occasion ZA Nizami said that the SSUET is the result of the efforts rendered by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, who established Aligarh College.

As many as 1,305 students were admitted into the university in 2008-9 and the number of the enrollments reached 1,584 in 2009-10. Similarly, the budget of the university was around Rs562 million in 2008-9, which has been enhanced to Rs598 million.

According to the report, this year 1,767 students were awarded scholarships. In addition, 194 students were provided financial assistance.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2010.