Useful technology: KU students exhibit their innovative software

Websites and applications developed to aid people in their daily lives

KARACHI: Students of Karachi University’s (KU) computer science department exhibited their skills in the field of information technology (IT) at a software exhibition at the varsity hosted by the Shaikh Zayed Islamic Centre on Saturday.

The students came up with different concepts and implemented them by developing different websites and Android applications. The most unique concept of the bunch was a website on the Tibb-e-Nabvi – medical practices explained by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) – that was developed by Samyya and Mehreen Nabi.

Samyya told The Express Tribune that the reason why they developed this website is because people do not know a lot about curing illnesses with the help of herbs and alternative therapies as the Holy Prophet did. She said it took them two months to execute their idea.

A visitor to the exhibition, Aaliya Ahmed, disclosed that while all the projects on display were great, she thought the Tibb-e-Nabvi project was the most unique and appealing.

Organiser and event host Sheikh Adnan, a lecturer at the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre, said there are 20 projects on display and proudly stated that this was the exhibition’s twentieth year.

A similar website, DockKnock, was developed by Mehak Shakeel and Nashra Ghauri, which enables patients to contact doctors online regarding whichever disease or illness they are suffering from.

The Science of Stupid, a website developed by Nida Shahid and Kehkashan Amin, attracted the most number of children, as it contained scientific information for kids paired with science games. Shahid said that through the project, she aims to make it easier for children to learn science. She was inspired to develop the website when she noticed her younger siblings having difficulties learning the subject.

Modern technology has now become a necessity rather than a facility, said KU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Qaiser while inaugurating the software exhibition.

Dr Qaiser said that modern technology has revolutionised the field of education and now unlimited knowledge is just a click away. He added that traditional office materials have been replaced by computers and other gadgets.

The vice-chancellor said that the contemporary age is that of information technology and it is a matter of great delight that KU students are playing a vital role in the promotion of IT culture in the country. They are capable of developing software that meets international standards, he assured.

The acting director of the Shaikh Zayed Islamic Centre, Prof Dr Abida Perveen, said that technology, especially computer science, has revolutionised the daily lives of the common man. She said IT has made this world a global village due to its inventions. She said students must play their part in order to develop Pakistan’s IT sector so that we can compete with the developed nations of the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2016.