Steeped in tradition, KU looks to an even brighter future

City’s largest varsity hosts its 58th University Day amid much fanfare

KARACHI: It is a sight to behold. Thirty Huffaz-e-Quran [people who memorise Quran] march behind a cleric, followed by the Karachi University's vice-chancellor, who is in turn followed by faculty members and students, both old and those currently enrolled. This inimitable procession marches from the KU's Silver Jubilee gate and culminates at the old Convocation Ground, which now houses the New Arts Auditorium. By the time the procession reaches the Convocation Ground, the Huffaz-e-Quran have completed the recitation of the entire Holy Quran.

This decades-old tradition is repeated every January 18 to mark the KU's 'University Day'. It commemorates the day the varsity was shifted to its current campus. Back in 1960, a similar procession, led by renowned cleric Maulana Ehteshamul Haq Thanvi, had marked the shifting of the varsity's academic activities to the new 1,500-acre campus. At the time, there were only two to three departments, catering to a few hundred students. Today, the varsity - one of the country's largest - boasts 54 departments and thousands of students.



A day to reflect

Addressing the gathered crowd, KU VC Muhammad Ajmal Khan welcomed the new students and congratulated their parents. "Our standards have fallen lower than what we previously enjoyed," he admitted. And yet, all other varsities pale in comparison, he claimed. "Only the Karachi University boasts 450 Phd teachers," he said. "No varsity in Karachi or Pakistan has a larger PhD pool than KU. We have 54 departments, 16 institutes and competent staff," said Khan.

For Khan, January 18 was a day to reflect on how much "we lag behind and how much we have achieved".



Khan then went on to recount his achievements as vice-chancellor. "On taking charge, I learnt about various figures being misreported. The strength of the varsity was said to be 25,000, when there were actually 50,000 students enrolled," he said. "Besides, the varsity was quoted to have published 200 papers, which again turned out to be 1,600. We were under-reporting ourselves," he remarked.

The VC added that he made efforts to ensure that the admissions process was transparent and based on merit. "I have not been successful in revamping the examinations system like the admissions process, but we will fight the mafia behind it. Gradually, we are making progress and making examinations flawless," he said.

For the students, Khan had this advice: "Be the best you can be. Pakistan is in your hands. You have to take it ahead," he said. "Tomorrow, the nation will hold you accountable if you waste your time after enrolling at the varsity. Only, the lucky few are able to get enrolled at this varsity, and if you fail to avail the opportunity, you will be held accountable for it," he added.

New block inaugurated

VC Khan also acknowledged the participation of the Unikarians International - the KU's alumni association. The association's president, Prof Ejaz Ahmed Faruqi, formally inaugurated the Professor Ejaz Faruqi Block at the Department of Chemistry on Friday. The association had pledged funds and support for the construction of the block on the same day, a year earlier.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof Faruqi, who is a former president of the Arts Council of Pakistan and the Karachi Cricket Council, said, "I personally believe that credit of my success goes to Karachi University and all those who think like me, always try to participate in the varsity's development." He asked the students to serve KU after completing their education.



"This university needs support of friends of Karachi and philanthropists to bring further improvement and development at KU as this is everyone's university and the future of thousands of youngsters depends on how we treat them and what kinds of facilities are provided to them," said VC Khan.

He also appreciated role of the Department of Chemistry Chairman Professor Dr Majid Mumtaz, who decided to engage the alumni to complete necessary work at the department in the absence of funds.

Prof Mumtaz informed the audience that the whole project, which included construction of a new block and renovation of the department's auditorium, was completed in a mere six months.

"With new classrooms, a computer laboratory and a library, we will be able to overcome some of the major issues we were facing for the past several years."

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2019.