The Sindh Madressahtul Islam University on Thursday announced that it would start the process for inducting its first batch of students from September 17. The announcement coincided with a notification from the Higher Education Commission, saying the institution could now award degrees.
The first batch of 360 students is being offered admissions in six disciplines, with 60 seats each in business administration, computer science, education, environmental studies, English language and media studies.
Founded in 1885 by Khan Bahadur Hassanaly Bey Effendi (according to a commemorative plaque), the former Sindh Madressatul Islam School was awarded the status of a university this February.
Prospective students can collect admission forms from the university or 30 designated branches of the National Bank for a fee of Rs750. The entrance test for the university’s 360 seats is scheduled for November 17, with interviews of successful candidates set to take place from December 3 to 15.
According to the admissions criteria, an applicant’s performance in the interview will count for 40% of the total score, followed by the entrance test score (30%), intermediate result (20%) and matriculation result (10%).
For its journalism students, the university has commissioned a state-of-the-art TV studio for Rs10 million, which will be completed by next June. An FM radio station is also supposed to come on the airwaves by that time. The university’s vice chancellor, Dr Mohamamd Ali Skaikh, who completed his doctorate in mass communication from Karachi University, is proud that the institution acquired 15 PhD faculty members within six months. He added that SMUI has the distinction of being recognised by the HEC in the shortest period of time after its establishment.
Dean of business administration Dr Fouzia Naeem Khan claims that students will have Wi-Fi access throughout the campus, and “all classrooms have been equipped with air conditioners”.
The dean of computer science, Dr Safeeullah Soomro, believes that the university’s prime location, near the business heart of the city’s famous I I Chundrigar Road, will appear attractive to professionals and executives if they wanted to pursue further education. Morning and evening programmes in business administration, computer science and mass communication would particularly appeal to them, hoped Soomro. Students admitted to the university’s computer science department will have a chance to specialise in information security, artificial intelligence, computer networks and software engineering.
]With additional information by PPI
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2012.
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