Sir
Syed Memorial Society
Islamabad.
(Founded in 1984)Our Mission:
Education for Character Building in order to produce dedicated Leaders.
Our Vision:
Make Pakistan a Powerful, Islamic, Democratic, Progressive and Welfare State. Emancipation of the Pakistani Youth through latest and progressive Technical Education. Harnessing youth's potentials enabling them to face the challenges of the new millennium.
Our Goal:
Establishment of Sir Syed University (SSU) Islamabad.
Our Partners:
Engineering Educational Trust (EET), Islamabad.
Our Motto:
"Education does not merely mean academic education..... You have to build the character of our future generation which means highest sense of honour, integrity, selfless service to the nation and a sense of responsibility."
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah."There is nothing so powerful as an idea whose time has come".
Victor Hugo:
AN INTRODUCTION
SIR SYED AHMED KHAN
The outstanding services rendered by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-1898) for the renaissance of the Muslims of the sub-continent are well known. Sir Syed is universally acknowledged as a savior of the Muslims of the subcontinent and as a founder of Pakistan alongwith Allama Sir Muhammad Iqbal (1877- 1938) and Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948). Sir Syed being a far-sighted visionary, diagnosed lack of modem education and scientific knowledge as the main cause of the decline and fall of the Muslim Empire in India. Being a reformer par excellence, Sir Syed set about to stop the degeneration of a nation by initiating a series of practical steps such as:-
• Establishment of "The Scientific Society" to translate useful scientific English books into Urdu (1862).
• Commencement of publication of "The Aligarh Institute Gazette"(1866}.
• Commencement of the publication of "The Social Reformer"
(Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq) (1870).
• Establishment of "Committee Demanding Improvement of Education of Muslims" (1870).
• Establishment of School (Madrisa-tul-Uloom) at Aligarh (1875).
• Raising the status of the School to that of M.A.O. College – (1877).
• Establishment of "The Mohammadan Educational Conference (1886).
The Mohammadan Educational Conference provided a common platform from which the Muslims of the subcontinent could seek solutions to their problems as a nation. Pursuant to the decision at the annual session of the Mohammadan Educational Conference held at Lahore in 1898, the MAO college was eventually raised to the level of a university under the Aligarh Muslim University Act, 1920. The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) became not only a centre of excellence in education but "the Arsenal of Muslim India" which spearheaded' the historic movement for the creation of Pakistan- separate homeland for the 100 million Muslims of the subcontinent.
SIR SYED MEMORIAL SOCIETY
ISLAMABAD
Aligarh Old Boys Association (AOBA) was formed in 1978 with Ambassador Mumtaz Ali (ALIG) as its President. With the passage of time it was found wanting due to changed dynamics and circumstances. To infuse dynamism and to cope with the changed circumstances, it was decided to enlarge its spectrum. Considering the urgent need for improvement in the educational, moral and ethical standards of the younger generations in Pakistan and realizing the importance of having a forum for discussion to achieve national unity and cohesion and to help build sound character of the Pakistani youth, the AOBA decided to launch the Sir Syed Memorial Society (SSMS) at Islamabad" on 5 May 1984 with Major General (Retd) Syed Ali Nawab (ALIG) as its first President and Brigadier Iqbal M Shafi (ALIG) as Honorary Secretary General. The Society is a non-political, non sectarian and non-commercial Educational NGO duly registered in Pakistan along with its approved constitution. The membership of the Society is open to all those who subscribe to its Aims and Objectives which are:
• To safeguard, promote and consolidate the Ideology of Pakistan and to build the Character of the Pakistani youth according to the guidelines of Faith, Unity and Discipline as bequeathed by the father of the nation.
• To build a suitable memorial of Sir Syed in Islamabad and manage its finances, designing, construction and maintenance.
• To carry forward the Educational Mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in Pakistan by promoting a blend of Islamic values and scientific and technological excellence; and to strive for the establishment of the Sir Syed University, Islamabad.
Membership. The membership shall be of two categories:-.
• Life Membership: Rs 1000/-.
• Donor Members: Rs 10,000/-or more
All members shall have the same right of vote, but the DONOR Members shall be given added recognition by having their names inscribed on marble slabs to be fixed in the Sir Syed Memorial Complex Building.
Subscription and Donations. The bank drafts or crossed cheques as donations or membership fee in favour of The Sir Syed Memorial Society, Islamabad "may be sent at the address of the Society.
Tax Exemption. Subscription and donations to Sir 'Syed Memorial Society, Islamabad, are exempted from Income Tax, vide CBR No 7I(54)IT-V, dated October 1st,1985.
Funds. The funds of the Society shall consist of subscriptions from members, donations, grants, loans, etc. The funds of the Society shall be kept in scheduled bank or savings institution approved by the Executive Committee. The accounts of the society shall be operated jointly by the President and the Treasurer. In the absence of either, the Vice President or the Secretary General may be authorized by the Executive Committee to operate the accounts jointly with President or the Treasurer.
Audit. The accounts of the society shall be audited once a year by a Chartered Accountant of repute to be appointed by the Executive Committee.
Annual Report. The Executive Committee shall, at the end of each financial year, prepare an annual report on working of the Society bringing out the activities during the year and place the same before meeting of the General Body within 120 days on the expiry of the financial year. The annual report shall also contain the audited statement of accounts for the next year.
LEADERSHIP AND STRUCTURAL HIERARCHY
Founding Members: The Founding Members are those who played a pivotal in the formulation of the Society on 5 May 1984 and nurtured it to a gradual maturity. They are:
• Major General Syed Ali Nawab (Late).
• Mr S Musharrafuddin (Late).
• Brigadier Iqbal M Shafi
• Dr Tahir Hussain
• Begum Fitma Farhee Rahman
• Brigadier Iqbal Ahmad Khan (Late)
• Syed Sibghatullah Fatmi (Late)
• Syed Muhammad (Late)
• Mr Hamid Hassan Siddiqui (Late)
• Mr Qmar ul Hassan Qureshi
• Mr Anees Hussain Zaidi (Late)
.Presidents: The Society has three Presidents so far. They are listed below in the chronological sequences of their incumbency;
• Major General Syed Ali Nawab (Late) 1984 -1992
• Syed Ahmad Masood 1992 - 1999
• Brigadier Iqbal M Shafi 1999 - to date
Patrons and Office Bearers
Patron-In-Chief The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the ex-officio Patron-in-Chief of the Society.
Patrons. (in alphabetical order)
Dr. A.Q. Khan
Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman,
Begum Nadira Panwani
Lt General Shabzada Yaqub Ali Khan
Mr. Zakir Ali Khan
Mr. Z.A. Nizami
Office Bearers
Brig Iqbal M. Shafi Honorary President
Dr. Tahir Husain Honorary Vice President
Dr. Shoab A Khan Honorary Secretary General
Engineer Khalid Durrani Honorary Treasurer
Dr. M.D. Shami Advisor SSMS – Member EC
Engr. Saleem A Khan Director Coordination – Member EC
Mr Wali Muhammad Member SSMS – Member EC
Officials
Major (R) Mumtaz Hussain Shah Director Media
Lt Col (R) Muhammad Saif Ullah Aziz Manager Administration
SIR SYED MEMORIAL COMPLEX
Committed to the memory of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the Memorial has become a forum for seminars, symposia, discussions and research aimed at devising ways and means for national improvement especially in the field of education. In particular, the Memorial has become a focal point for generating ideas through which our younger generations would inculcate Knowledge, Character and Spirit required for safeguarding the Ideological Frontiers of Pakistan and for promoting scientific enquiry and technological excellence so essential for the survival and progress of Pakistan as a united and strong nation.In order to achieve this objective, the Sir Syed Memorial Society (SSMS) and the Engineering Education Trust (EET) are jointly engaged with renewed vigor to strengthen the Scientific and Technological base of the Nation. Currently, emphasis in the Scientific and Technological field is on Information Technology and Skill Development, Computers, Information Technology, Software Engineering and Telecommunication Engineering are steering the course of nations at large in their quest for independence, self reliance and economic survival which is crucial for the progress in all sectors of economy. Demand for Computer Scientists, Engineers and System Analysts the world over is increasing by the hour, and Pakistan is no exception.
SIR SYED UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD
The Sir Syed University is a project of the Sir Syed Memorial Society, Islamabad. Motivation for establishing this University came initially from, the Government of Pakistan at a time when it provided land and matching funds for the Sir Syed Memorial in 1984. The concept of the University and that of the Memorial was conceived by the Centra1 Aligarh Old Boys Association Islamabad in 1979 as a befitting tribute to the invaluable services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in leading the Muslims of the subcontinent to educate themselves along modem scientific lines. The Association also kept in mind not only the urgent need for inculcating among the youth of the country moral and ethical values but also transformation of the nation into a cohesive entity. The Society established in the Memorial premises, a Pakistan Movement Centre School and college students and their teachers come regularly to receive education in the Islamic values, in the Ideology of Pakistan, in Character Building, in Service to the Nation and in Sense of Responsibility.The proposed Sir Syed University, Islamabad, plans to make its contribution as a non political, non sectarian and non commercial educational NGO by offering education and skills to the youths. It aims to strive towards the development of the students not only as technical experts but also as honourable and responsible citizens dedicated to the service to Nation.As a non political, non sectarian, non profit educational NGO duly registered in Pakistan, the Sir Syed Memorial Society has had the blessings of the Government of Pakistan right from the outset to establish the Sir Syed University in Islamabad. The University will provide education and skills leading to BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering and Technology as well as in Basic Sciences (Natural Sciences, Social Sciences). Following in the footsteps of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, it aims to pursue the following objectives:
• To safeguard, promote and consolidate the Ideology of Pakistan according to the guidelines of Faith, Unity and Discipline as envisioned by the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
• To carry forward the educational mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan by promoting a blend of Islamic Values and Scientific and Technological excellence.
• To build the Character of our Youth by providing a unique environment in a residential set up to promote brotherhood, tolerance, sportsman's spirit and leadership qualities that are essential for steering the nation towards a destiny characterized by Islam and aspired by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam.
Quality of Education.
In order to ensure quality of education, Sir Syed University will adhere to the following principles:-
• Documentation of courses to be taught.
• Regular monitoring of educational standards.
• Selection of latest text books.
• Establishment of laboratories for introducing new technologies.
• Student feedback mechanism.
• Selection of outstanding faculty to serve as Role Models.
• Establishment of clubs to encourage healthy co-curricular academic activities and organized games.
Location of the University.The Sir Syed Institute of Technology and School of Engineering are presently located in the Sir Syed Memorial Society Complex at 19 Ataturk Avenue, G-5/1, Islamabad. These will eventually move to the picturesque University Town on the outskirts of Islamabad. Here the faculty members will have ample opportunity to interact with their students in the Halls of Studies, Dinning Hall and on the Playing Fields.
Selection of Students and Performance. Selection of students for various degree programs will be based purely on merit. They will be selected through talent hunt. Financial support will be provided to deserving students both on the basis of merit and need. A code of conduct has been drafted to ensure that the students do not engage in political, ethnic, sectarian immoral or other undesirable activities. Student governance shall be ensured by selecting suitable senior students to exercise vigilance on student’s conduct and discipline as proctorial monitors under the patronage of a Senior Professor designated as the University Proctor. Public sector universities alone can neither meet the growing national demands for scientifically proficient manpower nor can they provide employment to the youth with emoluments commensurate with the training acquired by them. The private sector has to play a major role and fortunately, it has responded positively. The Sir Syed University plans to make its contribution as a non-commercial academic institution by offering education and skills to the nation's youth. It aims to strive towards development of the students not only as technical experts but also as honorable and responsible citizens. It also aims to be a model of Public-Private Educational Enterprises. The Sir Syed University will be a residential institution where character building will be commensurate with the following advice of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah:-
"Education does not merely mean academic education. You have to build the Character of our future generations which means Highest Sense of Honour, Integrity, Selfless Service to the Nation and a Sense of Responsibility."
ESTABLISHMENT OF "PAKISTAN MOVEMENT CENTERS"
FOR CHARACTER BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP
TRAINING OF OUR YOUTH.
In the Sir Syed Memorial Society, Islamabad, it was felt for quite sometime that Pakistan's younger generation is ignorant about the basic facts of the struggle for Pakistan and the sacrifices of our heroes. Our Youth is now openly questioning the validity of The Two-Nation Theory and the necessity for the creation of Pakistan. The responsibility for educating our youth lies squarely on us - the elders who took part in the struggle for Pakistan. With this in view, a "Pakistan Movement Centre" was established in December 1999, in the premises of the Memorial at Islamabad under the instructions of the Patron-in-Chief himself. Lectures are delivered to the students of schools and colleges regularly. Video films highlighting the Pakistan Movements are shown. Question-answer sessions follow to motivate the youth. So far over 10,000 students and teachers have benefited from the program.Following Days are scheduled to be observed for inculcating a National and Patriotic out look (as opposed to narrow provincialism, sectarianism) in which the elders who took part in Freedom Movement, Gold Medalists (a list of Gold Medalists is available with Sir Syed Memorial Society) and other suitable speakers be invited to motivate our youth:
• 23rd March -(Republic Day).
• 14th August (Independence Day).
• 6th September-(Defense Day).
• 11th September - (Quaid's death anniversary).
• 17th October (Sir Syed's birth anniversary).
• 9th November – (Allama Iqbal Day).
• 25th December (Quaid’s Birthday)Good speakers who took Part in the Struggle for Pakistan be invited for interviews by PTV. The Sir Syed Memorial Society has prepared a one-hour Video Cassette as a specimen to conduct such talks. This is by no means the ultimate or the only method but it is a humble effort which can and should be improved upon by various Schools and Colleges to suit their specific environments. The Cassette cost price is Rs. 200 and can be provided on request.To provide proper guidance to our youth is our responsibility. The sooner it is embarked upon as an institutionalized activity country wide, the better for Pakistan's future. All this can be done without any expenditure to the State. All it requires is organization and supervision. The Sir Syed Memorial Society will be willing to undertake this task, on voluntary and gratis basis. No time should be lost to launch this educational movement on a Nation wide basis under a Directive from the President of Pakistan.
Sir Syed Youth Council (SSYC)
Globalization is acting as a catalyst in inter-mixing various cultures which originally had different value systems. This phenomenon has many benefits but there is an urgent need for ensuring that the process does not dilute the humanitarian and other good values in the consequent outcome and we end up adopting an inferior culture which is qualitatively lacking. A conscious effort needs to be made to preserve and promote our original good and positive values and selectively add only such good values of the emerging global culture which are beneficial. Failure to do so will be detrimental to the vital interests of our society.It is with this objective in mind that SSMS has taken the initiative to launch the SSYC. As a first step of this long march, the Institutes located on the premises of SSMS Complex have been selected for the pilot program which was launched on August 31, 2006. The primary focus of the program is the Youth. Indeed Pakistani Youth have tremendous potential and with their empowerment it can be optimized as a valuable asset for nation building tasks.
This VISION emanates from the teachings of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, AIIama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam. The strategy for implementation of this VISION has been formulated after serious deliberations and many brainstorming sessions. The objective would be for the YOUTH to rediscover self, develop their full potential and create an alignment between their dreams and actions. It is planned to start this YOUTH program from Islamabad and later spread it all over the country. SSYC is in its embryonic stage as such your funding support is essential. We thank you in advance for your help which is indeed crucial for making this vision a reality.
Donations for Sir Sved Memorial Youth Council
(Donations are exempted from tax.)
Please mail in your donations by crossed cheque made out in the name of the
Sir Syed Memorial Society, Islamabad, for Sir Syed Youth Council.
THE SIR SYED MEMORIAL SOCIETY
19, ATATURK AVENUE, G-5/1, ISLAMABAD
PHONE: (92-51) 282 9252 and 227 2812. FAX: 2275546.
Email: ssmsisd@yahoo.com
Website: www.ssms.edu.pk
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