RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Professor Dr Muhammad Qaiser, Vice Chancellor KU said that 18th January is a significant day in the history of the University of Karachi since on this day in 1960, University of Karachi was shifted to the current campus.

Karachi University Teachers' Society (KUTS) organised the procession at the campus on Wednesday to relive the historical inauguration of the largest public sector university. Several alumni associations including Unikarians, OSAKU, Alumni Reunion and others also participated in the event. While Thanvi's son Maulana Ehteram ul Haq Thanvi led Wednesday's procession.

University of Karachi is unique in its nature since students from every ethnicity, nationality and area are studying here with a great sense of unity which is not seen in any other varsity of the country. Collective efforts are needed for the betterment of the varsity's status. Varsity teachers are working very hard in teaching and research in limited resources which is highly commendable.

"I was admitted in KU in 1965 and now I have a 52 years long affiliation with this varsity. I have also lived in varsity hostel during student days for two years and seen all ups and downs of the varsity", said the vice chancellor sharing his student life experiences." Dr Qaiser stated.

Former Vice Chancellor KU Prof Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui said that at the time of independence there were only three varsities in the country namely Punjab University, Dhaka University and Sindh University. KU was the fourth university of the country. KU's rank in natural sciences research is quite high and its teachers are serving tirelessly despite meagre resources. Accessibility to higher education in Pakistan is merely 8 percent. We need to use modern technology and tools to deal with contemporary challenges.

Former Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Zafar Saeed Saifi also expressed his memories at University of Karachi saying that nation that forgets its history becomes history and we all are indebted to university of Karachi.

Religious scholar Maulana Ehteram-ul-Haq said that University of Karachi is recognized not just in Pakistan but worldwide due to its academic stature and its alumni are present all over the world. Pen is more powerful than sword.

Aijaz Farooqui said that the number of international research publications of KU is more than the research papers of all the other varsities of the country combined which is a great honour for all of us. Renowned politicians of the country are the alumni of this varsity.

Renowned poet Prof. Manzur Ayubi sang the university's anthem which he composed in 1958 while Ejaz Rahmani recite his poem on the varsity which was published in the university's magazine 'Al Jamia' in the late 1960's.

"The university had few hundred students and few departments but by the time it has been expanded into 57 departments and 19 research centers," said Dr Qaiser adding that there is lack of facilities in many ways but it is the responsibility of the students too to make their university to a better place.

The university started in 1951 in three buildings with some departments in Ranchor Line and some at the backside of Urdu college.

The construction of the current premises started in 1958 and by then President Iskander Ali Mirza laid the brick laying ceremony, informed former VC of the varsity Dr Siddiqui who was also among the procession which shifted from princess road to University Road formerly known as Country Club Road.