SWABI: Musical performances, singing, panel discussions and a funfair were part of a colourful gathering held at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology to mark its alumni’s homecoming and reunion here on Saturday.

Members of the alumni, who came from across the world to celebrate 30 years of excellence at their alma mater, unanimously vowed to provide both financial and technical support to their mother institution.

The first batch of students entered GIK Institute’s portals in September 1993.

Former president of Pakistan and founder of the institute, late Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Pakistan’s renowned nuclear scientist, late Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, and other prominent leaders and experts had witnessed the historic moment of the first batch joining the GIK Institute.

Former students vow to continue financial, technical support to their alma mater

The gathering held at the institute’s auditorium was attended by Eng Salim Saifullah Khan, president of GIK Institute’s parent body, Society for Promotion of Engineering Sciences and Technology in Pakistan (Soprest); Prof Syed Mohammad Hasan Zaidi, acting rector; pro-rector admin and finance Sardar Aminullah Khan; deans; heads of departments; directors; and students.

The event was designed to bring back sweet memories of student life and make the alumni homecoming and reunion more memorable.

The GIK Institute Alumni Association (GIKIAA), which has a presence in over 70 countries with 15 global chapters, provides scholarships to needy students and boasts over 6,000 members. It has awarded Rs115 million to students as scholarship over the last three years.

The alumni, faculty members, Soprest president, and others paid glowing tribute to late Ghulam Ishaq Khan.

Eng Saifullah said: “There are four pillars of GIK Institute: students, faculty, administration and alumni.”

He added that besides GIK Institute, late Ghulam Ishaq Khan made tremendous contributions to making Pakistan a nuclear power. “It is a privilege for me to remain the president of Soprest,” he said.

Acting rector Prof Zaidi said over the years, GIK alumni had become CEOs, industry leaders, scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. “From Karachi to Khyber, from Silicon Valley to Singapore, the GIK spirit lives on,” he said. “You – our alumni – have broken barriers, shattered stereotypes, and proven to the world that Pakistan has no shortage of talent.”

Barrister Eng Habil Ahmed Khan, president of GIKIAA, said: “We will always uphold the vision of the forefathers of the institute. It was a great privilege to receive contemporary education here.”

He added, “I visited the UK, US, and various other countries, and everywhere it was GIK Institute’s education that enabled me to fly high.”

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024