SMI College upgraded as Sindh Madressah University

Karachi : Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan handed over charter of Sindh Madressah University and a letter of appointment of vice chancellor to its first vice chancellor Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh, at a ceremony held at the Governor House, here on Tuesday.

Dr. Ishratul Ebad while addressing the ceremony extended his heartily congratulations to the President of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, who ordered elevation of Sindh Madressah to university level, old students of SMI, Sindh Assembly members who unanimously passed the bill of SMI university and the whole nation on elevation of the alma mater of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He said that this is a historic day and a historic moment for him personally and for whole nation that Sindh Madressatul Islam has been elevated to the university level. I am so much happy and feeling proud that I am giving the charter of university to the alma mater of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at his house (Governor House), the Sindh governor said.

He said that after taking the charge of governorship he had decided that he will promote three historic institutions to the level of university, and these were Dow Medical College, which was his alma mater, S.M. Law College and Sindh Madressatul Islam. So, in 2003 Dow Medical College got varsity status, today Sindh Madressah is receiving charter of university and it has been decided in principle that S.M. Law College would be given university status soon.

He said that Sindh Madressah was first time elevated to the college level with the hands of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and now it is being elevated to the university level with his own hands.

Sindh governor assured the vice chancellor Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh for any assistance needed for the development of Sindh Madressah University and resolving its problems regarding shops built around the SMI and also 100 acres of land given to Sindh Madressah in the Education City through the presidential orders.

Senior Minister of Sindh Pir Mazharul Haq in his speech said today we paid the debt of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah by giving university status to his alma matter. He appreciated the efforts and interest of Asif Ali Zardari, and Sindh governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan for Sindh Madressah s elevation. He said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was too interested in establishment of public sector universities especially in Sindh, so we fulfilled her dream today.

The education minister said that this is not a traditional university, but would be a symbol of modern and quality education in the world.

Earlier Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh gave a detailed presentation on the history of Sindh Madressah and the efforts taken for its elevation to university level.