KARACHI: Sindh Madressatul Islam University, (SMIU) hosted a reception in the honor of the delegation of International Media Conference (IMC) at inner courtyard of the university. Journalists of more than 24 countries along with senior journalists of Pakistan attended the reception.
In his welcome address Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh, Vice Chancellor of SMIU said that he feels proud that a large number of noted journalists from all over the world have visited Pakistan and attended the reception hosted by SMIU in their honor.
While introducing historic character of SMIU to the foreign delegates, he said that SMIU, being an Alma-Mater of founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, has remained a most modern educational institution of this region since the past 133 years.
He said that although SMIU was established for Muslim children, but it imparted education to all citizens of the country irrespective of their cast, creed, color and religion. Apart from it, persons of other religious communities have served on its faculty and remained heads of its various departments.
Talking about the association of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah with Sindh Madressah, Shaikh said that he had great love for his Alma-Mater, which he had shown on various occasions including the inauguration ceremony of Sindh Madressah College in 1943 and bequeathing one third of his personal property to SMI through his Last Will.
The vice chancellor said that being a professor of media and communication studies, he understands that presently, world media is playing a major role in connecting all parts of the world and spreading awareness among people of all regions about national and international issues. This is why, the role of journalists has become more important and challenging.
Mr. Jim Boumelha, a senior journalist of UK in his speech said that he has been very much impressed from the architectural beauty of SMIU’s buildings. He said that they were here in Karachi for last five days and felt very much happy over here, but the visit of SMIU is a very much astonishing for them. “It was a fantastic pleasure to enter the room like this institution,” Mr. Jim said and added that he represents the International Federation of Journalists, which itself is an old global organization. It has seen two world wars and also it has survived at the brink of another war.
He said that he himself is living in Oxford city, so he feels comfortable with students. He said that Oxford University manufactured elite, a very specific race of people who had run England in old days and willing to run the world even today.
He said that the surroundings of Oxford city were very dignified. Similarly, SMIU has played a role in formation of the founder of this nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Mr. Jim Boumelha said that he is really glad that the particular surroundings of this institution have played a major role in molding such people who came forward to lead this country.
Talking about relationship of journalists and students, the UK journalist said that we both, journalists and students have been a part of same mission and also have been curious in investigative field. He said that every day journalists are going through very bad time in the world. Therefore, one of their biggest alloys is students. He said that students understands what we say and identify the issues.
Senior journalist Mr. Ameen Yousuf and head of the Pakistan Media Development Foundation Ms Durdana Shaheen also spoke. On this occasion veteran journalist Rahimullah Yousufzai along with other journalists presented a memento to Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh, Vice Chancellor of SMIU.