|
|
|
IT exhibition and contest held at GIK
A THREE-DAY exhibition, including the All-Pakistan Softcom Competition 2004, was held at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, from Sept 23 to 25.
The event, organized by the Association for Computing Machinery, the GIK Institute Student Chapter, comprised competitions in software, multimedia; animation; web; interactive CD; quiz and speed programming. A hefty sum of Rs160,000 was distributed in prizes.
Four year back, the students of the institute established an official society for computing. Their main purpose was to have the PC lab at their disposal to play the famed strategy game. It was a small beginning but now ACM is considered one the most powerful societies for computing in Pakistan.
The ACM aims at facilitating the flow of knowledge and information in the software and IT domain.
It is focussed on the improving the professional standard and visibility of the subject. “We want to inculcate the culture of holding such events where outstanding students and entrepreneurs from allover the country meet to improve the standard of computer and IT education,” said Naveed Alam, executive member of the ACM.
Softcom 04 imparted a never ending motivation and rejuvenated the knowledge thirst of the students, vowing to excel in the fields of computer science and IT. The event brought developers from all distinguished universities/institutes of the country. They shared ideas, exchanged cultures and worked together in the software field. The competition was aimed to create awareness of the importance of computer and inspire the young mind to gain expertise in computer technology. The event provided an opportunity to young computer students and professionals in the field of IT to share knowledge. The students from 40 institutions/universities participated in the exhibition. They exchanged views and information.
“The event is a source of inspiration to the students,” said a teacher.
Softcom competitions have become a regular feature of the academic and co-curricular life of the institute, receiving appreciation from different quarters and played an important role in the promotion of computer-related activities.
The NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani inaugurated the competition. “Competitions such as these provide an opportunity to the students to test their knowledge,” he said.
“Keeping in mind the importance of science, it is the responsibility of our institutions and academicians to produce scientists of high calibre, enabling Pakistan to stand with pride in the comity of nations. Indeed, the world of today is the world of science and technology,” Special Adviser to Prime Minister on Strategic Affairs and former Chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Dr Ishfaq Ahmad said in his address that at present information is easily available but in past the scientists had to work hard. “Our new generation is lucky to have easy access to information through internet and electronic media. However, they need to sharpen their mind, and work hard to achieve success in their respective fields of science,” he added, concluding, “Hard work and concentration on study and research is a key to success.”
“We should strive to create a work force armed with capabilities in computer science and software engineering”, said Rector of the GIK Institute, Prof Dr Muhammad Naseer Khan. “We require a large number of innovative minds and highly motivated and competent professionals to enable Pakistan to stand tall among other nations of the world,” he further said.
The ACM President Zarak Khan Khattak said on the occasion, “We believe in progressive change and seek to improve upon on every endeavor that we undertake. The event witnessed a good display of skill and ability and promises to offer a lot of more in future.”
Talking to Dawn Sci-tech world correspondent, Fahad Mahmood, Sadaqat Irfan and Abdur Rahman of the Air Unversity said that keeping in mind the future prospects of IT such events play a vital role in opening new horizons for IT in Pakistan. “One thing we have to keep in mind that the future of our country will shape by young engineers and scientists,” said Abdur Rahman.
Saleha Alvi and Asma Gul of the Fatima Jinnah Women University agreed that such exhibitions could pull out the hidden genius of the students, getting experience and seeing people of different calibre.
Sana Munir of University of Engineering Technology Lahore said that the future belongs to computer science and IT and only those nations who achieve breakthrough in these fields can get their objectives in various fields, but it is the responsibility of the government to provide facilities to the young generation and put them on right track.
Muhammad Ali Iqbal of The City Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology Karachi said that software becomes a permanent feature of our life, enabling us to excel while judging and competing with the fellow young scientists. I believe the exhibitions and competitions change the way of work and can infuse a new enthusiasm in the students to discover new oceans of knowledge.
Muhammad Iqbal and Muhammad Klaseen Khan of A Q Khan Institute of Computer Science and Information Technology KRL said that the competitions in computer science and IT have not only forced students to take lead from each other but also provide a platform to admire the developers, encourage the young talent to come forward and contribute in the progress of the country.
Ahmad Shafiq, a judge, he said he was happy to notice the interest of the students and the quality of their work. “With this enthusiasm, there is a bright future of IT in Pakistan,” he observed.
Majority of the visitors were impressed by the biometrics and other measures of human identification, specially the gait signature.
Some other key projects on display were: automatic pick and place object; PSL automation; key-sniper; virtual mouse; Tarjuman; Ex-GEN; Irtiqa; vision of safe driving on Motorway; GIGZ; bionic ear; PC-based lab oscilloscope; virtual office; unlimited range control system; ear biometrics; face detection; A&M of heterogeneous clients with mobile devices; licence plate reader; mobile gaming gizmo; descriptors involved in object recognition; smart robot; cartoon creator; face recognition through HMM; bilingual chat and wireless communication; Urdu handwriting recognition; speaker recognition system; world events; ancient wonders of the world; cartoon movie, virtual exhibition; peer group; Java CBT; Horizons; shadowcraft; and Flash Messengers.
Dean of student affairs in GIK Institute Dr Mohammad Pervez Mughal said that in a short period of three decades, computer science has developed from a branch of electronics to one of the largest engineering disciplines itself. It now consists of many branches and software engineering. It has been considered one of the key attractive disciplines. The reason for the rapid growth in the demand for software development is the widespread use of computers in day-to-day life, evolution, low cost marinating, debugging and duplication of software products.
“The potential in the software development is still growing and is expected to continue to grow in future. The field is in its infancy and evolutions would continue to occur technically and directionally. Even now the key players in this industry are changing the way we think about organizing our lives with the help of computers”.
Dean of Computer Science Engineering Dr Anwar Majid Mirza said that the IT industry is the fastest growing global industry and software engineers are highly valued in the professional’s world.
He said, “Our institutions should produce competent scientists and engineers who can play a productive role in the local industry, enhance the learning capability of the students, provide a workable environment and put emphasis on practical applications of computer system which is vital for software and hardware needs of Pakistani industry.
The writer is Dawn correspondent in Swabi
|
|
|
|
