THIS is apropos of the letter, ‘Wrong mindset at NUST’ (Oct 3) by an ex-NUST student. I feel sorry for him as he neither understands nor knows as to why NUST is in the news for nothing and ex-military officers are being blamed for keeping up the social/cultural values of Pakistan.

If NUST has attained international ranking and its present status, it is because of ex-students educated at military institutes like MCE, EME, MCS, Naval Engineering College, and PAF Aeronautical Engineering College, Risalpur.

If the worthy writer has been a student at NUST and meeting success in life, it is because of disciplined environments and committed/focused approach of the faculty and administration and not because of the writer’s approach of freedom, i.e., sleeveless and see-through dresses worn by females and Bermuda shorts wearing boys.

I think NUST has never invited students to come and enjoy the relaxing environment; rather it inducts students after a computer-based entrance test throughout Pakistan based on merit only.

Parents and hardworking students hailing from middle and lower middle class feel confident and comfortable to pursue their studies at NUST where screeching land cruisers of the wards of swindlers and silencerless motorbikes on one wheel are not allowed.

If this is Taliban mindset then I am afraid ex-NUSTIAN has wasted his time at NUST. A father of a student, I know that NUST sends a booklet containing dos or don’ts at NUST/dress code which entails wearing a decent dress. This is signed by parents and students for compliance.

If some girls or boys do not want to stay in the orbit of decency, then he/ she is free to leave and join some theatre rather than spoiling the NUST environment of decency.

Lastly, my three children have studied at NUST and the basic reason for selecting this university was the decent environment at NUST apart from academics par excellence.

I salute NUST for maintaining its standard without bothering about people who want to turn it into a playground for their nasty shenanigans.

SAFDAR ALI KHAN

Islamabad

Brighter side

THIS is in reference with the news regarding NUST and ban of jeans and tights. I being NUSTIAN myself could not bear and tolerate people writing about something which they themselves don’t know.

The problem with our people is that when we are short of arguments and logic, we bring religion in that. Can actually someone tell me what Talibanisation actually is?

Why are we linking an institution’s rules, code of conduct with the term ‘Talibanisation’? Every single organisation has some rules and regulations and it expects all and sundry to follow them, without rules we can’t survive. There is a contrast difference between ‘practical life’ and ‘university life’.

Universities prepare you for practical life; they shape you up and set your mind according to the demands of the professional world. I can bet if the same situation was prevailing in some western university, our students would not have objected and must have obeyed the orders without any fuss.

But as we are also open to criticism here, all our eyes, hands and faces are towards this institution.

It is because we belong to a nation which feels proud in working at McDonald’s in some other country, even picking up garbage. But when the question of our own country comes, we are ashamed to even throw garbage in trash boxes.

I am a NUSTIAN having a seven-year- long association with this institute. I have done my Bachelor’s and Master’s from NUST and am now working here.

During our student life, we were also asked to abide by the formal dress code as university wanted to prepare us for the business world.

If I am not wrong many multinationals follow dress codes (which we can watch in some films) and people are bound to abide by that.

During my student days, we were not even allowed to do and wear what students today are exercising/wearing but we never complained.

Most of us have found our ways in FMCGs, telecommunications, construction companies, etc., because of NUST.

I just want to say that if students from NUST are always looking for faults within this place, then they should look towards the brighter side of the institute and share a few achievements of the university.

Look at the worth of NUST degree in the market. NUST’s talented engineers, creative crew, NUST’s ranking, foreign qualified faculty and what not. Only by picking one issue, students are just putting their own education at stake.

Yes, there are a few issues prevailing at NUST, but such issues or problems are found in all institutes.

Try to think positive and highlight some of NUST’s achievements too, giving people a chance to view NUST as a prestigious institution.

RABIA SIKANDAR

Assistant Director HR

NUST

Islamabad