KARACHI, Sept 25: Planning is in progress for the construction of a modern high-rise on the spacious plot of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association located opposite the Arts Council of Pakistan. This was stated by Zakir Ali Khan, honorary general secretary of the association, at the annual general body meeting held here on Saturday evening with its president Z.A. Nizami in the chair.

The association’s honorary treasurer Afzal Munif presented the audited report of the finances which was unanimously approved.

Zakir Ali Khan informed the meeting that this project had been assigned to the country’s prominent architect, Habib Fida Ali.

He said the work would start after the completion of all necessary formalities and the approval of plans.

Mr Khan sought the members’ cooperation in suggesting a name for this structure keeping in view the services rendered by the great Muslim reformer Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and to make the Aligarh Movement in Pakistan a success.

He presented the salient features of the annual reports of the various institutions being run by the association under its educational promotion programme.

Mr Khan informed that in the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, the number of students had risen to 4,221 after the admission of 1,140 students during 2004-05. Of the total number of students 38 are enrolled in the master’s programmes, he added.

He said that in the Electronic Engineering, the digital signalling processing had been obtained from abroad along with installation of antenna trainer net.

Mr Khan further stated that some 1.23 million people from around the world had visited the varsity’s web site.

He also dilated upon the varsity’s sports and extracurricular activities.

Mr Khan informed the meeting that this year the varsity had granted scholarships worth Rs14.60 million to 1,140 students and the fund in this regard included Rs2.5 million from the Anfaq Foundation and Agha Hasan Abidi Endowment.

He said that keeping in view the requirement of students, the fund had been raised from Rs15 to Rs20million this year.

Mr Khan gave details about career planning and placement bureau and the varsity’s expansion plans.—APP