HYDERABAD, March 28 The University of Sindh will establish the Himayat Ali Shair chair in the Institute of Sindhology in recognition of his services to literature.

This was announced by Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Dr Nazir A. Mughal, at a literary evening organised by the Kamaluddin Memorial Society in collaboration with a citizens' club in honour of the poet.

He also announced five scholarships of Rs5,000 each per month for research on literary contributions of Himayat Ali Shair for M.Phil/Ph.D degrees.

Dr Mughal said the poet served various fields of art and literature and it had been acknowledged by society.

He said that a poet being the voice of community pointed out problems and reflected its pains and hopes.

It was the responsibility of higher seats of learning to recognise such perso- nalities while they were alive because it would also serve as a source of inspiration for the youth.

For financial assistance of poor and meritorious students of the university and to promote services, he also announced setting up of a Himayat Ali Shair Foundation.

He urged friends, followers, students of the poet and members of his family to contribute funds to enable the foundation to achieve its goals.

Professor Mughal invited the poet to visit the university.

Himayat Ali Shair said he loved Hyderabad and its people.

He said he always tried to work more and to deliver something new in literature, especially in poetry.

The poet said he was working on Sindhi folk stories to present them in the form of poetry and play.

He said he was compiling all his work which would comprise 12 volumes.

He said his autobiography in poetry was a unique experiment.

He said a writer considered himself a student of literature.

Sindh Minister Zubair Ahmed Khan and prominent writers and journalists paid rich tribute to the poet's literary contribu- tions.

A resolution adopted on the occasion called for naming a road in the city after Himayat Ali Shair.