islamabad campus shaheed zulfikar ali bhutto institute of ... · and my latent passion for learning...

Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and TechnologyPh: 051-4863363-65 | Website: www.szabist-isb.edu.pk | facebook.com/SZABIST.Islamabad.Official | Tune into ZAB FM 10.6.6

Islamabad Campus

Discover Yourself

3Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology

Ph: 051-4863363-65 | Website: www.szabist-isb.edu.pk | facebook.com/SZABIST.Islamabad.Official | Tune into ZAB FM 10.6.6

Islamabad Campus

Discover Yourself



Islamabad Campus

The Pak-China Friendship Centre, Islamabad, welcomed enthusiastic graduates clad in beautiful blue robes embroidered in Ajrak, brimming with the excitement for the 6th convocation of SZABIST-Islamabad. The graduates and their proud parents, duly ushered into their respective places, marked the beginning of the ceremony. The convocation was graced with the presence of Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali (President-SZABIST), Ms. Nasreen Haque, (Vice President Administration & Finance), Dr. M. Altaf Mukati (Vice President Academics) and Mr. Khusro Pervaiz Khan, (Head of Islamabad Campus).

The excited chatter of the audience died down as Mr. Mian Raza Rabbani - the Chairman Senate of Pakistan, took to the stage and addressed the graduates. He emphasized the importance of setting aside every iota of cynicism in regards to the difficult situation our country faces in the world of today, with difficulties and threats

looming around every corner and advised the students to strive to their fullest, unlock their true potential, and make their country proud with their future achievements and accomplishments. Being heartily applauded off the stage, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho came up next and complimented the graduates on their tenacity and unrelenting commitment in the completion of their degrees. She congratulated the graduates on their Big Day and assured them of the recognition of their achievements and trials, which had come to fruition, marking an important milestone in their lives.

On this occasion, graduates from a variety of disciplines, including Management Sciences, Computer Sciences, Social Sciences, and Media Sciences received fifteen Gold Medals from the guest of honor. The valedictorian speech delivered by Raj Kumar, a business graduate, was one of the star performances of the ceremony.



Islamabad Campus

Today is your dayYou are off to Great Places!

You are off and away!Graduates, you will move the mountains!

You are off to great places!Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,So...get on your way!

Honorable Chief Guest, respected parents, and dear graduates of the day

It is indeed a great privilege for me to stand here and represent the graduate community. Let me begin by congratulating all of you.

I am Raj Kumar from Tharparkar Pakistan—an underprivileged, geo-physically remote, culturally isolated, socio-economically deprived, and drought-hit area, where I was born and, I have spent my life.

I stepped into this university four years ago as a young naive boy, too scared to be out in the world on my own. The heavy traffic of the city, the fashionable attires of the students, the pompous accents of the youth, and almost everything else done differently made me believe that I did not belong here and could not fit into this world. I was too nervous to stand up and speak before my classmates, let alone stand before the audience in a congregation like this.

All these years at SZABIST Islamabad have transformed me into a youthful man who can now confidently communicate in all social and professional milieus, and I feel proud to share with you that the university has helped me develop a clear vision and a firm direction in life.

A rough and tough journey it was, where I came across amazing people including my teachers, friends’ and mentors. All of them contributed in their own way towards my personal and professional refinement.

The university not only gave me an opportunity to complete my graduation in the best way but also paved my way to international exposure. I was selected as a cultural Ambassador to the United States, and I represented my Institute in Juniata College Huntingdon PA, USA. I also represented SZABIST in other national forums including the US Ambassador’s Youth Council, South Asian Youth Society, and Indo Pak Friendship Forum at Chandigarh, India. As a student of SZABIST, I was also

nominated as a Young Emerging Leader by the U.S Embassy.

Getting here was a bumpy ride, but thanks to my teachers, mentors and friends’ sincere guidance and continued support.

I want to take a moment to thank all of my teachers, especially all the faculty and staff of BBA for the time and dedication they devoted to me and all other graduates.

Thank you for encouraging me to break open the shell that restrained all my talent and capabilities. With utmost confidence, I can say that SZABIST Islamabad is a place which influences the students’ minds to jump out of their cocoons and emerge as the most unique individuals.

Dear Fellow Graduates! Now that we are graduating, we are all very excited to have been done with an important chapter of our lives. We may face uncertainties in future, but the university has trained us enough to turn our scars into stars. We have been taught not to wait for opportunities but to create them. As Ralph Waldo Emerson says:

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Lastly, on behalf of everyone here in this room, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the teachers and administrators who have worked so hard to make us reach this commencement ceremony. I dedicate my degree to my heroes, Amma and Baba - sitting right there in the crowd, and also to SZABIST board of trustees for believing in me and affording me the opportunity to study on their generous scholarship. Without their support, all this would not have been possible. Congratulations, once again. Be proud of yourself, and Happy Graduation!

Valedictorian Speech by Raj Kumar

Discover Yourself



Islamabad Campus

Most of the students here at SZABIST Islamabad are familiar with its Head of Campus, Mr. Khusro Pervaiz Khan—one person who is behind all the good the campus management contributes to the furtherance of efforts to realize the institutional mission. While many of us have seen him attending the multitude of seminars around the campus or in the hallways of the Administration building, only a few of us have taken the time to properly get to know him. One of our very own from the Literary Society took it upon himself to clear up the intrigue surrounding the person entrusted with the smooth running of the campus and formally introduce him to us via this interview.

What was your main motivation in joining SZABIST?

I wanted to utilize my experience of three-and-a-half decades to the benefit of our youth, and I found SZABIST the right place to realize my vision. I wanted to be a part of the education system, and my latent passion for learning is one of the reasons why I have joined SZABIST.

What changes have you been able to bring about so far?

It all boils down to the teamwork in the end. Our main focus has been to cultivate an academic culture, which has to be a delicate blend of teaching, research, and personality-grooming efforts.

The second important task that I took in hand was to further streamline the working of different systems to make the academic and administrative environment efficient and transparent. We have made required changes in the registration process, and students will be accommodated accordingly. The system is working smoothly—thanks to the hard work of everyone at SZABIST. Moreover, the convocation ceremony held last month was a huge success for SZABIST.

Prior to joining SZABIST, which institution/organization were you affiliated with?

I was a member of the Federal government, Cabinet Division.

Being the Head of Campus, what core objectives and aims do you wish to improve in the education system at SZABIST?

We want students to get quality education. Once they graduate, SZABIST’s trademark alone should get them the jobs they deserve. Change is a continuous process and everything revolves around constant grooming, training, and nurturing. So I wish to see the system and the students evolving with the emerging knowledge and the latest trends.

What areas of SZABIST, in your opinion, require immediate attention?

Ensuring quality education is extremely important, but it won’t work one-sided, the students of SZABIST need to work hard and excel in their fields.

How would you describe your interaction with the students and faculty members?

Students come up with novel and innovative ideas and provide essential output related to education. I get to learn a lot from them. Both theory and practice go hand in hand, and faculty members are the ones who have made this change possible.

Up close and personal with SZABIST Islamabad’s Head of CampusMr. Khusro Pervaiz KhanInterviewed by Haider Rifaat



Islamabad Campus

How do you think SZABIST is contributing to Pakistan’s educational output?

There are very few universities that aim for higher learning in the true sense and quality education in the real spirit. Education without learning and exposure does not make much difference, and SZABIST does make this difference by making learning a lifetime experience for its students. Let me emphasize here the need of a crash effort to overcome our backwardness in education because on it depends the future development of the country and the welfare of our people.

Being a Sindhi, what, according to you, are some contemporary problems that Sindh continues to face to this day?

[Nods] The social sector, including the criminal justice and economic system, is highly oppressive and inflexible. Also, the takeover of the elite class in Sindh has created further hurdles for many Sindhi nationals. ‘Logon ka aik he rona laga rehta hai: naukri nai milti, karza nai milta.’ These are some issues that need to be addressed immediately and pragmatically.

What piece of advice would you like to give to students of SZABIST ?

I would like to mention two things here. Number one, encouraging free thinking. I believe that every individual reserves the right to have his/her own opinion, and people need to respect that. Second, the students should train themselves to become tolerant. This goes hand in hand with education. I always caution the youth from complacency while emphasizing on Iqbal’s oft-quoted advice: Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi haen. It is my fervent hope that the graduates of SZABIST would prove to be invaluable national assets and would act as the vanguard of the techno-industrial revolution of the country.

Thank you!

Discover Yourself



Islamabad Campus

To formally welcome the new students into SZABIST portal, a three-day Student Orientation Session, Spring 2016 was held on January 28, 29, and 30 at SZABIST Islamabad Campus. It was organized to formally welcome the newly-enrolled students of all disciplines and to give them a chance to meet their respective

Program Managers and discuss any queries regarding their programs. The Head of Campus, in his message to the fresh intake, while felicitating them for making it to one of country’s premiere seats of higher learning, hoped that they would maintain and even improve the high standards of the Institute. The Orientation event introduced the fresh inductees with the faculty and staff. They were also familiarized with the institute’s code of conduct, policies, and procedures. The event took place on campus to accommodate the freshmen in getting acclimated

to traversing the halls of the institution in the coming days. This was also a good opportunity for the students to mingle amongst themselves, get to know one another, and initiate the bonds of camaraderie one needs to develop to sail through.

The proceedings encompassed an introductory video of SZABIST (created by the students of Media Department), followed by a presentation concerning the history, infrastructure, and hierarchy of the University. Up next were the introductions of faculty members, an overview of rules & regulations that must be observed, and the expected behavior of SZABIANs on how to conduct and present themselves as representatives of SZABIST. The proceedings came to an end with refreshment for the attendees to snack on.

Freshmen Orientation Spring 2016



Islamabad Campus

Discover Yourself



Islamabad Campus

January 9, 2016 was celebrated as the 88th birthday of belated Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the very person whom the University of SZABIST is named after. The event was intended to mark the remembrance of all the sacrifices, services, contributions, and devotions the charismatic icon has rendered to our nation, and who still stands out tall as one among all-time greats. The event was spearheaded by the enthusiastic members of the Social Sciences Society: Syed Arif Hussain Shah (Chairman), Benish Zehra (Vice Chairman), Saad Baig (General Secretary), Sahifa Khalil (Joint Secretary), and Abid Lehri (Treasurer).

The ceremony, held at the SZABIST Islamabad campus, was chaired by Mr. Malik Hakmeen Khan, who has held several political offices in the PPP and has also played a role as the Minister of the Punjab Cabinet. He joined the PPP at a very young age and made reforms in various departments such as Jails, Housing and Planning, Food and Cooperatives, and Auqaf. Mr. Hakmeen, while serving in the senate, took an active part in drafting various articles of the Constitution and Bills.

As the proceedings got underway, Mr. Malik Hakeem Khan’s energetic voice and zeal immediately captured the audience attention. He started off with reliving the true spirit and vision of Mr Bhutto, reinforcing the fact that Bhutto was a redeemer and a protector for the people of Pakistan. Although Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s leadership was a form of power, it was not marked by power over people – rather, a power with people that exists as a mutual relationship between a leader and his colleagues. He supported his stance with examples and enlightened the audience on the rich history of Pakistan. Mr. Malik Hakameen Khan ended on the note that every one of us should strive to be a role model for our future generations, following the footsteps of Mr. Bhutto.

The session ended with the question-answer session followed by the cake-cutting ritual in the remembrance of Mr. Bhutto. The Social Sciences Society was commended for its hard work and efforts in setting up the event.

Reinvigorating the VisionShaheed Zulf iqar Ali Bhutto January 9, 2016



Islamabad Campus

Looking around SZABIST, we see many people working hard and doing their best to make a meaningful contribution to the society. These people are very subtle in their actions, and their efforts are often left unrecognized. These hardworking folks, the unsung heroes, do their part in ensuring the smooth running of our institution. Today, we will talk about two of these Unsung Heroes: Waqas and Sunil, members of the janitorial staff, working seven to eight hours a day, to provide us a clean university environment.These two are among the best members of the staff, carrying out their work dutifully, helping out students when possible, and even reaching out to help outside of their work timings. One example is of the Annual Convocation where their team was faced with a lack of resources and our unsung heroes used equipment scrounged from different cars and bikes in the parking to clean the Convocation area. Mr. Waqas is a student of I.Com himself. He believes that SZABIST provides him with a good opportunity to earn a living as well as support his studies. The two also possess hobbies outside of their field of work. Mr. Waqas knows how to cook a wide range of dishes, including Italian and Continental while Mr. Sunil likes to play cricket in his free time with the students. They both say that the encouraging comments and gratitude of the students have a catalytic effect on their performance, and this positive reinforcement helps boost their morale. The duo has a beautiful message for the student body which is worth reflecting on. They say: “Life will throw many unexpected situations at you. You must not lose hope in the face of these situations; rather you must grow out of them and be brave.” They also told us to never stop learning and ponder on how education is paramount to all spheres of life. The interview ended with the two excusing themselves to get back to their work. We can learn much from these Unsung Heroes, taking their example and making an effort to acknowledge and compliment the efforts of all the Unsung Heroes who go unnoticed and unappreciated. Next time we come across them, the least we could do is to make their day with a smile because as the saying goes, “The beauty you see in me is a reflection of you.”

The Unsung Heroes

I run straight, I run circlesI look for a way to evade the darkness,

I turn left, I turn right, I look for a ray of light.

I stop, I listen, I turn around,My eyes stare into the eyes of madness,

I watch as it drags my heart to the ground,My body flinched as tears of agony rolled down.

I try to save my bleeding heart,I struggle to protect it from the hurt,

I soothe it, I shield it,I guard it, I tend to it.

And yet I give it back, back again,Back into those unforgiving hands,

And I am pushed back into abyss, back again,Back by those unrelenting hands.

I run again, I run circles,I stop, I listen, I turn around,

I try to save my bleeding heart, And yet I give it back, back again...

Abyss

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Discover Yourself



Islamabad Campus

Nearing the end of Spring 2015, SZABIST Islamabad held its first ever student council elections. Out of the three contesting parties, SZABIST Democratic Alliance emerged victorious. Now, towards the closure of its one year tenure, the presidential body was interviewed for an appraisal of its one year of performance. The executive trio—Fahad Jakhrani, fondly known as President Sahib, Dil Nawaz Hunzai—the Vice President, and Muhammad Usama Yaqub—The General Secretary, with almost a year of experience and learning under their belt, serve as an excellent example of good-spirited working of a student council.

Post a fairly tiring photoshoot - which involved several retakes on the insistence of and reluctance on the trio’s part - the executive body sat down to indulge in the conversation centered around the benefit of the campus students. Here is what ensued:

Khadijah: A bit overdue, but what motivated you to contest for the student council elections?

The trio: All three of us have always tried to be active participants in all activities around the campus. We have always, individually and collectively, sought out the betterment of student life at SZABIST Islamabad. With the establishment of the student council came an excellent opportunity for us to work for the cause so dear to our heart—with a mandate. That is how SZABIST Democratic Alliance, SDA, was formed and campaigned for. Another motive behind SDA was to promote inter-sect and inter-culture harmony, and abolish the general Karachiite-Lahori-Pakhtun-Baloch natter.

Khadijah: What one accomplishment achieved by you during your tenure makes you feel proud?

The trio: The Student Council’s major responsibilities include catering to the students’ problems and improving the overall campus experience. The one accomplishment that we take pride in is the establishment of societies. Currently, fourteen societies are actively operational at the campus, each contributing to the same cause—the betterment of student life at SZABIST Islamabad. The Student Council elected and established these societies after much scrutiny, and assisted them in every possible way to smoothen their operations.

Khadijah: What do you think is the biggest challenge faced by the students today?

The Trio: One word: Stress. Irrespective of our course of study, the number one generic problem we students face is that of stress. Sometimes this stress has a valid reason to back it up; sometimes it doesn’t. Regardless of its context, students need to ensure productive ways to channelize and harmonize all that stress. At the campus, we ensure student engagement in physical and mental activities to help them positively utilize their bubbled up stress and gain some relief.

Our beloved President, Fahad Jakhrani, graduates this semester. We asked him to recall his bittersweet experiences and four-year association with his treasured campus.

Fahad: To be honest, I avoid thinking of the fact that I am graduating this semester as it brings my mind to a still. My journey with SZABIST, starting in 2012, has been beautifully memorable and I have had experiences I will truly cherish. Down the memory lane, my interactions with my teachers and peers alike have been great. Zero pretenses and formality at a minimum. SZABIST has been like an alternative family to my batch mates and me.

Our Vice President, Dil Nawaz Hunzai, is hailed as a culture hoarder in the most positive sense. He is currently in his second-last semester. We asked him about the biggest challenge he faces acting as an intermediary between the students and the council, and how he manages being the first point of contact.

Dil Nawaz: The biggest challenge I face is finding the right balance between the entertainment and the educational activities at the campus. That problem has now been dealt with though. If we persuade the admin to approve parties on the campus, we also conduct informational and training seminars for the benefit of our students. Other than that, being the first point of contact comes with a lot of responsibility. The students elected our party because they placed their trust in our promise. Whenever they have an issue or a suggestion regarding the operations at the campus, we deem it our responsibility to cater to them in the best possible way. Even if they come up with an issue that does not fall under our domain, Fahad emphasizes being all ears to them as in his own words, “aadha masla toh baat sunne se hee theek hojaata hai.”

Our general secretary, Muhammad Usama Yaqub, is a fifth-semester student and is extremely popular amoung the students. Towards the end of his tenure, campus buzz has it that he would be contesting for the Presidential seat in the upcoming elections. We asked him how he would utilise his current experience in case he gets selected.

Usama: This one year has taught me a lot; I am generally pretty haughty and short-tempered, but serving the student council has taught me to keep my cool and remain patient even in the most testing situations. It has also taught me that sometimes you also need to take it on yourself to save the day. Also, Fahad Bhai has been a great mentor. His persona oozes calm, serenity, and wisdom. He has been a great display of how a leader is supposed to carry himself and deal accordingly with his subordinates. This amalgam of experiences will help me serve better in the presidential seat.

So there you have it—The presidential body at SSC Islamabad for the year 2015 - 2016. They will genuinely be missed. How they manage their studies and council activities is truly commendable and inspires admiration from every student on the campus. Kudos to these people!

Discover Yourself


Islamabad Campus

17

tête-a-tête with SSC executives



Islamabad Campus

Who would go first? That was the thought running through the minds of the three as they stood on the edge of the river. They watched as the cold river water navigated the tight curves, almost hypnotic in its flow. A chilly wind rushed into the faces of Arham and Azhar and their mother Ameenah who stared into the depths of the dark water. This isn’t how it all started though, so let us stop this moment and traverse back through time. Travelling five years back into time would reveal the root of the problem-suicidal tendency and depression.

Ameenah was married to the alpha of her village at an age where she should have been in college. Although her husband seemed like a sincere guy on the outside, in reality the man was blind to the wants and needs of his wife and treated her like a servant, something his backward community deemed normal and according to the set traditions and customs. Forced to surrender herself to him, her life took a decline.

The glory and the positive vibes of marriage had faded for Ameenah long before the mehndi had time to camouflage the girl with the colour of a new bride’s hand. Her duties quickly switched from being the newest member of the family to being the oldest slave and the one whose basic needs were invisible to the very family that boasted their so-called social contributions in village gatherings.

Time went by and one day the husband left with his friends on a trip around the country. During this stretch of leave, Ameenah alone had to struggle with the birth of her twin boys, not even her extended family dropping in to lend a hand or extend their felicitation. While the two boys were the light of her life, their care and upbringing added to her responsibilities. As her responsibilities expanded her mental state deteriorated depression, and anxiety, clutching its talons deep into her psyche and squeezing harder with each passing day.

When her husband returned, he was overjoyed with the sight of his sons and showed them affection for the first few days, but as time passed and the boys matured, he would not hesitate to openly show his displeasure. Their coming meant he had more responsibilities as their father, and though he tried to shrug them off to their mother, he could not. Irritated by the children taking their mother’s side and attempting to defend her from him, he did not hesitate to treat them with same blows and insults their mother was well familiar with, and it continued for years till that very day.

Ameenah stands atop the cliff, looking beneath the river rushing beneath her, the twins at her sides, their hands linked together. All of them had come to the same conclusion. Their only possible escape, their only solace, was in the embrace of death. The pain would last only a moment before they could finally enjoy their final sleep, safe from the venom of their tormentor. But the twins

were still hesitant to take the first step, their faces pale with the uncertainty. Ameenah squeezed her grip around her children’s fingers, and with a look of grim determination on her face, she took a small step forward.

One step closer to the edge. One step closer to the end. One step closer to their perpetual rest.

Moments passed and both children waited for their mother to take the last step. A minute passed and then one more; Ameenah stared at the running water, frozen in place in light of the epiphany she had just came upon. As a lone tear trickled from the corner of her right eye and her face contorted with determination, Ameenah began to backtrack, leading her children away from this cliff, back to the village. Next morning, when her husband had left for work, the trio snuck out with their belongings and never returned.

The mother and the toddlers found their way to a rural settlement, and soon Ameenah realized her passion for painting. Time passed and the boys grew up into fine young men. Living in a small apartment where the best of Ameenah’s paintings hung on the walls, the three were finally free to enjoy their lives in happiness and freedom.

A point to ponder is how often we do not recognize the subtle contributions of our mothers towards our growth and our well being. Their silent screams, their spiritual suicide, and killing of their dreams and basic desires for the sake of the children often go unrealised. Next time you see your mother, you should give her a hug for no other reason than to let her know that her sacrifices are recognized and to show her that you love her the same way she showers her love upon you without any failing.

The Deafening Silenceby Saadullah Baig BS(SS)-2

Discover Yourself


Islamabad Campus

19

December Chronicles

Nvivo 11 Workshop Nvivo 11 for Windows supports the widest range of data sources and offers the most advanced analysis tools in qualitative research software. A workshop on Nvivo software for qualitative analysis was arranged by Ms. Faryal Razzaq as part of the course: Advance Research Methods—Qualitative (MS SS & DS), on 7 December 2015. The workshop proved a great learning opportunity for all the participants.

SZABIST Entrepreneurial Society (SES) paid host to Umair Jaliawala on December 8, 2015. The much awaited event began with the signature Jaliawala—oozing with wit and wisdom. Mr. Jaliawala asserted that individuals are capable of a lot more than the restrictive boundaries they set for themselves.

As a trainer, Umair assimilates business, religion, philosophy, and psychology into his sessions, using audio-visual content, exercises, and simulations to make the participants reflect, celebrate, and connect.

Students from all the departments participated in the session to experience the astuteness of the entrepreneur and the trainer from Karachi. The faculty and staff members were also part of the proceedings.

The Jaliawala Effect

Being Judgemental(The Wit of Ibrahim Ahmad)

SZABIST Literary Society (SLS) organized a thought-provoking session on (7 December 2015) “Thinking is Difficult; that is why most people judge” with Ibraheem Ahmad as the guest speaker. Ibrahim enlightened the audience with his witty yet affirming remarks about the thinking process involved in our biased judgement process.

Ibraheem Ahmad is a passionate trainer, professional entrepreneur, and a social activist. Over the years, he has trained thousands of individuals on various aspects of professional development and thematic arenas. Ibrahim delivers a quality learning experience by facilitating learning process and tickling the thought process of his participants. He injects his unusual belief of starting with what you already have, and where you are, to achieve your personal, professional, and organizational goals.



Islamabad Campus

ZABCOM, ZABfirefoxis, Winning Solutions, and the Department of Computer Sciences organized a Speed Programming Competition on 10 December 2015. The competition was aimed at enhancing the technical skills of the students related to logic-oriented problems pertaining to C Language Syntax,

All Loops Methods, Operators and expressions and If statements. Mr. Zubair Ahmed (Program Manager BS Computing) spearheaded the show. The winners, deciphering the problems, were awarded the prize money.

In an effort to bridge the gap between the corporate sector and academia, the faculty of Project Management at SZABIST and the PMO team from Ufone conducted a special “Career Talk” session on Saturday 12 December 2015 for the students of MPM (Masters in Project Management).

The session was headed by Mr. Waleed Iqbal (Corporate PMO at Ufone), who is a PMP certified project management professional and has steered diverse projects & programs. Mr. Waleed Iqbal has hands-on experience of phase-wise implementation of Corporate PMO. He has delivered results in various dimensions by inculcating international standards in the organizational project management approach.

The session was quite interactive, enabling the students to learn how project management is actually being implemented in the corporate sector in Pakistan, the challenges faced, and the ways to overcome those challenges while following the internationally best-known practices of project management.

Zab Maverick EntrepreneurialContest 2015Zab Maverick Entrepreneurial Contest was conceptualized as a facilitating forum to help students embrace the process of new venture creation by writing a business plan. It was an opportunity for the students to learn and forge their ideas into workable business models. The contest was based on an assessment about the risk, chances of failure, and the projected financial gains.

It was a two-day activity. On 9 December 2015, faculty members, performing the role of mentors, brought forward top five groups out of 26. On 10 December 2015, a panel of three judges, Mr. Wahaj Siraj—CEO of Nayatel, Mr. Ali Janjua—GM of Touchstone and Ms. Izza Ahmed—CEO of Juicy Gossips was called upon to grace the occasion.

Speed Programming Competition

Career Talk Session

Discover Yourself



Islamabad Campus

February Chronicles Save Lives, Donate BloodDuring the last three years, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal has provided financial assistance to 1500 Thalassemia patients. Keeping in view the importance of Thalassemia center and to cater the patients in Pakistan especially in AJK, Northern Areas and Gilgit-Baltistan, a state of the art Thalassemia center for free of cost treatment has been established by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal in F-9 Park, Islamabad in financial collaboration with NOVARTIS (Pvt) LIMITED.

SZABIST Islamabad has always been on the forefront in welfare activities. For that worthy purpose, SZABIANS actively participated in this noble endeavor and donated blood for the deserving and the needy. Blood donations cater to a higher purpose and it is our prime social responsibility to contribute to this cause to the best of our ability and capacity.

Seminar on National Action Plan SZABIST Islamabad paid host to the country’s most prolific laureates from various sectors over the critical and crucial debate of terrorism and the counter measures carried out by the government to obliterate this widespread ordeal.

The Social Sciences Society felt the need for student awareness towards this grave concern of terrorism, mostly subject to distractions on account of a boisterous and happening campus life, and conducted the forum presided by Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan accompanied by Mr. Rana Jawad (Bureau Chief Geo News), Mr. Qamar Cheema (Defense Analyst), Mr. Arif Ahmad Khan (Interior Secretary) and Mr. Khusro Pervaiz Khan (Head of Campus).

The event circumambulated the National Action Plan and its execution in the best interest of Pakistan. The National Action Plan was established by the Government of Pakistan in January 2015 to crack down on terrorism and to supplement the ongoing anti-terrorist offensive acts in North-Western Pakistan. It is considered as a major coordinated state retaliation following the deadly Peshawar school attack. The plan received unprecedented levels of support and cooperation across the country’s political spectrum, inclusive of the federal and provincial governments.

It combines foreign and domestic policy initiatives aimed to crackdown and eventually eliminate prescribed organizations across the country. The plan provided the framework for the Twenty-first Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan which established speedy trial military courts for offences related to terrorism.

Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan eloquently emphasized on the vital yet unaddressed aspects of the national security plan. He focused on the individual responsibility of a citizen and laid stress on being more tolerant towards our fellow countrymen and respecting each other’s opinion. He emphasized that the country is going through an identity crisis and we need to recognize our true potential as Pakistanis and responsible citizens.

Sar-Sabz SZABIST-IslamabadSar-Sabz SZABIST - an endeavor by the SZABIANS, the faculty and the staff members to contribute to the campus premises and the nature. The campaign endorses the beautification of campus and adds aesthetic value to SZABIST-Islamabad. Trees add to the quality of our lives and our living. Without trees and forests there would be deserts and desolation all around us.

Plants and trees are intimately connected with our lives and our well-being. Boons and benefits derived from them are too many to count. They provide shelter, food, fruits, fodder, wood, timber, medicine, and oxygen; and check soil-erosion, pollution and floods, the spread of the desert, and landslides. Trees are essential to maintain ecological balance and to preserve the fauna. “Plant More Trees” should not remain a mere slogan but become a religion and creed with all of us. We all should plant and grow more and more trees and should try to protect them. Social forestry should be taken on a large scale.



Islamabad Campus

Heart vs MindThe Heart Jumps Where The Mind Fears To WalkBy Zarak Khan, BS(SS)-2The heart versus mind debate has raged across the world throughout literature and classrooms alike ever since we have learned to distinguish and separate the two from each other. Should we live our lives ruled by our emotions and feelings or by scrutinizing the world around us with objectivity and through logic? That is the debate at hand.

The heart versus mind debate can be more commonly seen and interpreted as the debate between emotions and logic. Realistically, the heart is only an organ, but symbolically it represents our emotions, passions, desires, feelings, and most popularly our potential to love. If you have ever marveled at an especially beautiful scene such as a rainbow or a sunrise, felt the flutter of butterflies in your stomach, or lamented at the loss of a friend or family member, then you are familiar with the effects of the heart. The mind, on the other hand, is more organized—our memory, knowledge, intelligence, and our ability to think lies in the mind’s domain. Plotting the most efficient route to get to our destination, performing calculations and solving equations, and remembering our current laptop password are only a few things we can attribute to our mind.

Norman Vincent Peale said, “Throw your heart over the fence, and the rest will follow.” To be ruled by the heart is to follow your desires and passions. It is to believe that the heart knows the best. If something makes you happy—try to do more of it, and if something upsets you—learn to avoid it in the future. If you have some dream or inspiration and you truly want it and work for it, you will surely attain that goal. To sum it up, it could be said that heart equals happiness. However, those who always follow the heart can also be easily blinded. This is especially true in matters related to love. Those who give too much attention to what their heart wants often forget to take into account the feelings of others. A moment of impulsiveness can lead to a lifetime of regret.

Those who follow their minds are the ones who look at everything with objectivity. When faced with a difficult situation, they do not lose themselves to panic or indecision; rather, they use rational thinking to assess the situation in its entirety and choose the best course of action. When presented with a group of options, they weigh the risks and benefits in relation to themselves before making a decision. They are the thinkers, the problem solvers, and among the smartest of us. But those who stray the path of the mind often throw away their heart and emotions, which has less than ideal results. It makes one emotionless, which in turn makes it hard for one to relate with others and vice versa. Being uncaring of others’ opinions towards them, they often end up

alone. Without understanding the nature of other human beings, most of them are unable to get any far in their career fields and, more importantly, their lives.

This brings us to the conclusion and my answer on the debate, which is: both. It is not too complicated to see that following one path only will get you only a little far in life. There is a reason why we have both, heart and mind. While some people lay more emphasis on one or the other, depending on their personalities, upbringing, or even age, only those who adopt the better aspects of the two are the ones who will live a content and successful life. Not only that but they will also make up for the deficits of the other. An example could be the mind being careful to remind the heart not to repeat mistakes and pointing them out before they can happen. The heart allows the mind to understand and empathize with others and brings their well-being into consideration with any decisions that one might have to make. That concludes my essay, and I hope I have provided an interesting view on the debate from my perspective.

Scholistically BLUE

This section shall feature interviews of students from around the campus who have secured merit-based scholarships

Maryam Aziz - BS(MS) Haider Rifaat - BS(SS)

To be honest, it feels pretty bittersweet at this point. I’ll tell you why! It’s funny considering that some of my classmates and good friends had failed certain courses last semester, so breaking this news was not the best option.

Some of them have no clue that I’ve secured a scholarship this semester. So it’s bitter in that context! Sweet? well, my parents are really happy for me and that is something I cherish.

I don’t normally get good grades as it is not my thing, but this scholarship proved me wrong. Back in the days, I remember flunking subjects in my O and A levels. I am sure we’ve all been down that road before! So I feel like I’ve finally achieved something significant, and that too for the first time.

I cannot begin to describe how great it feels to secure two scholarships in a row. This is my second year at SZABIST and I’m truly blessed to be a part of the academic circle. My parents have played a significant role in helping me reach this milestone. They are the reason why I have made it this far, and I owe them my life for that.

I believe that hard work is not the only key to success. Although it is incredibly important, melding education with extracurricular activities (in my case, acting, modeling, and photography) is a vital aspect to consider.

Moreover, confidence is another indispensable tool to achieve steady success. In view of education, there are no barriers. No matter which institution or university you are affiliated with, be grateful of the fact that you have made it this far. Hopefully, I will continue to work to the best of my capabilities and contribute vastly towards our education system in the years to come.

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Faculty Memorabilia


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