IYWA felicitates teachers and lecturers who guided the students and their parents in the recently held higher education fair. From left: (center) Consul Information and Culture Dr. Irshad Ahmad, Pro.vice chancellor of Integral University, Dr. Tahseen Usmani, HOC and Consul Education Mohammed Raghib Qureshi, Cheif Patron of IYWA L.Ramnarayan Iyer, Consul Labor Prabhat Jain. — Courtesy photo Baker Ali JEDDAH — With the children of Indian community in Saudi Arabia facing a dilemma of what career to follow and where to go for their education after 12th standard, Indian universities can tap this vast potential and attract large number of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) students, thus easing the perplexing question of both the parents on where to send their child for higher education to pursue the subject of their choice, said Mohammed Raghib Qureshi, head of chancery and Consul (Education), Consulate General of India, Jeddah. He said representatives from Indian Universities should explore the opportunities in Kingdom and approach the student community and elucidate them about the courses, amenities and fee structure along with the admission procedures. Speaking as chief guest at the felicitation function organized by Indian Youth Welfare Association (IYWA) in honor of Vice Chancellor Professor Waseem Akhtar and Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Tahseen Usmani of Integral University Lucknow, he said NRIs in Saudi Arabia are facing acute problem of higher education for their children while it is sensitive in the case of girls. Usmani said that Islamic Council of Productive Education (ICPE) started a school with the aim of developing it into a institute of higher education with technical, scientific and aptitude in the masses. In 1998, it took the shape of Integral Institute of Technology. Having the abbreviation IIT the management tried to maintain the same standard as the other IITs do. He said in 2004 the Institute of Technology was elevated to a full-fledged university and granted the minority status and thus transformed into Integral University and became the first minority university in India in a short span of time. About 10,000 students study under its umbrella and it has 12 faculties, 40 departments and more than 60 courses including engineering, biotechnology, information technology, medicine, paramedical, architecture, library science and so on. “We are interested to open an off-shore campus in Saudi Arabia to provide the best possible facilities for higher studies in the field of engineering, medical, pharmacy, architecture, biotechnology, medical and para-medical education. “We are also interested to provide best possible facilities to NRI students at our university for promoting higher education among the students of Saudi Arabia, who want to get education in our university. Scholarship facilities for these students will also be provided,” Usmani said. Usmani also distributed certificate of participation to professors, lecturers and teachers who guided the students and their parents in the recently held Higher Education Fair and Career Guidance Program organized by IYWA, while he presented mementos to Dr. Khursheed Akhtar, chairman of International Indian School Jeddah's managing committee, for his dedicated contribution and commitment to education of Indian expatriate students, and Basel Mohammed Bolbol for promotion of Indian Institutes and Universities among the Arab community. IYWA Chief Patron L. Ramnarayan Iyer called on the university to build on meritocracy while asking them to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and religious harmony in students, who are to be the future beacons of India. Earlier Muzzammil Hussain, Chief Coordinator IYWA welcomed the gathering. Prabhat Jain, Consul (Labor) praised the hard work of the managing committee of the Integral University in playing a vital role in making technical education available to all the section of society, especially to poor, down-trodden, neglected and minorities masses to bring them in the main stream of educated persons. Dr. Irshad Ahmad, Consul (Press, Information & Cultural) and Narender. P. Singh, Vice Consul also graced the occasion. Khurram Illyas hosted the program while the event was coordinated by Anwar Ul Haq. IYWA General Secretary Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki in his vote of thanks said investment in education is the best investment one can make, because it eventually leads to intellectual property. IYWA realized it long time back that education is the only means for individual success and national development. Dignitaries like Ashfaque Maniyar, Azher Ali Zai members of IISJ Committee, Aijaz Ahmed Khan President (UAPF), Abdul Khader Memon Sait (SIBN), Zafarullah Khan (Galaxo Smith), Dilshad Shamsi, DVS Rao of DPS school, Abdul Qayyum general secretary (BIJ), Khaja Vikaruddin, general secretary (KTT) and Shama Pervez also attended. — SG
