RIYADH — The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Riyadh Chapter, celebrated Sir Syed Day with serving Vice Chancellor of their Alma mater Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah (Retd) and his wife Sabiha Simi Shah Sunday. He spoke about the missions of Khan and apprised all Aligs about his own mission of accepting the coveted post of vice chancellor to make AMU as the number one university in India 2017 and among top 200 universities in the world by 2020. He emphasized on an overall improvement in the infrastructure of the university campus, student's housing facilities, food services, high quality research activities, sports facilities including competitive examination guidance centers, and the only university in India to have a riding club and a golf course. He appealed to the alumni globally that it was the payback time for them to their Alma mater to fulfill the dream and mission of Khan by making AMU a world class university. President of AMU Alumni Riyadh, Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Badshah, delivered the welcome address and assured the vice chancellor of full support from the Riyadh Alumni. He told the audience that change has already begun at AMU under the able leadership of Lt. General Shah in every field. Recently, five AMU faculty were quoted as authors in international science journals. This year's Sir Syed Day in Riyadh comprised a series of academic activities conducted under the aegis of the AMU Alumni Association of Riyadh. An open school essay writing competition was conducted among the CBSE governed schools recently, and the winners of essay writing competition were special guests at the function; they were honored with prizes and certificates by the chief guest. Sir Syed Memorial Trophy for Essay Writing Competition was lifted by International Indian Public School. The Guest of Honor, Islam Habib Khan, a 1951 graduate from AMU and the senior most Alig in Riyadh region, presided over the function. He is working as a senior financial adviser at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia. Habib was all praise for the Vice Chancellor for his efforts in making his Alma mater a center of excellence. He urged the alumni to come forward and support the mission of the VC. The annual AMU alumni directory cum souvenir "We the Aligs of 2013" was also released by Shah, Khan, Badshah, Vice President Nasim Akhtar and General Secretary Taquiuddin Mir. The program was compered by Mir and the vote of thanks was proposed by Akhtar. — SG
