Tag: Habib University

Karachi, December 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):You may not make good machines by reading “Mir (Meer)” but you will become a good human being!

Imperialism does not only expropriate the resources of the colonies but it also snatches language, culture, and one’s inner self.

Cultural imperialism has remained prevalent in the cultural and socio-political lives of all the ex-British colonies including Pakistan. Languages also kill other languages; one language dies every 14 days and disappears from the memories of the people. Cultural imperialism deletes indigenous memories and history.

Hence, the native languages have suffered under the hegemonic shackles of linguistic neo-colonialism aimed at disempowering the local linguistic communities. In the exclusivist environment of English domination surrounding higher education in Pakistan, Habib University has taken a radical step to include the Urdu Literature course, Jehan-e-Urdu, as one of the liberal core courses of all academic programs.

In the session, Habib University Ka Jehan-e-Urdu at the Frere Hall, Karachi, Dr. Tanveer Anjum, and an adjunct faculty at Habib University moderated the session. Afzal Ahmed Syed, Professor of Practice, and Comparative Studies, Professor Inamullah Nadeem, poet, author, writer, and Assistant Professor of Practice, Comparative Humanities, Habib Mazahir, Alumni and Academic Advisor at Habib University, Alifya Faheem Lotia, Syeda Dua Zahra Zaidi, and Samana Butul, students of Habib University, were the speakers.

Afzal Ahmed Syed said it is the vision of Habib University that we teach philosophy, arts, literature, reasoning, language, and music. Habib University believes in Yohsin, it encompasses five major paradigms: striving for Excellence; appreciating Aesthetics (beauty); nurturing Passion; respecting others, and serving the communities. It is the literature that injects humanity into the souls of human beings and Habib University passionately believes in this.

Dr. Inaam ullah Nadeem told that when a student from the engineering department asked why they had to study “Mir Taqi Mir (Meer Taqi Meer)” he answered to him, “You may not make good machines by reading “Mir (Meer)” but you will become a good human being.”

Adding further, he told, in our societies, we read books when we are feeling bored or have to spend time. Humans have a noticeably brief period, and they cannot experience everything, books teach, and provide experiences, and feelings.

We have taught those characters of “Manto (Saadat Hasan Manto)” which are considered bad in our societies but when students read about their feelings and sacrifices, they change their understanding towards them. At Habib University, students unlearn and we challenge the existing cultural imperialism of the English language.

Habib Mazahir said that “Habib University has bestowed us our lost language and culture. It is literature which enlightens the students.” Emphasizing the importance of the Urdu language, he said, “We should be ashamed that we don’t know Urdu, we are facing an epistemological crisis, we are into deep self-hatred to ourselves and our places due to cultural imperialism. We need to overcome this linguistic apartheid.”

Habib spoke so fluently and beautifully in Urdu that the moderator asked him, “Could you speak like this before joining Habib University?” he replied, “Indeed, in this all, credit goes to Habib University.”

Samana Butul, a student of Habib University told that there is a difference between language and literature, and Habib University taught this. We not only learned about Faiz and Ghalib but also the “Zinda Shair” of those poets who are alive. We listen and learn about Ghazals, Poetry, and music at Habib University and that is why I am in love with Urdu and it has become my habit.

Syeda Dua Zahra Zaidi said, “When I came to University, I learned Urdu as a feeling. Urdu taught us to feel and know ourselves. When one knows oneself can know about the outside world.”

Alifya Faheem Lotia told that when she joined Habib University, she could not memorize poetry but now she knew. She recited Faiz Ahmed’s “Aaj Bazaar Main” so beautifully, the audience cherished her with clapping and appreciation. In the end, Dr. Tanveer emphasized reclaiming lost languages, literature, culture, and civilization.

For more information, contact:
Habib University
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-34301051-55
Email: marketing@habib.edu.pk
Website: www.habib.edu.pk

Karachi, December 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):Being an Electrical Engineering student at Habib University, one of Pakistan’s top institutions for Liberal Arts and Sciences, is quite a ride! I meet people from diverse backgrounds which is a great learning experience. This diverse student body at Habib University is one of its best qualities.

Academic Offerings

Electrical Engineering program at Habib University does not only offer me to study my core breadth courses, a variety of electives but also the Liberal Core Courses Habib University is known for. These courses equip me with critical thinking skills needed to excel in this fast-paced world. We, the Electrical Engineering students, are lucky to be taught by highly-qualified faculty.

The Professors in this institution are experts in their fields, with experience in professional and academic domains. They are always willing to assist students during office hours and even after classes have ended.

Be Ready to Transform into a Well-Rounded Individual

Many engineering universities such as NED, solely train students for the professional domain and their courses are focused on the engineering core. But here, at Habib University, the academic experience that we get, transforms us into well rounded individuals who possess best communication skills and can challenge pre conceived narratives.

Furthermore, you can add to your major program by taking a minor to broaden your areas of interest. The ability to engage in intellectual and scientific inquiry is one of the many skills minors aid in developing.

Get the Best Global Exposure

You might have thought this was all there was to say, but we have not even touched on the Learn and Research Abroad programs! Every year, many of our engineering students participate in Exchange Semester through our partnerships with prestigious universities around the world, including Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Stanford, University of Michigan, etc. These opportunities provide life-changing experiences to the Habib University’s students. And this surely is an opportunity that no one wants to miss.

Acquire 21st Century Research Skills and Professional Growth

Habib University is an institution which prepares you for the post-graduation life, right from the very first day of your undergraduate study. Exceptional initiatives such as Graduate School Curation Program (GSCP) at Habib University prepare students for graduate school and offer them the chance to engage in undergraduate research. Many of our students majoring in Electrical Engineering have contributed to research papers supervised by their professors and have successfully published them as well.

The Career Curation Program (CCP) assists students in becoming exceptionally well-rounded individuals by educating and assisting them in learning skills essential for their lives outside of school. CCP also partners with the industries and takes students on a variety of industrial field trips to give them exposure and give them the chance to work together on projects.

This academically rich environment at Habib University as an Electrical Engineering student can shape you into a well-rounded individual with not only in-depth knowledge about your degree, but a responsible citizen of this society. And I know, everyone would love to become part of such an institution which develops leaders out of individuals.

So, apply now for the Admissions Fall 2023 https://eapplication.habib.edu.pk/. For details and information about Habib University’s admissions, fully funded scholarships (HU TOPS), financial aid, eligibility criteria, please visit: Habib University Admissions Website.

For more information, contact:
Habib University
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-34301051-55
Email: marketing@habib.edu.pk
Website: www.habib.edu.pk

Karachi, December 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):Only 28% of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) jobs are held by women, globally, and men outnumber women in most STEM undergraduate majors. In several of the upcoming professions with the greatest pay and fastest job growth, such as Computer Science and Engineering, there are pronounced gender pay inequalities. Habib University, being the premier Liberal Arts and Sciences institution, addresses through its educational model, the disproportionate gender gap in STEM.

Habib University organized the session Women in STEM – Inspiring stories from Habib University at Adab Festival at Frere Hall, Karachi. Dr. Sameena Shah Zaman, Associate Professor, Integrated Science and Mathematics at Habib University moderated the session. Dr. Haleema Qamar, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Habib University, and Ms. Fariha Farooq, Ms. Anumtah Aijaz, Ms. Areeba Aziz Rajput, Ms. Binish Fatima, and Ms. Swaleha Muhammad Saleem, who are alumna of Habib University, were the speakers of the session.

During the session, Dr. Sameena said, “Habib University is an institution that focuses on nurturing informed citizens and we at Habib University ensure women’s participation in STEM.” Dr. Haleema Qamar emphasized, “To all the parents, never be hesitant when it comes to your daughters studying in the STEM field, and never be worried about financial constraints because, at Habib University, we have a bundle of scholarships to foster Women in STEM.”

Pakistan is the second worst country on Global Gender Gap Index, everywhere around 1000 women are killed in the name of honour. In tribal, patriarchal, and traditional societies, where private and public spaces are separated for men and women, former for the men and latter for the women, there, Habib University, removes these gaps and spaces for women to participate and pursue their goals in STEM.

Ms. Areeba Aziz Rajput, an Electrical Engineering alumna of Habib University from the 2018 batch while talking about her journey said, “I take obstacles as a challenge to show that women can do wonders in STEM.” Ms. Fariha Farooq said, “I knew the moment that I stepped inside Habib University that I belong to this institution, which gives you the freedom to completely explore yourself.”

While continuing the session, Ms. Binish Fatima said, “The turning point for me to opt for Electrical Engineering was the introductory (Electrical Engineering) course at Habib University, an institution that makes you a holistic individual,” highlighting the fact that Habib University provides its students an academically rich environment with the blend of interdisciplinary so that students are not just confined to their chosen field of study but explore other dimensions as well.

One of the speakers, Anumtah Aijaz stated, “When I went to apply for jobs in STEM, I knew I would be the first choice for any industry because Habib University has made me so capable that now I am not only an Engineer but I am a leader capable of best communication.” Swaleha Muhammad Saleem said, “I looked inside and found inner strength within me. I made the best use of my abilities and now I am working as a Product Manager at one of the leading industries.”

For more information, contact:
Habib University
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-34301051-55
Email: marketing@habib.edu.pk
Website: www.habib.edu.pk

Karachi, December 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):The last 200 years have devastated everything existing on the planet earth. Colonialism and post-colonialism have exploited resources and have managed humans’ cognitive thinking. Capitalism’s destruction of the environment and its cultural and racial imperialism has programmed and managed our minds, reflecting upon it is a challenge and need of our times.

Habib University which is a generous Liberal Arts and Sciences institution takes up this mission. In the session, ‘Reparative Thinking: The Cognitive Challenge of Our Times,’ the esteemed faculty of Habib University addressed and reflected upon this challenge.

Dr. Nauman Naqvi, an Associate Professor, Comparative Humanities at Habib University, moderated the session. Hayya Fatima Iqbal, Assistant Professor of Practice, Communication and Design, Dr. Noman Baig, Associate Professor, Social Development and Policy, Dr. Anzar Khaliq, Associate Dean for Teaching, Learning, Research, and Associate Professor, and Daniyal Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Practice, Comparative Humanities were the speakers.

In the session, Dr. Nauman Naqvi quoted the words of Shashi Tharoor, which he narrated, “In reparations, The British should give us one pound” which is supposed to be symbolic. 45 trillion dollars were transferred to the U.K from our region during British rule, he said while quoting Al-Jazeera’s article.

As a result of the floods, people have started talking about the reparations, which used to not happen in our region. The reparations, not just economically, but what needs to be repaired is the tremendous cognitive damage that was caused due to colonial rule and continued into the post-colonial period.

In the session, speakers tried to reflect upon how we can repair cognitive thinking due to capitalism’s interest motive, which is destroying our planet. Dr. Anzar Khaliq said, “Never in human history, lead (Pb) was supposed to be in humans, but now it is in every human being “It is not good for human body but now humans have since last 150 years.

He added further, “This is all happening in the name of progress.” And quoted this maverick saying, “We Do Not Inherit the Earth from Our Ancestors; We Borrow It from Our Children.”

Haya Fatima Iqbal, who is a renowned film and documentary maker said, “If we just look at the last 20 years of documentary filmmaking, we can know how colonized our documentaries and visual reflections are.” In the first ten years, since 9/11, films and documentaries were made, constructed, and profiled that everyone who has a beard is a terrorist.

After ten years, a positive image of Pakistan was portrayed which seemed like everything has been normalized. We need to look at different nations residing in Pakistan without any stereotypes.”

Noman Baig said, “Repairing and reparations can be done in two ways; one is theoretical and the other is practical. Theoretical is done by ideology while practical is done by fixing our relationships with ourselves and our community and other people.

The gap between ourselves and our soul should be reconciled. We need to focus on our soul which has been ignored in our intellectual discourse. One way to connect to our soul is classical poetry and its beauty of expression and its words. So, I included “Shah Jo Risalo” in our course. The soul is important to study as it has qualities of generosity, forbearance, and love. We need to find people from our indigenous history who we can mimic in terms of theory and practice.”

Daniyal Ahmed while talking about music said, “In past it was not like this, now music is everywhere, but our listening capabilities have been weak.” Talking about birds, he said, “Now, we don’t listen to music of birds.” Dr. Nauman Naqvi said, music is very important part of Habib university and quoted the words of Imam Shafi, “Music is intellect and generosity and whoever doesn’t engage with music is not generous or intellect.”

For more information, contact:
Habib University
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-34301051-55
Email: marketing@habib.edu.pk
Website: www.habib.edu.pk

Karachi, December 02, 2022 (PPI-OT):COVID-19 not only impacted individuals but also the system; it was an institutional anxiety. Due to this, everyone was impacted so were the students, and their daily lives, specifically personal and academic aspects. Though post-Covid intensity has been lessened, stress and anxiety are prevalent so furiously due to the economic crisis and inflation, which is affecting students’ academic performance and learning outcomes. In this regard, a conversation with Dr. Asim Shah was organized by Habib University to deal with the depression and anxiety of students.

Dr. Asim Shah is a psychiatrist by profession and the recipient of multiple awards for clinical care and teaching. He is the Executive Vice Chair and Professor, Baylor College of Medicine and is a prominent supporter of Habib University within the Pakistani community in Houston. The conversation was organized at the Office of Academic Performance (OAP), in which, Health and Wellness Centre, Ehsaas Centre, and Faculty participated, shared their experiences, and asked questions for more improvement and clearance.

Dr. Asim said, life has changed after the pandemic and everyone needs to take care of one’s physical and emotional health as anxiety and depression have been quite common. He emphasized to not use the word “Mental or Mental Health” and instead of it, one should use, “Emotional health” or any other substitute.

He said that Habib University is one of the very few universities which are taking care of students’ emotional health and guided how Habib University can further improve and develop. Answering a question, he said that, teachers should not share their boundaries and keep their biases aside, and that will help students.

Adding further, he said, electronic media has positive and negative impacts; a lot of bullying goes on frequently on social media and in everyday life, if someone is small, they will be bullied, if someone is tall, they will be bullied too, this is everywhere. Many students are coming from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, and they may go through performance anxiety, and dealing with it is very necessary.

Zain Abbas from the Health and Wellness gave an overview of their department and how it is facilitating students free of cost. He said that they counsel students, organize awareness programs, carry out group discussions, and much more. Dr. Asim suggested how further they can improve by increasing the capacity of counsellors, telling students to use apps like Self-Help, Talk-Space, etc. He also emphasized counselling faculty and staff, if they are not healthy emotionally, it may be disturbing for the university. There is a lot of stigmas about emotional health and we all need to overcome this.

For more information, contact:
Habib University
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-34301051-55
Email: marketing@habib.edu.pk
Website: www.habib.edu.pk

Karachi, December 01, 2022 (PPI-OT):This year, Habib University partnered with the fourth Adab Festival, which took place on the 26th and 27th of November at Frere Hall, Karachi. Habib university, a liberal arts and sciences university, not only believes in providing world-class education across the socio-economic classes but also in preserving art, music, culture, and language and challenging mainstream rhetoric: from the climate crisis to capitalism and from gender disparity to cultural imperialism, it has been resisting against them. Taking these challenges, Habib University continuous its mission.

In the opening ceremony of the fourth Adab Festival, Ameena Saiyid, co-founder of the festival, Climate Minister, Sherry Rahman, Professor Dr. Nauman Naqvi, Murtaza Wahab, and renowned literary figures participated.

In the opening speech, Dr. Nauman Naqvi, who is an Associate Professor, Comparative Humanities at Habib University, greeted the audience with “Adaab”. He said that we use the word “Adaab” often at Habib University due to its relationship with literature, ethics, and ethos.

He congratulated Ameena Saiyid and paid tribute to Professor Asif Aslam Farrukhi of Habib University, who remained a great collaborator with her. He said that missing Mr. Farrukhi is very natural in this festival, “It would have been him speaking here instead of me.”

As the theme of Adab Fest was Climate Change, it is a topic of unprecedented significance today. Dr. Nauman Naqvi continued by saying, “Pakistan is a country in an unfolding climate catastrophe as the world witnessed. Indeed, many are still witnessing the devastating aftermath of unprecedented floods. The unfolding climate catastrophe is on the very ground of the conceptualization of Habib University’s curriculum.

Since its inception, we have been teaching students about such crises and call our curricular approach, ‘Reparative’. It is not just about reparative gestures for the destruction of apartheid, colonialism and racial capitalism in our modern history, but also a wider work that is of cognitive repair that is indicated by the catastrophic historical moment.”

Sherry Rehman said, “What goes in Pakistan, will not stay in Pakistan. Climate Change represents a total crisis of existential vulnerability. Climate Dystopia is at our doorstep despite that we are the least contributors to carbon emissions. Climate Action is never successful if citizens are not directly involved as stakeholders.”

Literatures festivals are the lungs which provide oxygen to people to critically engage, question, unlearn and learn. Opening ceremony was followed by panel discussions, book talks, art gallery, storytelling, documentaries, dance, and music.

For more information, contact:
Habib University
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-34301051-55
Email: marketing@habib.edu.pk
Website: www.habib.edu.pk