SMIU Celebrates 141st Foundation Day with Tribute to Educational Reformers of Sindh
SMIU celebrated the 141st Foundation Day of Sindh Madressatul Islam with great enthusiasm and renewed commitment towards quality education and academic excellence. The ceremony was attended by eminent academicians, vice chancellors, government officials, faculty members and students in large numbers.
Addressing the ceremony, Sindh’s Pro-Chancellor and Provincial Minister for Education, Syed Sardar Ali Shah said that Sindh Madressatul Islam was founded by the visionary people of Sindh rather than British rulers. He paid tribute to great educationists including Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi, Dr. Noor Mohammad Lakhiar, Mir Ghulam Mohammad Talpur and Allahando Shah for establishing modern educational institutions during the colonial era.
He described Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi as a remarkable reformer who established a modern institution in Karachi despite limited resources and social challenges. He noted that distinguished personalities including Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto, Sir Abdullah Haroon and Dr. Umar Bin Mohammad Daudpoto received their early education from SMI.
The minister emphasized the importance of modern and research-oriented education in universities and urged academic institutions to revise outdated curricula in accordance with contemporary scientific and technological developments. He assured continued support from the Government of Sindh for the development and progress of SMIU.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai highlighted the historical services of Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi and termed him an “unsung hero” who laid the foundation of modern Muslim education in Sindh under difficult circumstances. He announced the establishment of the Hassanally Effendi Chair at SMIU and appreciated the launch of a translated biographical work on the founder.
Dr. Sahrai also shared the university’s achievements during the last five years, stating that the student population increased from 1,800 to 5,500, research culture was strengthened, the university produced its first PhD graduates, and SMIU became a non-deficit institution since 2023.
Renowned academician Syed Jaffar Ahmed stressed the need to honour personalities who transformed society through education, while Dr. Subhash Babu highlighted the contributions of SMI alumni and teachers in nation-building.
The event concluded with presentation of souvenirs to distinguished guests and reaffirmation of SMIU’s commitment to academic excellence and progressive education.