Trade and industry are the best judge to gauge our efforts
By SHABBIR H. KAZMI
Oct 25 - 31, 1999
Asian Management Institute (AMI) is the brain child of Hunaid Hussain
Lakhani and Misbah Ullah Khan. At the time when there was a trend to establish
Pakistan/Karachi chapter of foreign universities, they decided to establish a local
institution which could offer the best curriculum, have its own infrastructure for
imparting education and establish its own identity. Instead of starting it in a banglow
they first constructed a 'custom designed' building got affiliation from a local chartered
university and then only students were admitted. Now AMI is a constituent institute of
Iqra University which has been awarded charter by the government of Sindh.
Professor Dr. Syed Qadeer Ahmed, a veteran academician, the Dean and
Director of AMI said, "The mission and objective is to achieve par excellence quality
of academics by providing highest standard of education and professional training in
management sciences. It aims at producing graduates possessing excellent leadership
quality and managerial skills to enable them to take on the challenges of competition and
globalization successfully."
The AMI comprise of 20 fully carpeted and air-conditioned class rooms
equipped with state-of-the art audio-visual equipment. The Institute has Information
Services Centre and a computer laboratory. AMI can be rightly termed as 'custom built'
institute which is located in the heart of the city and has its own sports complex and
gymnasium — facilities for learning and extra-curricular activities.
The programmes, at present, are aimed at producing professionals with
broad academic knowledge in management sciences to operate successfully in a variety of
industrial and commercial establishments. These programmes have been prepared with a view
to create a niche for the graduates in the job-market and to also equip the students to
meet the challanges of the coming era.
The executives and experts from various walks of life are invited
regularly to AMI to share their experience and views with the students. Along with this,
students get an exposure to real life situation through internship. The main objective is
that the graduates should not feel like an alien once they join a corporation. To suit the
needs and to meet the demand for educated and trained professional efforts are being made
to introduce contemporary subjects.
Dr. Qadeer very humbly said, "We have just made a beginning and it
is a long way to go. We are trying to establish our own identity. The strength of a
educational institution is exhibited by the quality of the faculty. Therefore, we have
started with a superb quality faculty. At present, out of 18 full time members 7 are Ph.
Ds. Similarly we have a long list of visiting faculty members — exceeding 60 in
number — out of which 4 are also Ph. Ds. Currently, there are about 1000 students
enrolled in various programmes. The first group of MBAs is expected to graduate at the end
of this year."
Dr. Qadeer said, "The story of AMI is incomplete without
acknowledging the efforts of Hunaid Hussain Lakhani and Misbah Ullah Khan. AMI is the
result of the joint efforts of these two gentlemen. While Hussain family was responsible
for building the infrastructure, Misbah concentrated on meeting the conditions for grant
of the charter for Iqra University. They built the AMI complex in a record time.. Hunaid
was strictly against the idea of admitting student before completing the infrastructure.
Initially the AMI was associated with Sir Syed University. Now it is a constituent
institute of Iqra University. Before the Sindh government approved the charter of Iqra
University, many members of National and Provincial assemblies visited the complex and
appreciated the efforts of Hunaid and his family.'
However, Dr. Qadeer was of the view, "We have created a classic
infrastructure, but the real task is to impart the highest quality education. Trade and
industry, who employ our graduates, will be the best judge to decide if we come to their
expectations or not. I am sure our efforts will not go wasted and we will be able to make
a difference.
