Nov 08, 1999
Introduction
The Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology
(SZABIST) is a fully chartered graduate institute established through a legislative act of
the Sindh Assembly (Sindh Act No. Xl of 1995) and is approved and recognized by the
University Grants Commission (UGC), Pakistan, as a degree granting institution. SZABIST is
also registered member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), Paris,
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), London and Federation of the Universities
of Islamic World (FUIW), Rabat. SZABIST graduates are well placed and are currently
employed in a number of leading multinational corporations including IBM, CresSoft,
UniSys, Revlon, and Artal, and in the Middle East, Far East and the USA.
Presently the SZABIST Karachi Campus is located on a 2500 square yard
building at 90 Clifton. In January 1996, the first academic session commenced at the
Karachi campus in the Faculties of Management Sciences and Computer Sciences. The Karachi
Campus will continue to function as the city campus even after the completion of the
permanent campus at Malir.
Currently development construction is underway for the 300-acre
permanent campus at Malir, about 36 km east of Karachi airport. Graduate education (MS,
MBA and Ph.D.) in the following faculties, which are deemed important for the scientific
and socio-economic development of Pakistan, and which are presently offered only on a
limited scale in our country, would be offered at SZABIST:
• Management Sciences (Marketing, Finance, Banking, Accounting,
Management and Management Information Systems)
• Computer Sciences (Software Engineering, Information Technology,
Artificial Intelligence/Robotics, and Computer-Aided Design)
• Electrical Engineering (Solid State/Solar, Communication and
Power)
• Biochemical Engineering (Agrochemical and Pharmaceutical)
• Biogenetic Engineering (Plant Genetics and Animal Genetics)
• Food Sciences and Technology
• Aquaculture and Agriculture Sciences
Facilities at szabist Karachi campus
Computer laboratories
Teaching laboratory
SZABIST has installed state-of-the-art computer facilities,
unparalleled in any other laboratory in Pakistan, that presently include the following
systems:
• An AS/400 System 150-e, 64 MB RAM, 8 GB HDD, with built in
Pentium processor, Websever, DB/2 database RPG-IV and other software tools.
• A UNIX-based File Server IBM RS/6000 43P with 64MB RAM, 4GB HDD,
Graphics Card 150GTX, CD-ROM, Color Graphics Terminal and other accessories. This File
Server is purchased along with exclusive unlimited campus licenses of a variety of system
software, utilities, compilers and many application development tools including C, C++,
XL, FORTRAN, XL Pascal, PL/1 set, Visual Age for Samil Talk, Wabi 2.0, Open GL 3.2,
ESSU6000, PEX & PHIGS, Oracle etc.
A Pentium-based File Server (IBM 310), with 120 MB RAM Multimedia Tool
Kit, CDROM etc. and loaded with Windows NT and a variety of other utilities, compilers and
application development tools.
• A Pentium II 3.2 GB HDD Oracle Server / SQL Server for Developer
2000 and Designer 2000.
A Pentium II 400 MHz 64 MB RAM, 3.2 GB HDD Web Server to webpages
development and other applications development tools.
An IBM Netfinity Server 5000 Pentium II 400 MHz 512 KB cache, 128 MB
RAM, 18.2 GB Hard Disk Dual Processor (IASAMP) Multimedia Tool Kit CD_ROM etc. and loaded
with Windows NT Server and a variety of other utilities, compilers and application
development tools, DBMS packages and CASE tools.
A Pentium II 400 MHz 64 MB RAM, 3.2 GB HDD Communication Proxy / Mail
Server connected to a 200 kbps Satellite Dish to provide fast intranet facilities on
campus.
A large number of Pentium-based IBM Workstations with Multimedia Tool
Kit are connectable with either of the servers and can bring all software tools available
at SZABIST to each workstation user.
Other supporting systems/facilities include Local Area Network with 60+
nodes, Laser Printers, 24-pin Dot Matrix Printers, Multimedia Equipment and a moderately
rich Software Library. INTERNET connectivity is available in dial-up mode. A faster 64/128
K communications link is also being explored.
The LAN and INTERNET access together with exclusive licensing agreement
will enable SZABIST to provide high-tech computer science and software development
training to students in any part of Pakistan or the world through WAN and Distance
Learning. This is the concept of a 21st Century "Virtual University" which
SZABIST will implement for the first time in Pakistan.
Research laboratory
A research laboratory has been commissioned exclusively for research
projects. This laboratory is equipped with Pentium-based 32MB RAM workstations, Color
Scanner, Infrared Bar Code Reader, Speech Recognition System and a variety of software
tools. This laboratory is capable of producing high quality graphics. Video and sound
capture facilities, network simulations and INTERNET/www server capabilities are also
available.
Internet laboratory
An INTERNET exclusive laboratory has been established which is equipped
with high-end Pentium -based PCs connected to a Communication Server / 200 kbps Satellite
Dish for highspeed connectivity. 16 simultaneous users will be able to explore Cyberspace
and communicate with the world through the information superhighway.
Exectech
An Executive Training and Educational Center has been established which
has a Internet / Network station, multimedia projection facility, and other audio-visual
equipment. This centre will support SZABIST's newly launched continuing education
programme. Distance Learning is also being arranged through the EngiNet® programme of the
State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
These facilities, although specifically designed for Software
Engineering / Computer Science, are also being utilized by the MBA students as part of
their study programme, particularly for Management Information Systems and Advertising
projects. All computer systems are upgraded from time to time to keep pace with the
changing technology.
Library
The SZABIST library contains a rich collection of books on most
information technology topics, business, management, finance, accounting, economics,
banking and other related subjects.
The library also subscribes a number of international and national
Magazines and Journals to update students' knowledge on the current developments taking
place nationally and internationally. A wide variety of reference material is being
continuously added to support research and development activities and enhance the
knowledge of students. Library is also equipped with Multimedia station to help students
explore information available on CDs. Library automation work is under progress and very
soon it will be computerized and connected with local and other institutional libraries to
provide our students with a wider access to business data and other resource materials
required for research and development studies.
Seminars
To increase awareness and understanding of economic and
business-related issues, many short seminars or lectures are also organized. These
seminars and lectures are in continuation of the institute's policy towards entrepreneur
development and networking. Seminars are attended by the leading figures from business and
industry as these seminars address various practical problems faced by them.
Business productivity courses
The institute also offers several productivity oriented certificate
courses. The courses are developed jointly by the faculty and specialists in specific
subject areas. The aim of these courses has been to initiate discussion and modelling of
practical problems, new business opportunities or improve understanding of current issues
in information technology, business and management. These courses include topics such as
Software Engineering, Computer Applications, Object-oriented Programming, Computer
Graphics, Network and Data Communications, Business Management, Marketing, Communication
Skills, Productivity & Quality Related Issues.
Internship
To keep abreast with technological advances in the market, classroom
studies at SZABIST are supplemented with a six to eight week Internship programme. These
Internship programmes are arranged with local and multinational organizations to
familiarize students with the practical business atmosphere. Students get an opportunity
to practice what they have learnt in school. Internship is arranged during the summer
semester and is a degree requirement for all MBA and MS students. Alternatively, summer
courses may be offered which could be credited towards Internship requirements. Evening or
part-time students can produce records of their current or previous employment as an
alternate to Internship.
Counseling
In addition to Business Productivity courses, the institute arranges
study groups and courses for certain students who it may feel are deficient in various
academic areas. These courses may include English Communication, Technical Writing,
Business Mathematics, Introduction to Computers, Public Speaking etc.
Classrooms / lectures
Classroom sessions at SZABIST are quite different from other
professional university setups. Teachers pay individual attention and are on first name
basis with the students, thanks to the limited number of candidates selected on merit.
Professors encourage more of participative lecture than just a monologue. Students utilize
various visual aids for presentations and are always on their alert because of the regular
unannounced quizzes, assignments and the monthly one hour tests. Classrooms are equipped
with overhead projectors, wall-mounted screens and white boards.
Life on campus
Amidst all the academic pressures and workload, SZABIST students find
time out for leisure. On-campus luncheon and dinners are a regular feature of the student
body. Along with these, both the MS and MBA students have organized various clubs and
student societies for curricular and extra curricular activities. Some of the clubs are
the Environment Protection Club (Green Future), Computer Society (SZABCOM), Cultural
Organization (SZABCO), Sports Club (SZABISTSPY), Book Society, etc. The Institute also
publishes a half yearly Newsletter "Phoenix".
RCWS
The Research and Consultancy Wing of SZABIST (RCWS) is involved in
consultancy, research and development programmes with the participation of senior students
and faculty. It organizes Conferences Workshops, Seminars, Business Productivity Courses,
Certificate Courses, Counseling and Guest Speaker Sessions that provide forum for students
extra-academic activities and gives international exposure to SZABIST.
International collaboration
The State University of New York, the largest and most comprehensive
university system in the United States of America and the world, with its 64 campuses and
20,000 faculty members, has committed itself to working with SZABIST in the various fields
of Engineering and Management Sciences. The Dean of Engineering and Applied Sciences at
SUNY Buffalo has entered into a collaborative agreement with SZABIST in establishing the
Masters of Engineering (MS) programme. In the immediate stages of this collaboration, the
Engineering faculty at Buffalo would be able to assist the faculty and graduate students
at SZABIST in the supervision and review of Masters of Engineering projects beneficial for
the development of Pakistan.
Anwar Ul Haq, Public Relations Officer
