Karachi: Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) marked the 140th Foundation Day of Sindh Madressatul Islam (SMI) with a grand ceremony at its Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium. The event featured performances by students of SMIU Model School and SMI University, who sang folk songs and delivered speeches highlighting the historic role of SMI in modern education during the pre- and post-independence periods of Pakistan. A poem about SMI was presented by a group of students led by Dr. Akbar Ali Chandio. The ceremony also included messages from SMIU alumni currently studying abroad and those working in various organizations across the country.
According to Sindh Madressatul Islam University, the ceremony paid tribute to the founder of SMI, Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi, and distinguished alumnus Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai, Vice Chancellor of SMIU, along with students, deans, and officers, participated in the cake-cutting ceremony. Dr. Sahrai announced cash awards of Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000 for each student of SMIU Model School and SMI University who performed during the Foundation Day, funded personally by Dr. Sahrai.
In his address, Dr. Sahrai reflected on the social and educational conditions in the region during British rule and emphasized the visionary efforts of Khan Bahadur Hassanally Effendi in establishing SMI as a modern educational institution for Muslim children. He outlined the three stages of SMI’s development—from its founding as a school in 1885, its elevation to a college in 1943, and its achievement of university status in 2012. Dr. Sahrai highlighted the continuous commitment of SMI to providing quality education and discussed future plans for further development of SMIU Model School and the internationalization and ranking of SMIU.
Dr. Sahrai also spoke about the challenges he faced upon assuming the role of Vice Chancellor in 2020, including budgetary constraints, and the progress made since then, including securing a separate budget of Rs. 90 million for SMI Model School and increasing SMIU’s enrollment from 1,800 to over 5,500 students. He emphasized the importance of making educational institutions sustainable and committed to guiding younger generations as future leaders.
The event was attended by a large number of students, faculty, officers, and other employees.