Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Mohammad Ali Shaikh said that the SMIU was expecting admission requests by a large number of students for its morning and evening classes as it was located in the hub of the metropolis.
The VC said that admissions would be granted on merit and told that the institution was upgraded to the level of college on June 21, 1943 and was named “Sindh Madressah College,”. He said that the college was inaugurated by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was very fond of the alma mater. He said that Jinnah too was a student of the institution. The VC said that in the 1960s, science classes were added in the curriculum of Sindh Madressah, which was housed in three buildings- Hassanally House, Khairpur House and Sardar House. He said that the institution was named “Sindh Muslim Science College (S.M. Science College). In 1972, the Alma Mater was put under the charge of Sindh government.
After securing the status of a university, the Alma Mater requested the government to merge SM Science College into the university or relocate the university to another location. After consultation with the university and college staff, Sindh government ordered for relocation of the university to another location. Dr. Shaikh said SMIU had finalised plans for the restoration the college’s historic buildings, including those which were in the possession of SM Science College. He also informed that a nine member committee had been constituted by the Sindh government to decide the fate of 62 shops constructed on the land of SMI by a private body in 1969. He said that the university was working towards the removal of commercial shops from its premises to ensure a conducive academic atmosphere. He said that the Sindh government had allotted 100 acres of land to SMIU in the education city for its campus. He informed that a modern state of the art campus would be completed in 12 years. He also said SMIU would establish a television and FM studios which would cost Rs. 20 million.
Afer receiving the status of a University after 127 years of service, the university inaugurated five new academic departments.On the occasion Dean of faculties Anjum Bano Kazmi, Fouzia Naeem Khan, and Seema Jilani briefed the audience about the long term objectives set for their respective departments.