It is with great anguish that I have observed very strange phenomena amongst we the educationists supported by the media, tarnishing the image of fellow educationists because of their personal relationships, and personal likes and dislikes.
There is a tendency amongst the seniors that they have all the wisdom, hence they underestimate and derogate any upcoming educationist who speaks at their level, and has a dissenting view then theirs.
As a Vice Chancellor serving in the field of Higher Education for more than 8 years. My conscience compels me to speak up about this very unfortunate development where merit is maligned and ignored because of personal relationships!
Dr. Samreen Hussain is a case in point that I just can’t resist to correct the misconception being created against her.
Dawood University of Engineering & Technology was established in 2013 by the Province of Sindh. The institution was in an advance state of decay where campus clashes were a norm and academics was at the lowest ebb. I was appointed first Vice Chancellor and I inherited a very unfortunate situation.
In 2015 I appointed Dr. Samreen Hussain as a Professor in the department of Electronic Engineering which was by far the biggest department and the most problematic at that time I tasked her with the assignment of restoring discipline and revitalize the academic of the department of Electronic Engineering. I felt at that time, in order to manage the unmanageable system we should start from chronically ill sub system so as to initiate the desired change.
Dr. Samreen Hussain proved herself beyond my expectations. In a period of 6 Months she not only completely controlled department of Electronic Engineering but went beyond. In a period of one year Dawood University of Engineering & Technology started to give a look of surprising revival. She took the University by storm and organized some big events to galvanize the students, faculty and employees of the University. She organized the following epic events that brought a paradigm change in the working of the University:
- Cricket T20 Grand Finale at Asghar Ali Shah Stadium.
- Annual Convocations in 2015 and 2016.
- Organized Regular job fairs.
- An International Conference on Entrepreneurship in collaboration with IBA Karachi.
These were un-precedent events never held before in the History of the Institution. One of her signature events was Dawood University Robotic Competition (DURC) that was conceived and executed by her, mobilizing the faculty and student and giving Dawood University an opportunity to compete with other Universities. A very successful event that continues to date. She also managed to receive NOC to receive the first ever PhD and MS programs in the history of DUET. Winning a grant of PKR 587.6M for the project “Strengthening of Dawood University”, made her contributions even more long lasting.
We owe our gratitude to Dr. Samreen Hussain for the grand transformation of Dawood University that had a glorious past.
In 2017, Dr. Samreen Hussain joined Ziauddin University and in a very short period of time she established the Faculty of Engineering at Ziauddin. She was a pioneer of establishing a State of Art Ziauddin University Campus at the Education city. She managed to offer 11 UG & 03 Postgraduate within a year. She also started successful evening programs at ZU. She was instrumental in gaining international linkages and acquiring HND approvals in the discipline of Electronics & Electrical.
She was later on appointed as a Vice Chancellor of Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University at Sukkur. The first of its kind, exclusively for women of the Province of Sindh. Here again she moved with lightning speed. She acquired the space from the adjoining Arore University. In 06 months inducted faculty and staff and admitted Batch 200 students in various disciplines. This surely must be a record in converting a non-functioning institution to a functioning University.
In 2021, she left a fully established, functioning Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University for a very prestigious assignment of “Higher Education System Strengthening Activity” (one of the USAID projects), as a Deputy Chief of Party.
It was very unfortunate that she did not receive proper recognition by the Search Committee, for whom I have great respect as it comprises of Senior Educationists and beg to differ with their evaluation.
The above stated profile of Dr. Samreen Hussain amply portrays her Professional Excellence. My conscience compels me and it is my duty to dispel the misconception to the contrary regarding Dr. Samreen Hussain.
It will be very unfortunate if we don’t recognize and utilize her services, just because of her creative and dissenting views and her personal relationship!.
