Posted by amerhh on September 3, 2007
NED, like all undergraduate institutions, provided me with a reputable bachelor’s degree that served as the launch pad for my career. I value the academic instruction I received, wishing, of course, that there was more emphasis on achieving world-class standards.
But what I value most of all is the personal network of exceptional, like-minded individuals that NED provided me during my school years and beyond. All NEDians share a common experience that binds us together and provides a common ground to build lasting and productive relationships. My network of NED friends, colleagues and alumni has been of invaluable service in my personal and professional growth.
NED has given me what only world-class institutions provide: a cherishable, high-quality, life-long network of friends, contacts and a sense of belonging. This is my experience and I like to believe I made the best of what NED has to offer, NEDians.
Editor’s Note: Amer Haider is the Director of Strategic Marketing and Ecosystem Development at Cavium Networks. You can read more about him here.
Posted by safwan_shah on August 30, 2007
When I joined NED, we were in the 2nd or 3rd year of Zia’s Pakistan. It was a strange era as we hadn’t yet realized how rapidly the country was changing. The refugees from Afghanistan had not yet impacted the entire country; there was a lot of moral preaching and some moral policing but nothing that was remarkable. In retrospect that was a strange era – we were actually in limbo and didn’t know it is probably the best way to put it. Cultural norms were starting to change as more and more people took sides on religious issues.
In a surreal sort of a way, Pakistan was becoming rigid in its innermost ideology but we had no way of knowing that. There was just no way anyone could predict where we were headed. You would very occasionally see someone who carried an unkempt beard … there would be about 10 to 15 students in the on-campus mosque – at most. Everyone was very nice and cordial. No one would be judged on their looks, likes and interests. Calling a progressive a “dhahria” (atheist) was perhaps the worst one would hear; and calling Jamatis “agents of the US” the other opposite. There was still a Friendship House (the Soviet empire hadn’t yet folded) and we would get the occasional CIA or KGB recruitment on campus … WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Farid Durrani on August 22, 2007
I am an alumnus of NED Engineering College. This introduction is enough to break the ice between two strangers who both once attended NED. A sense of happiness, a sense of good times, flows as you start to explore golden memories of the past. I am sure there were instances when we were frustrated, we wished we had better facilities, better resources, but that has passed and all we can think of is how wonderful our days were and the success and pride that followed as we continued to progress during the four (more in some cases) years. Its gives us all a sense of pride that we belong, and we belong to the community of NED at large. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by safwan_shah on August 21, 2007
I have spent the last few days calling and inviting people to Convention 2007 from across the US, Canada, and even Pakistan. I have talked to alumni of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and one of 2003. The names I spoke to include Akbar Younus Ansari, ex-President of NED Students Union, the person who led the caravan that one day moved old-campus to new campus in 1976; Firdaus Shamim who was also the President of NED Students Union and is so positive and spirited that in 5 minutes he can increase your energy level to new heights–we spoke for 10 minutes this morning as he talked about his vision for future NED events; Mazhar Ali who played in so many TV dramas and is a fountain of pertinent poetry, he is our poet par excellence; Aftab Rizvi who is a debater par excellence and hosted so many TV programs and was also a Literary and Debating force of his time; Kamal Mehdi, who many may remember as Kamal Bhai, an amazing man who seems to have tireless energy and endless compassion for others -yes, I admit, he is my true mentor and the person I look up to; Ali Haider, the famous athlete who held the national record for high jump, he didn’t do the Fosbury flop (you need to know the subtleties of High Junmping to appreciate that) but could still easily jump over 6 feet!
In talking to all of them and then assimilating those conversations I feel proud that I am an NEDian. A relatively humble small town kid who ended up in Karachi and had the opportunity to make acquaintance with these amazing people – NED’s alumni.
Posted by Cemendtaur on August 20, 2007
کراچی میں بلا کی گرمی پڑتی ہے اور ایک عرصے سے وہاں کا موسم ایسا ہی گرم ہے۔ مگر میں جب جامعہ این ای ڈ ی میں گزارے جانے والے وقت کو یاد کروں تو نہ جانے کیوں مجھے صرف سہانا موسم یاد آتا ہے۔
بہت سے دوسرے لوگوں کی طرح جامعہ این ای ڈی میں داخلے کا میرا فیصلہ بہت زیادہ شعوری نہ تھا۔ میں این ای ڈ ی اس لیے نہیں پہنچا کہ میں انجینیر بننا چاہتا تھا۔ میں تو بس بھیڑ چال میں وہاں پہنچ گیا۔ اگر میں کسی مغربی ملک میں پلا بڑھا ہوتا تو شاید کسی جامعہ سےعمرانیات یا ادب میں سند حاصل کی ہوتی۔ پاکستان میں پرورش پاتے جامعہ این ای ڈ ی اس لیے پہنچا کیونکہ میرے ساتھ کے ذہین لوگ اس طرف جا رہے تھے۔ اور این ای ڈ ی میں مجھے اپنی طرح کے لوگ ملے۔ کہنے کو تووہ سب انجینئیرنگ پڑھ رہے تھے مگر ان سب کے اندر الگ الگ طرح کی آگ بھری تھی۔ WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
