Formanite Achievers: FCCU Student Sport Champions

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Student athletics is an important part of campus life at Forman Christian College. FCCU’s campus boasts a range of modern athletic facilities and fields, which allow students to participate in the sports of their choice.

A few student athletes’ achievements have earned them accolades and awards that the entire student body can be proud of. These competitors represent FCCU in several sports and tournaments throughout the year.

Cricket: Abraham

A business studies major, Abraham has represented the FCCU cricket team in two national HEC inter-varsity cricket tournaments and the FCCU athletics team in three annual athletics inter-varsity championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023. 

Throughout his four years at university, he has been an integral part of the cricket team, contributing to numerous inter-varsity championship victories for FCCU. His most significant achievement at FCCU was serving as the President of the Forman Sports Society during the tenure of 2023-24. Through this role, he developed crucial leadership and managerial skills.

Boxing: Adeen

As a boxer, Adeen has represented FCCU at many levels, including the 2024 Higher Education Commission (HEC) games. She is the recipient of a scholarship that adds an incentive to her hard work while studying psychology at Forman. Adeen greatly appreciates how FCCU always supports athletes like her.

Weightlifter: Eeman

Eeman’s success in receiving the Higher Education Commission (HEC) silver medal in 2024 as a weightlifter. Her athletic career has been shaped by unwavering commitment, countless training hours, and the invaluable support of mentors at FCCU. She is currently majoring in psychology and mass communications.

Swimming: Eesha

As a member of the FCCU swimming team, Eesha has showcased her talent in various prestigious events, including inter-university and inter-school competitions, securing several medals. In 2023, this applied psychology major won two gold, four silver, and three bronze medals.

Weightlifting: Wafia

Wafia is a key member of FCCU’s female weightlifting team and holds National Medalist and University Champion titles. An applied psychology major, she has secured gold and silver medals in inter-university championships and a bronze medal in nationals. 

She is also a recipient a scholarship at FCCU, which has played a pivotal role in balancing her academic and athletic pursuits.

Read About More High Achieving Formanites

Athletics is just one field where FCCU students are achieving. Other students stand out with their academics, research, writing, entrepreneurship, and more. 

To read more of these amazing student success stories, check out this year’s Formanite Achievers booklet created by FCCU’s marketing and outreach office.

Leaders in Pakistan’s Tech Industry: Mr. Attiazaz Munawwar Ud Din

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Mr. Attiazaz “Bob” Din is the Founder and Chairman of Khazana Enterprise, Pakistan’s first hyperscale  FinTech Cloud service provider, contributing significantly to the country’s tech sector transformation and  leadership in digital transformation and AI. 

He commenced his academic journey at Forman Christian College, followed by pursuing Bachelor’s  and Master’s degrees in the United States. In 1993, he founded En Pointe Technologies, achieving  substantial growth to an annual revenue of $700 million. His achievement as one of the few Pakistani  Americans to secure a Nasdaq listing in 1996 elevated him to the ranks of the world’s elite 3000 CEO  of American listed companies, and made him one of the handful foreign born CEOs of Nasdaq listed  companies.  

Recognized as a leading entrepreneur by Ernst & Young in the United States and acknowledged in  Forbes for his contributions to job creation in California, Mr. Din has demonstrated continuous  commitment to Development in Literacy (DIL) since 1996, establishing numerous schools in Pakistan,  particularly for girls. He has generously donated cloud services to FCCU.  

In 1997, Mr. Din established Pakistan’s inaugural International Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)  center. He served on the board of the California Republic Bank for a decade and dedicated eighteen  years to the Los Angeles County Sheriff Advisory Council, including a three-year tenure as the  Chairman. Additionally, he served as the President of the Council of Pakistan American Affairs for four  years. 

Success magazine ranked Mr. Din as the #1 entrepreneur in 2000. In 2009, he founded dinCloud,  recognized as a top-five Gartner Magic Quadrant Cloud service provider for hosted desktops (DAAS).  He led Collab9 to secure the first-ever FedRAMP certification for UCaaS in 2010, significantly  enhancing government operations and security through technology. 

Through his initiatives, Mr. Din has facilitated over $100 million worth of IT services export from Pakistan  to the US, fostering the creation of several thousand jobs. His investments via Foreign Direct Investment  (FDI) have amounted to billions of rupees in tech startups.

Overcoming Financial Struggles, Aspiring to a Meaningful Career in Adventure Tourism

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A Family Reliant on Education

My name is Muhammad. 

Education is incredibly important for my family. All four of my siblings are currently students. My father is our family’s sole breadwinner and works as a teacher.

Education opens doors to knowledge, personal growth, and opportunities. It equips me with the skills to navigate the world and contribute meaningfully to society. My goal has always been to get a college degree and make my family and hometown proud.

The Importance of Financial Aid

Pakistan’s economic hardships have impacted the entire population. Inflation and rising costs of living have placed a strain on my family’s financial stability. Meeting everyday expenses and managing educational costs has become challenging. 

While researching universities, I learned about Forman Christian College’s financial aid program. My family could not afford to send me to college without support, so I applied. Financial support allows me to focus on my education without the added stress of financial constraints.

Beyond the financial aid, I chose Forman for its commitment to academic excellence, diverse learning environment, and shared values. FCCU is a dynamic learning institution that fosters a holistic approach to education, similar to the American education system. 

Why I Chose FCCU

FCCU has provided me with a supportive academic environment, access to knowledgeable faculty, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The university’s commitment to excellence and student diversity has positively impacted my educational journey.

One aspect that stands out is the practical and hands-on approach to learning. My program integrates real-world scenarios, case studies, and projects, allowing me to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment. Interacting with diverse peers with a passion for communication has broadened my perspective and enhanced my teamwork and interpersonal skills. 

The engaging and experienced faculty members have played a crucial role in enriching the learning experience. Their insights, industry experience, and guidance have deepened my understanding of the subject and inspired me to think critically and creatively. 

Beyond my academic studies, I’ve learned the importance of resilience, time management, and collaboration. The diverse campus has broadened my perspective on various topics and issues.

Aspiring to a Career in Adventure Tourism

At FCCU, I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, specializing in Advertising and Public Relations. This program provides me with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of communication, with a focus on ads and PR strategies.

My future goals revolve around leveraging my education and skills to positively impact the communications industry. I hope to do this with a career in Adventure Tourism, emphasizing branding and promotion. This emerging field is exciting, but it’s important to remind people about sustainability and safety.

By combining cultural tourism with community engagement, I want to design campaigns that foster cultural exchange, showcase responsible tourism practices, and emphasize the cultural richness of destinations. 

Ultimately, I aspire to lead mountaineering expeditions while building a personal brand, sharing success stories and expertise to attract participants and contribute to the growth of the adventure tourism sector.

Making a Lasting Impact

My advice to prospective students is to embrace every learning opportunity, stay focused on your goals, and seek support when needed. Hard work, determination, and consistency can overcome any challenges in life.

I’m so thankful to all Friends of Forman donors for their invaluable support. Your gifts have transformed my educational journey and will do the same for many others. Your commitment to contributing to my education is not just a financial investment; it is a profound vote of confidence in my potential and aspirations. 

I assure you that your investment in my education is being met with dedication and a deep sense of responsibility. I eagerly anticipate realizing this support, and I am committed to maximizing this opportunity.

Your belief in the power of education is inspiring. In the future, I aspire to pay forward the support I’ve received, ensuring that others can benefit from the gift of education. Your belief in my potential motivates me to succeed and make the most of this opportunity.

Campus Activities Update: September 2024

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Despite the lingering hot weather and humidity, the early Fall is a great time of year as we welcome a new class of incoming students, both to the college and the university. The number of applicants for some departments is reaching record levels, with some fields such as Computer Science, Business and Mass Communication proving to be especially popular. At the graduate level, Psychology and English have also attracted a lot of applications, making admissions in those areas even more competitive than usual.

More problematically, the Fall semester also highlights the reality that the demand for hostel space at Forman exceeds supply, a long term problem that will take time to resolve. That said, I am pleased to report that a newly renovated hostel with 85 beds on the nearby TSA/FCCU campus is opening this Fall, providing additional hostel space for female university students. Combined with a smaller hostel for female graduate students that opened its doors last year, we now have an additional 100 hostel beds available on the TSA/FCCU campus for female students. And, like our main campus, the TSA/FCCU facility is a very attractive “garden campus” with lots of green space.

Our entering classes are also as diverse as ever, including representation from many communities across the country. This year, that diversity also includes three new college students from Afghanistan and several Bachelor students from the remote Kalash valley in Chitral. In terms of numbers, the entering intermediate class exceeds 2,000 while the entering Bachelor’s class exceeds 1,000.

A summer academic enrichment program providing pre-test coaching for aspiring university students organized by our Financial Aid Office headed by Phool Shahzad has also worked hard to maintain and expand the diverse community that is so much a part of the Forman experience. This year, that program included male and female students from a wide range of areas, from the deserts of Tharparkar in the far south of Pakistan to Chitral in the far north.

This outreach program was especially intriguing and involved support from many directions including students and faculty from Chitral, Gilgit and Baltistan who reached out to members of the Kalash community in amazing ways, inviting students from that area to the Forman campus. Once on campus, a number of people including Ayesha Anwar (Guardian) and Rimesha Farooq (Assistant Guardian) along with Eileen Dass and Sheeza James from the Rector’s Office did their best to welcome the students and make them comfortable. Dr. Shahid from the Mass Communication Department who is from the Northern Areas also did much to facilitiate this program and make it possible.

I appreciated the opportunity to meet three visiting officials from the Quetta-based Balochistan Education Endowment Fund (BEEF) which provides scholarships for students from Balochistan to attend Forman. Last year, two dozen of our students from Balochistan received BEEF scholarships; this year the number is expected to increase to more than thirty.

We received welcome news from the Higher Education Commission’s Quality Assurance Agency that the provisional score of Forman’s Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) has increased from 38.16 during 2018-2019 to 75.80 during 2022-2023. This is a major accomplishment, thanks largely to the leadership, dedication and work of Sarah Suleman and her QEC team.

Thanks to our Advancement and Alumni Office for hosting another in the continuing series of “Formanite Talkies,” this one held on August 8 and focused on Forman graduates working in the media. Several graduates cited specific members of Forman’s faculty including Dean of Humanities Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan and Mass Communication Chairperson Dr. Firasat Jabeen for playing an important role in shaping their careers. Given that my first degree was from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, I especially appreciated this opportunity to learn more about what our graduates are doing in this vital area.

The late summer monsoons brought flooding to Lahore including to our campus, briefly turning Main Field into a small lake that attracted many water birds seeking relief from the summer heat and prompting a visit by the Director of WASA to explore potential ways to mitigate water accumulation during the monsoon season. Against that backdrop, the seminar hosted by Forman on August 23 titled “Climate Change, Mega Cities and Urban Floods” seemed especially timely.

Dr. Vaqas and his team at Forman’s Population Research Center (PRC) played an essential role in organizing this event which also involved several external partners including the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), the latter represented by Abid Qaiyum Suleri who introduced himself as an Old Formanite; other attendees included Punjab Provincial Assembly Member Ahmed Iqbal. The importance of data and information emerged as a recurring theme throughout the seminar, along with a recognition that policy frameworks are vital and all sections of society need to become involved.

FCCU Annual Faculty Retreat Focuses on Emerging Trends in AI

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LAHORE: The Center for Learning and Teaching at Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) successfully held its in-person annual Faculty Retreat on August 20, 2024. The theme of the event was FCCU 2.0: Campus Culture and Emerging Trends in AI. This year focused on the integration of human skills with advancing artificial intelligence technologies and the impact on campus culture.

The Rector, Dr. Jonathan S. Addleton addressed the faculty about the university’s current performance and outlined the path moving forward in keeping with the Strategic Plan for the campus. Vice Rector, Dr. Douglas Trimble, presented a thorough analysis of AI trends, practices and expectations of both students and faculty on the campus. The session clarified the future development needs of the institution. Students from the graduating class of 2024 and faculty from different disciplines shared their comments and experiences providing a 360 degree perspective on the theme.

Two sessions were held over the day and much appreciated. Panel discussion on ‘AI and the Future of Work’ showcased experts across different areas of the economy who were invited on campus to voice how the marketplace was changing and expected to change in the coming years. The distinguished panelists were Dr. Fuad Khan, Advisor to the Chairman: Technology & AgriTech; Ahmer Bilal Soofi, Senior Managing and Founding Partner, ABS & Co.; Dr. Haider Abbas, Director General/Head of National Cyber Emergency Response Team; Prof. Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi, CEO at Knowledge Streams and former vice chancellor of LUMS and Shahzaib Sanwal, senior director, Ernst & Young (EY) Consultancy. Their insights provided a reflective discourse of how higher education will need to be restructured.

Dr. David Santandreu from Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (UAE) gave the keynote address on ‘AI & Higher Education: Preparing for Gen Z’ which outlined a vision for AI-integrated higher education and individualized learning pathways for Gen Z.

This retreat reinforced FCCU’s commitment to academic excellence and preparing students and faculty for a future in an AI-augmented global landscape. The success of the event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Dr. Rukhsana Zia, Head, and Dr. Mehwish Raza, Deputy Head of the Center for Learning and Teaching. Their strong leadership and meticulous planning were instrumental in ensuring the retreat’s smooth execution and meaningful impact on the faculty and the broader university community.

August 2024 Marks Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day Celebration

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Celebrating Pakistan’s Independence

Every August, the nation of Pakistan celebrates its independence, which it achieved from Great Britain back in 1947. In 2024, the students and faculty of Forman Christian College recognize Pakistan’s 77th birthday.

Forman Christian College has been an integral part of Pakistan’s history from the very beginning, before the beginning, in fact. Founded in 1864, Forman is more than 80 years older than Pakistan as a nation. Almost the first century of FCCU’s existence came during British occupation and before Pakistan and India became separate states.

“Forman’s students, faculty, and staff have served Pakistan well,” said FCCU Rector Jonathan Addleton. “We’ve fostered a sense of service, dedication, and excellence that has been passed from generation to generation in many ways.”

FCCU’s Impact on Pakistan

Since Pakistan gained independence, Formanites have made significant contributions across many fields. From education to healthcare, business to governance, and beyond, our alumni have consistently demonstrated integrity, excellence, fairness, discipline, accountability, and community service. 

With these values, Forman graduates are prepared to contribute in Pakistan and beyond. Many alumni go on to do great things and make a resounding difference globally. Their stories of achievement carry the Forman legacy as they represent Pakistan locally and abroad.

“For more than 160 years, Forman has dedicated itself to equipping students with these essential skills and values,” said Addleton. “These students provide an example for future generations as they contribute to their own families, communities, and country.”

Leaving a Proud Legacy

Those familiar with Pakistan’s history undoubtedly know the name Muhammad Ali Jinnah. A British-trained lawyer, Jinnah is known as the founder of Pakistan and served as the Republic’s first governor-general until his death in 1948.

In the last month of his life, Jinnah visited the campus of Forman College in Lahore—the same city where so much of Pakistan’s independence movement took place under his leadership. 

Forman Christian College is proud of its role in Pakistan’s history and proud of its continued influence on the country’s future.

Haroon’s Story: How One Scholarship Empowers an Entire Pakistani Village

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Haroon is an outstanding example of how education, faith, and an entire village have been deeply blessed by a scholarship to Forman Christian College.

Christians Stuck in Generational Poverty

Christians are a repressed minority in Pakistan. For generations, they’ve only had access to the most menial and low-paying careers, like bricklaying or other back-breaking labor. Many Pakistani Christians are illiterate, including Haroon’s father. 

The only way to break this cycle is to receive an education.

“I never went to school,” says Haroon’s father, Rahman. “I earned my living by providing feed for cattle. Then I started doing labor work. Now here I am, still doing labor.”

“I can still remember those days when I used to work on the second floor with my father,” says Haroon. “I had to carry a hundred buckets of sand and about 20 buckets of stones up to the second floor one by one. That was the hardest everything I ever experienced in my life.”

Pursuing Progress Through an Education

“Thinking that I used to provide cattle feed and lay bricks in the furnace,” said his father. “If they [my children] also do this [work], we will not progress.”

Haroon’s father and mother encouraged Haroon and his brothers to pursue an education. The alternative is to spend his life as a brickmaker picking rice in the field surrounding their home. His parents simply could not abide by that.

“They want a better future [for us],” said Haroon. “My father told that he hasn’t studied a single class. He hasn’t gone to school in a single day.”

“My aim was for my children not to live like me,” agreed Haroon’s father. They will sit in good places. While we didn’t have enough food to eat, I told them to study. A person can only advance by getting an education. That’s why I thought my children should study and go forward in life. Thanks to Almighty God for making our dreams happen.”

The Transformative Power of a Scholarship

Despite scoring the highest marks in tests within his village, Haroon’s family could not afford an advanced education. Instead of despairing, Haroon persisted—he continued to study and work hard. He prayed for God to provide a path to Forman Christian College.

Attending and earning a university degree from Forman was Haroon’s goal for two primary reasons: not only would it provide him with a quality education, but it would also allow him to openly practice his Christian faith without fear.

“Education makes a difference,” said Forman Christian College rector, Dr. Jonathan Addleton. “Haroon thrived academically once he had the opportunity to attend Forman. This is an opportunity people like his father never had.”

“So many families can’t afford to send their children to FCCU,” continued Addleton. “That’s why the contributions made to scholarships are so important. Honestly, we could fund nearly as many students as we do without the support of our friends around the world.”

Thank You For Supporting a Student’s Education

The full scholarship Haroon received works to break generational poverty. He has been so encouraged by this life-changing opportunity that he wants the same for the other kids in his village.

“I hope the children from my village will be motivated to reach for their education,” said Haroon. “I want to do the work to guide them there.”

“This is because of you, Friends of Forman. I’m very thankful to you for giving me this opportunity. For straightening my path. May God bless you as you do the work for more students like me.”

“May God bless you so you can continue to help others like this,” said Haroon’s father. “You are making a poor family’s dream come true.”

Every village in Pakistan has a Haroon. Every village has parents just like his who want a better life for their children, grandchildren, and beyond.

God is using your gift to bring abundant Life to a people in a desperate place halfway around the world. We ask for your continued prayers and support we could not do this without supporters like you.

August 2024 Campus Update: Formanite Talkies Journalist Edition

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On August 8, 2024, the Advancement and Alumni Office hosted another series of Formanite Talkies, #Journalist Edition, celebrating the accomplishments of Formanite journalists. The evening began with a welcome address from Mrs. Badia Raza, Chief Marketing and Outreach Officer.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Jonathan S. Addleton, Rector FCCU, delivered insightful remarks on the profound impact of journalism and the significant contributions of Formanite journalists in the field. The event continued with a special introduction session where alumni guests shared memorable experiences, expressing their gratitude towards the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan, Dean of Social Sciences, and Dr. Firasat Jabeen, Chairperson of the Department of Mass Communication, for significantly shaping their careers.

Following that, an interactive quiz session tested participants’ knowledge about FCCU adding a fun and competitive element to the event. The evening also featured a segment of entertainment, adding a lively and enjoyable element to the proceedings. The event concluded with a networking session over tea and refreshments, offering attendees an opportunity to connect and continue their conversations.

The event received high praise from participants and was a testament to the enduring bond between FCCU and its alumni.

Campus Outreach Updates: August 2024

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Written by FCCU Rector Dr. Jonathan Addleton.

Forman’s efforts to strengthen outreach this summer included a program involving approximately 45 students from underprivileged communities from across Pakistan, preparing them to take the admissions test for the Bachelor program. A variety of students participated as boarders including six from Sindh’s Hindu community; a Christian student from Balochistan; six students from Jaranwala, and five students from southern Punjab; another 20 students from Lahore are participating as day scholars.

In other sponsored by The News on July 6-7 at the Lahore Expo Center in Johar Town, providing an opportunity to showcase opportunities available on our campus for aspiring university students.

Joined by several student volunteers, staff members Nasir Gill, Fakhar Edina, Rohama Waseem, Angel Safdar and Sofia Shahzad were available to answer questions posed by the more than 120 people who visited the Forman stall to express interest in studying at our university. Speaker of the Punjab outreach, Forman participated in the Education Expo exp Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan also visited the Forman stall, lending his support.

As potential students look forward to the Fall 2024 semester, Forman’s extensive financial aid programs were featured in sixteen different English and Urdu newspapers across the country including Dawn, The News, Express Tribune, The Nation, Jang and Nawaiwaqt. Drawing on the headline “Empowering Education with Financial Aid and Scholarships,” the articles noted that during the 2022-2023 academic year Forman awarded 338 million rupees in grant assistance to more than 2,300 students; for 2023-2024, the figure exceeded 430 million rupees.

Many individuals have been involved in these outreach programs, making it difficult to list names without inadvertently leaving some out. However, I do want to recognize Suleman Khairullah (Admissions), Phool Shahzad (Financial Aid), Haroon Christy Munir (MarCom) and Badia Raza (Marketing and Outreach), among others, for their vital work in this area, especially as we look toward the Fall semester and the hoped-for attainment of our enrollment targets.

Leaders in Pakistan’s Tech Industry: Aezaz Hussain

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Mr. Aezaz Hussain is a pioneering figure in Pakistan’s IT sector. In 1977, he founded Systems Limited, marking the establishment of the first software house in Pakistan. His professional expertise and visionary leadership have significantly shaped the trajectory of the IT industry in the country. Over the years, Mr. Hussain has demonstrated exceptional aptitude in overseeing turnkey computer projects that encompass systems design, hardware selection, installation, and the planning and management of large-scale industrial projects.

A notable milestone in his career was the acquisition of Visionet Systems, Inc., based in New Jersey, USA, in 1997. Mr. Hussain took the helm of Visionet Systems as CEO and successfully led the organization until 2008, steering it through a period of growth and innovation. His leadership extended beyond corporate boundaries as he actively engaged in initiatives aimed at advancing the IT sector at the national level.

Mr. Hussain has been a key advisor on several government committees and advisory bodies that focus on Information Technology strategies and the development of public sector information systems. His contributions were pivotal as a member of Pakistan’s Information Technology Commission, a body that provided strategic advice to the President of Pakistan on IT-related matters and national policies.

Furthermore, Mr. Hussain played a foundational role in the establishment of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), serving as its founding President and remaining an active member. Under his leadership, P@SHA has been a driving force in promoting and supporting the software industry in Pakistan, advocating for policy reforms, and fostering a conducive environment for IT businesses to thrive.

In addition to his contributions through P@SHA, Mr. Hussain has also served on the Information Technology Commission of Pakistan, where he provided strategic direction and policy recommendations. He has been a member of the Council of the Computer Society of Pakistan and the Economic Advisory Board of the Government of Pakistan, where his expertise has informed economic policies and IT initiatives.