Visiting a College Campus is a Life-Changing Experience

Rev. Dr. Graham Baird is the senior pastor of BurlPres, a large Presbyterian church located in Burlingame, California, just south of San Francisco on the bay.

Dr. Baird has twice visited the Forman Christian College campus in Lahore, Pakistan. His most recent visit was in December 2024 with a group of other church leaders and Friends of Forman staff.

“Visiting the FCCU campus has changed my life,” said Dr. Baird. “I’ve been many places in my life, but I’ve never been anywhere as magical as Lahore. Don’t believe the words you hear in America about how awful it is over here. This is a place of God.”

Churches Supporting Scholarships as Mission Work

Under Dr. Baird’s leadership, BurlPres has been a strong supporter of Friends of Forman. They’ve come to see the impact that a Christian education can have in a foreign nation like Pakistan. However, seeing this impact in person makes an even greater impact.

“We’ve experienced such generosity and openness. These are people of God. Jesus said the meek shall inherit the earth. These are the people He was talking about.”

Giving back to an organization like Friends of Forman is how many churches support Christian missions abroad. The scholarships you provide to deserving students have a far-reaching impact on their family and local communities.

Experiencing Equality and Tolerance on Campus

This equality and tolerance extends not only to female students, but also to those from different socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. These minority students likely wouldn’t otherwise have the same educational opportunities, because most Pakistani schools aren’t as open as FCCU.

“It’s so profound to see these women who come out of abject poverty. We see abject poverty in the United States. But to hear these stories of life transformation is so powerful.”

Even something as simple as opening and practicing a Christian faith is something the Western world can take for granted. However, Dr. Baird and the other visitors experienced firsthand how important this is for the Christian students at FCCU.

“Music has been a big part of our trip. Christians value music, and it’s something we take for granted when we openly sing our hymns on Sunday. When we were in the chapel, the kids were singing worship music with such fervor. We’ve seen so many examples of people sharing their faith through music. It may sound simple, but it’s truly amazing.”

If you’re interested in visiting the Forman Christian College campus in Lahore, please contact Friends of Forman to learn more.

Dr. Carlo Coppola, a widely published Urdu language scholar, recently wrote to request permission to reprint a story from Folio, a Forman magazine that is no longer published. As Dr. Coppola describes it, he is working on a new book tentatively titled Speaking Of/To/With & About South Asian Writers: Interviews, Essays and Reflections.

One of the authors featured in that forthcoming book is Krishan Chander, a prodigious writer in both Urdu and English who early in his literary career served as Assistant Editor for the Folio; in fact, his very first work in English was published in the Folio. It also seems that Krishan’s first published Urdu short story, entitled “Sadhu”, appeared in the Folio in 1932.

While the initial contact was made via English Department Chair Syeda Fatima, the e-mail conversation eventually also included Chief Librarian Farrukh Shahzad who was able to locate the Urdu sh short story in question, noting that it had also been republished in the Folio Centenary Edition covering the period 1864-1964 (November 1964). As Dr. Coppola describes it, this is indeed a “literary coup for the Folio and FC College”!

In fact, Dr. Coppola was even more effusive in his praise for the literary detective work undertaken by Forman, as the following extract from a more lengthy e-mail indicates:

What a discovery! My head is spinning all morning with this news. It is “A BIG DEAL”! And it should be shared widely . . .

First, of course, the story needs to be translated into English. This should be done under the auspices of both FCC’s Urdu and English departments.

I suggest that plans should be devised to arrange seminars, one in Urdu, one in English, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Krishan Chander’s passing in 2027, using the discovery of this story as a kind of “resurrection” of KC’s reputation as a writer in English, or simply the recognition of Krishan Chander’s reputation as world-class Urdu writer of fiction.

We all know that it is not too early to work on such seminars this far in advance. Both of these could be held on the campus of FCC, or the one in English could be held at the University of Wisconsin (https://southasiaconference.wisc.edu/) . . . or at the annual of the South Asian Literary Association (https://southasianliteraryassocation.org/) an affiliate of the Modern Language Association, the world’s largest literary association.

Additionally, I suggest that FCC undertake the publication of Krishan Chander’s essays and stories …There are enough entries to form a fine collection. This should be done as a complement to any seminar, or published independent of any seminar. That Reader should also contain some of his non-literary writing, much of which he did in English.

I have described this discovery as a mini-Rosetta Stone event. Hyperbole, of course, but appropriate to the occasion . . . Congrats to all.

Excerpt from the May 2025 Rector’s Newsletter

The Chemistry Department remembered “one of its own”, holding a heart-felt memorial service on April 22 to honor the life and legacy of Professor Emeritus Dr. Munir who passed away on March 25, bringing together family, colleagues, students and others to pay tribute to his wonderful contributions and enduring impact.

Department head Dr. Shazma Azeem introduced the moving event, starting with a video highlighting Dr. Christy Munir’s life, professional journey and academic accomplishments. Others including Dr. Douglas Trimble (Vice Rector); Dr. Gloria Calib (Associate Vice Rector); Dr. Hassan Amir Shah (Dean of Natural Sciences); Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik (Dean of Postgraduate Studies); and various others shared personal reflections celebrating his role as a mentor, educator and compassionate friend, noting that his life would continue to inspire others for generations to come.

Also, The Chemistry Department held its annual Lab Safety Workshop on April 28, with a view toward raising student awareness about essential safety protocols developed for laboratory environments. The first technical session involved seven speakers (Dr. Shazma Azeem, Dr. Mariya al Rashida, Dr. Muhammad Saeed Iqbal, Dr. Dildar Ahmed, Dr. Muhammad Abbas, Dr. Abdul Hafeez and Dr. Seemal Jelani), combining insightful presentations with hands-on training. This was followed by a second technical session focused on practical training in fire extinguisher use and first aid, provided by FCCU Health and Safety Officer Major Kanwal Arune Isaacs and Mr. Shahid Waheed from Rescue 1122.

The English Department’s “Writer’s Lounge” series continues to bring outstanding speakers to Forman. During this month that included a program on April 8 featuring Dr. Waseem Anwar (Director of Kinnaird College’s International Center for Pakistani Writing in English) and Nosheen Yousuf (English Instructor at Government College University in Faisalabad and columnist for Dawn and The Nation). Both Dr. Waseem and Nosheen served as editors for Transcultural Humanities in South Asia: Critical Essays on Literature and Culture (Routledge, 2022).

Also, the English Department’s Graduate Seminar Series hosted a talk on April 24 featuring Dr. Shahab Yar Khan, Associate Professor in the Department of Shakespearean Studies at the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia.

This was followed the next day by another talk as part of our English Department’s Graduate Seminar Series, this time on The Diversity of Sufi Literature in South Asia delivered by Dr. Waqas Sajjad, Assistant Professor at Beaconhouse University.

Raheel Iqbal, CEO of Game Storm Studios and Director of the OZI Group, led an interactive session for Computer Science students on April 9, drawing on his seventeen plus years working in game and applications development.

Our Visual Arts Department staged a wonderful Art Exhibit featuring student work as part of their Painting and Drawing classes (ARTS 111 and ARTS 102). This was the first student exhibit featured in the new Forman Art Gallery in the Jim Tebbe Campus Center and from my perspective the results were amazing.

The Geography Department organized a one-day trip to Kallar Kahar, the Katas Raj Temples, and the Khewra Salt Mines on April 12, providing opportunities to explore one of Pakistan’s unique physical, geological and cultural landscapes while also setting the stage for field-based learning.

Finally, a special thanks to Dr. Aneel Samuel who has provided dedicated service to the Forman College Urdu Department for the past fifteen years; he now moves to the University section of our institution where we expect his contributions will be equally significant. At the same time, we welcome Dr. Shahida Dilawar Shah, a prolific contributor to Urdu literature and the author of several books, as the new head of the College Urdu Department.

As College Vice Rector Dr. Ivan Suneel notes, “We express our deepest gratitude for Dr. Aneel Samuel’s commitment, leadership, and contributions over the years”. At the same time, “We are confident that Dr. Shahida will take the Department forward with vision and strength”.

Excerpt from the May 2025 Rector’s Newsletter

My name is Bhalji. I belong to a remote area in Sindh, a place that has ignited a spark in me to pursue education for change in my society, which I carry forward in my journey at FCCU.

I belong to a family in which education is rarely found, and everything depends on hard work in fields and farming. I want to create a change in my society. In the future, I want to help students like me.

I decided to choose FCCU because it has a system of quality education that is rarely found in Pakistan’s universities. It creates an environment where people are intellectually curious and grow in excellence.

FCCU is a diverse liberal arts university. The lively, dynamic community fosters both professional and personal development. There is a combination of demanding academic programs, a robust faculty and peer network, and a dedication to holistic development. A well-rounded education, exposure to various viewpoints, and the chance to flourish in a demanding yet encouraging environment are some of its advantages.

My father died a few years ago (may God rest his soul in peace), and since then I have been under the guardianship of my brother. He is older than me and takes care of my family. He is a farmer but hardly earns enough money to make ends meet. It is very difficult for him to pay my fees.

I have four older brothers. None of them is studying or has studied at any school. I am the only one in my family pursuing higher education.

I applied for financial aid because there is no one to support me financially. Since my guardian is unable to pay my fees, I want to pursue my education and sought this way to continue. I applied for financial aid to ease the financial burden on my family and to ensure that I can focus fully on my studies. This support will allow me to pursue my educational goals without worrying about financial constraints and will bring me one step closer to realizing my dreams.

FCCU has supported me throughout my academic career. It has given me the tools, guidance, and opportunities I need to advance both intellectually and personally. The campus atmosphere, the vibrant student body, and the faculty’s mentoring have all greatly influenced who I am today.

I have gained priceless life skills from my time at university, including teamwork, critical thinking, and time management. I have learned how to be more adaptable in a constantly changing world, to approach problems with an open mind, and to seek opportunities for collaboration.

My long-term objective is to take the CSS exam and secure a position as a Deputy Commissioner after I graduate. Through social programs and efficient governance, I hope to positively impact my community, especially the underprivileged. I am passionate about helping people in need and working toward a more equitable society.

To my donors, I am sincerely and deeply grateful for your kind assistance. I now have hope and the chance to pursue my dreams because of your generosity. I pledge to work hard and take full advantage of this opportunity to truly make a difference. I am incredibly thankful for your selflessness and belief in my potential.

Visitors this month included a Friends of Forman team from the US headed by Executive Director Roger Dermody and including Friends of Forman Board Chair David Renwick. Friends Board member Kristine Braden who spent 25 years at CitiBank (and was CEO of CitiBank Europe) took

Once again, our Friends of Forman guests appreciated the many courtesies extended to them across the campus throughout their visit. One special highlight was a Founder’s Day visit to the grave of Rev. Charles Forman situated outside the Old City.

Other recent visitors include Parvez Samuel Dean from Asheville (North Carolina) who taught English and Mass Communication at Forman from 1968 until 1981 and then again from 2003 to 2010; his former students included both Dr. Kamal and Dr. Sufian.

Parvez mentioned that he had grown up on the Gordon College campus in Rawalpindi when Dr. Robert Tebbe headed the Chemistry Department. In addition, he recalled his contributions to basketball at Forman while also noting that this was his first visit to Forman since 2010, having served as Associate Vice Rector for Academic Affairs under Dr. Dubash during 2007-2010.

Often our visitors stay at the Christy Munir Guesthouse, next to the Forman Botanical Gardens. Yousaf Benjamin and Fayyaz Raza representing Gideon’s International dropped by the Rector’s office on March 21 to request that Gideon Bibles in both English and Urdu be placed in each of our 10 guesthouse rooms, in case future visitors request them.

Investments in IT infrastructure are vital, even as the costs of this essential item continue to escalate. In particular, the demand for videos and live streaming among students, faculty and staff is high and growing, even as we work to increase the bandwidth that we pay for to help cover it.

Although there are three months left in this financial year (July 2024 to June 2025), thanks to Anthony Richards as Chief Information Officer and Furqan Seith as Chief Financial Officer we have purchased more than 440 new computers, providing for a much-needed IT upgrade across the College and University. This includes 146 computers for the Campus Center; and 150 computers for college computer labs; and 80 computers for university computer labs (plus another 20 computers for university physics labs).

Virtually all of these purchases have been internally funded, the main exceptions being three computers for the Forman Population Research Center provided by the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA); five computers for the Center for Biblical Training and Research (CBTR) funded by an anonymous foundation via Friends of Forman; and 40 computers for the Light of Hope Computer Lab, also funded by Friends of Forman.

In addition, the IT Equipment Policy approved last year has led to many members of faculty and staff buying laptops and receiving reimbursement for some of the costs involved. With respect to staff specifically, Assistant Managers and higher are eligible to apply for laptops — and, so far, at least 40 eligible members of staff have by now requested and received them.