NEDians Community News - PakAlumni Worldwide: The Global Social Network 2024-03-28T09:14:02Zhttp://nedians.ning.com/forum/categories/1119293:Category:8943/listForCategory?feed=yes&xn_auth=noNED Petroleum Students Win Second Prize in International Oil and Gas Competition in Budapesttag:nedians.ning.com,2014-12-14:1119293:Topic:998402014-12-14T03:51:05.599ZRiaz Haqhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/riazul
<h1 class="name post-title entry-title"><span>NED University Students Secured Second Position in Global UPPP Competition</span></h1>
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<div class="entry"><div class="pf-content"><p><strong><a href="http://www.pakistantribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NED-Student-MOL-Group.jpg"><img alt="NED University Students Secured Second Position in Global UPPP Competition | PakistanTribe.com" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25414" height="480" src="http://www.pakistantribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NED-Student-MOL-Group.jpg" width="800"></img></a> KARACHI – A three member team of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan has been ranked second best in a…</strong></p>
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<h1 class="name post-title entry-title"><span>NED University Students Secured Second Position in Global UPPP Competition</span></h1>
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<div class="entry"><div class="pf-content"><p><strong><a href="http://www.pakistantribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NED-Student-MOL-Group.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25414" src="http://www.pakistantribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/NED-Student-MOL-Group.jpg" alt="NED University Students Secured Second Position in Global UPPP Competition | PakistanTribe.com" width="800" height="480"/></a>KARACHI – A three member team of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan has been ranked second best in a global competition organized by Multinational Oil and Gas Company, MOL Group.</strong><span id="more-25412"></span></p>
<p>Out of 972 international teams 10 teams participated at the live finals between 9<sup>th</sup> and 11<sup>th</sup> of December in Budapest, Hungary. Polish students from AGH University of Science and Technology are ranked as the top team of the E&P competition. TeamMechanical from NED University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan secured second position while third place goes to OIL UP team from University of Miskolc, Hungary.</p>
<p>MOL Group, a leading international oil and gas company, is looking for top geoscience and petrotechnical talents.</p>
<p>972 three-member teams applied for the talent acquisition program UPPP from 27 universities in 14 countries, ranging from the UK and Central Europe to the Middle East. Top ten teams from 6 countries made it to the live finals which took place from 9<sup>th</sup> until 11<sup>th</sup> of December in Budapest. During the live finals, teams had to solve challenging tasks related to the competition motto “Enter if you dare” in a base camp, which was organized exclusively for the top ten teams. In the Live Final event, the best 5 teams had to present their case to MOL Group E&P management. Based on the jury’s evaluation, top three teams won a total of 20,000 Euro and got the opportunity to join MOL Group and start their international career through the 18-month “UPPP Technical Placement Program”.</p>
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<p>„We congratulate the top three teams for winning this one of a kind competition. I would like to thank all participants for their endless efforts during the competition. The outstanding results and feedback from the participants are showing us once more that we are heading in the right direction to attract top talents for MOL Group’s challenging E&P assignments. We are delighted to have that positive response and to set a new benchmark“, said Zdravka Demeter Bubalo, HR Vice President of MOL Group.</p>
<p>The first prize goes to ONIONgas team (Jakub Pitera, Dawid Bydlosz, Tomasz Malachowski) from AGH University of Science and Technology, Poland. “The three—day UPPP experience was astonishing. Every part of the program from the accommodation to the Finals was organized to the highest international standard. This has been the biggest adventure of our lives. Final results were completely unexpected, and we think winning the competition is a great kick-start of our careers.” said the winning team.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.pakistantribe.com/story/25412/ned-university-students-secured-second-position-in-global-uppp-competition/">http://www.pakistantribe.com/story/25412/ned-university-students-secured-second-position-in-global-uppp-competition/</a></p>
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</div> NED Alum Dead in Mysterious Circumstances in Lahore, Pakistantag:nedians.ning.com,2014-10-15:1119293:Topic:994972014-10-15T17:01:07.106ZRiaz Haqhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/riazul
<p><span>PTI activist NEDian Nabiha Chaudhry dead in Lahore. Was an officer in Punjab accounts and audit dept. Death suspicious.</span></p>
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<p><strong>LAHORE: A Woman officer Nabiha Chaudhry of accounts and audit department of Punjab allegedly committed self- immolation in Lahore on Wednesday (today), police said.</strong><span id="more-380829"></span></p>
<p>According to the police, investigation into the incident is underway to ascertain the facts whether she committed self-…</p>
<p><span>PTI activist NEDian Nabiha Chaudhry dead in Lahore. Was an officer in Punjab accounts and audit dept. Death suspicious.</span></p>
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<p><strong>LAHORE: A Woman officer Nabiha Chaudhry of accounts and audit department of Punjab allegedly committed self- immolation in Lahore on Wednesday (today), police said.</strong><span id="more-380829"></span></p>
<p>According to the police, investigation into the incident is underway to ascertain the facts whether she committed self- immolation or not.</p>
<p>Commissioner Lahore Rashid Mahmood Langarial said that police and administration were collection evidences regarding the incident and after her autopsy it would be clear what had happened to her.</p>
<p>The commissioner also said that she had attended all the class which were held today.</p>
<p>She was PPS-21 grade officers and hailing from Karachi.</p>
<p>The police also said that she had ordered to bring petrol from market adding that at the time of incident her office door was locked from inside.</p>
<p>The media report also stated that Nabiha’s father Saleem Chaudhry who was Principal of Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, was also murdered in Karachi in 2005.</p>
<p>Her maternal grandmother lives in Samanabad Lahore while her mother lives in Karachi Gulshan-e-Iqbal area and she is a teacher.</p>
<p>She did her BE Electronics Engineering from the N.E.D University of Engineering and Technology.</p>
<p>Nabiha was so much talented that she got top position in whole of country in her C.S.S exams.</p>
<p>She also runs a welfare school in Mir Pur Khas. She was die-hard supporter of PTI and remained president of student wing of party.</p>
<p>She had left her political activities after joining government office.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.thenewstribe.com/2014/10/15/women-officer-allegedly-commits-self-immolation-in-lahore/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.thenewstribe.com/2014/10/15/women-officer-allegedly-commits-self-immolation-in-lahore/</a></p> My Third Aritcle on LinkedIn...tag:nedians.ning.com,2014-08-27:1119293:Topic:992122014-08-27T09:19:18.614ZSyed Shaheer Javaidhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/SyedShaheerJavaid
<p>Another article published on LinkedIn, please let me know of your feedback!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140822163856-38380542-5-fun-things-to-do-at-work">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140822163856-38380542-5-fun-things-to-do-at-work</a></p>
<p>Another article published on LinkedIn, please let me know of your feedback!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140822163856-38380542-5-fun-things-to-do-at-work">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140822163856-38380542-5-fun-things-to-do-at-work</a></p> My Second Article on LinkedIn...tag:nedians.ning.com,2014-08-07:1119293:Topic:987652014-08-07T09:17:01.291ZSyed Shaheer Javaidhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/SyedShaheerJavaid
<p>You can see it here, please leave your comments and feedback</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140806171033-38380542-triumph-to-improvise-is-to-improvise-to-triumph?published=t">https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140806171033-38380542-triumph-to-improvise-is-to-improvise-to-triumph?published=t</a></p>
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<p>Thanks</p>
<p>You can see it here, please leave your comments and feedback</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140806171033-38380542-triumph-to-improvise-is-to-improvise-to-triumph?published=t">https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140806171033-38380542-triumph-to-improvise-is-to-improvise-to-triumph?published=t</a></p>
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<p>Thanks</p> My First Article on LinkedIn...tag:nedians.ning.com,2014-07-21:1119293:Topic:988192014-07-21T18:46:41.952ZSyed Shaheer Javaidhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/SyedShaheerJavaid
<p>You can see it here,</p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140721173320-38380542-the-non-marketer-s-theory-of-a-marketing-world?trk=object-title">https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140721173320-38380542-the-non-marketer-s-theory-of-a-marketing-world?trk=object-title</a></p>
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<p>Thanks</p>
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<p>You can see it here,</p>
<p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140721173320-38380542-the-non-marketer-s-theory-of-a-marketing-world?trk=object-title">https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140721173320-38380542-the-non-marketer-s-theory-of-a-marketing-world?trk=object-title</a></p>
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<p>Thanks</p>
<p></p> Norwegian Center of Excellence in Petroleum Studies Launched at NED Universitytag:nedians.ning.com,2014-03-09:1119293:Topic:965602014-03-09T01:02:29.293ZRiaz Haqhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/riazul
<p>Official Launching of Norwegian Centre of Excellence in Petroleum Studies & the First-ever Instance of International Collaboration between Pakistan's E&P Industry and Academia.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2866102122?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2866102122?profile=original" width="479"></img></a></p>
<p>A landmark event held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad on January 16, 2014 to celebrate the Project for Establishment of Centre of Excellence for Petroleum studies (CEPS) at Department…</p>
<p>Official Launching of Norwegian Centre of Excellence in Petroleum Studies & the First-ever Instance of International Collaboration between Pakistan's E&P Industry and Academia.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2866102122?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2866102122?profile=original" width="479" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>A landmark event held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad on January 16, 2014 to celebrate the Project for Establishment of Centre of Excellence for Petroleum studies (CEPS) at Department of Petroleum Engineering, NED University and Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Norwegian University of Science & Technology, Norway - NED University & Pakistan Petroleum Limited (NUNEP) for enhancement of Research & Development for Exploration & Production of Hydrocarbon Resources of Pakistan. The CEPS has been approved by PIP section of Planning & Development Division, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms and is being funded by Norwegian Government under Pak-3004 Institutional Co-operational Programme (ICP). The MoU between NUNEP will help in formulation of strong technological base for Research & Development at CEPS by utilizing the expertise & resources of the tripartite partners.<br/> Inaugurating the event Professor M.Afzal Haque, Vice-Chancellor, NED University welcomes the honorable and distinguished guests and emphasized on the need of quality education & research.<br/> Dr.M.Afzal, project Director, ICP highlighted the history and present status of projects and Norwegian grant. Head, Petroleum Engineering Department, NED University, Professor Abid Murtaza Khan, highlighted its significance, a sentiment echoed by Professor Emeritus, Stanford University, USA Dr Khalid Aziz & Professor Jon Kleppe, Director Centre for Integrated Research, NTNU, Norway. For his part, MD/CEO, PPL Asim Murtaza Khan gave an overview of the E&P industry as well as initiatives taken by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to incentivize E&P business and draw local and foreign investment. He also stated that the tripartite MoU, the first-ever instance of international collaboration between Pakistan's E&P industry and academia, will go a long way in training qualified professionals.<br/> Chairman HEC,Gilani praised the establishment of Centre for higher education and linkage between the industry & Academia for development of indigenous resources. Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan H.E Ms. Cecilie Landsverk congratulated for the establishment of CEPS and assured full support on behalf of herself and her Government. Jam Kamal, State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, while emphasizing on the need of quality education & research said that Pakistan will start exploring shale oil/gas reserves to deal with the long-standing energy crisis. Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was present on the occasion as chief guest who unveiled the plaque for the Centre and congratulated those involved in the effort. In his address, Abbasi underscored the need for academic and technical competence to revamp the E&P industry and have more exploration activities to meet the country's rising energy demand. Speaking about the project; He reiterated the government’s support for such initiatives.<br/> Professor Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Dean (CEA), while thanking the Chief Guest, Guest of honour<br/> and all other dignitaries from Public and Private sector, to Government of Pakistan, PIP Section,<br/> Ministry of Planning, Development & Reforms for approval of the project, Norwegian<br/> Government for its funding, Foreign Counterparts & Guests for taking out their time to<br/> participate and Grace this occasion. He also thanked Pakistan Petroleum Limited for its generous<br/> support for organizing this programme.<br/> MD and CEO PPL, Asim Murtaza Khan, Vice Chancellor NED University Professor<br/> Muhammad Afzal Haque and Head, Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied<br/> Geophysics at NTNU Professor Egil Tjaland signed the MoU on behalf of their respective<br/> institutions in the presence of Chief Guest and other dignitaries. Pro-Vice Chancellor NED<br/> University, Dr.S.F.A Rafeeqi, MD/CEO’s of major Petroleum Companies including OGDCL,<br/> OMV, MOL, Schlumberger & officials from Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform,<br/> Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources, Norwegian Embassy, NUST, PPL & public sector<br/> organizations were also present on the occasion. The occasion was widely covered by media and<br/> news papers of January 17,2014 (Dawn,The News, Buisness Recorder, Daily Times, Daily<br/> Express, Daily Dunya, Daily Khabrain) .</p>
<p><a href="http://www.neduet.edu.pk/news_events/news/30-01-2014/1.NEDwebsite%20news.pdf">http://www.neduet.edu.pk/news_events/news/30-01-2014/1.NEDwebsite%20news.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.neduet.edu.pk/news_events/news/30-01-2014/2.Photos.pdf">http://www.neduet.edu.pk/news_events/news/30-01-2014/2.Photos.pdf</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.neduet.edu.pk/news_events/news/30-01-2014/3.ppl%20ptv.mp4">http://www.neduet.edu.pk/news_events/news/30-01-2014/3.ppl%20ptv.mp4</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.neduet.edu.pk/news_events/news/30-01-2014/4.%20Press%20Clippings.pdf">http://www.neduet.edu.pk/news_events/news/30-01-2014/4.%20Press%20Clippings.pdf</a></p> Ex-VC Abul Kalam of NED University Passes Awaytag:nedians.ning.com,2013-05-09:1119293:Topic:921952013-05-09T17:41:17.285ZRiaz Haqhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/riazul
<p>Ex-Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Engr. Abul Kalam has passed away. </p>
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<p>Inna Lillah Wa Inna Elaih Rajeon!</p>
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<p>May his Soul Rest In Peace (Ameen)</p>
<p>His Namaz-e-Janaza is to be held in "Namaz-e-Asr" at "Masjid Abu Bakar" near his residence.</p>
<p>Residential Address: 55-A, South Circular Avenue, Street 12, DHA Phase-2</p>
<p>Ex-Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Engr. Abul Kalam has passed away. </p>
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<p>Inna Lillah Wa Inna Elaih Rajeon!</p>
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<p>May his Soul Rest In Peace (Ameen)</p>
<p>His Namaz-e-Janaza is to be held in "Namaz-e-Asr" at "Masjid Abu Bakar" near his residence.</p>
<p>Residential Address: 55-A, South Circular Avenue, Street 12, DHA Phase-2</p> NED Students' Solar Cartag:nedians.ning.com,2012-03-21:1119293:Topic:861912012-03-21T04:36:19.244ZRiaz Haqhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/riazul
<p>“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sacrifices, determination and hard work.” This was said by the team who is going to make Pakistan stand on a great international platform in Europe this year. The project, ‘Solar Car’, is the brainchild of Team CLAPTRIX, a group of eight students —Muhammad Yousuf Abbas, Danish Muhammad Saleem, Faaiz Baqer, Murtaza Ahmed, Ali Siddique, Akif Jawed, Arsalan Usmani and Fahadur Rehman of NED University of Engineering and Technology — who…</p>
<p>“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sacrifices, determination and hard work.” This was said by the team who is going to make Pakistan stand on a great international platform in Europe this year. The project, ‘Solar Car’, is the brainchild of Team CLAPTRIX, a group of eight students —Muhammad Yousuf Abbas, Danish Muhammad Saleem, Faaiz Baqer, Murtaza Ahmed, Ali Siddique, Akif Jawed, Arsalan Usmani and Fahadur Rehman of NED University of Engineering and Technology — who spent four months and Rs 400,000 on the project so far.</p>
<p>Last year, some of the blessed students of this brilliant team from NED-UET had achieved a target to make Pakistan stand on an international platform by participating in ‘Shell Eco Marathon Asia, 2011’ held in Malaysia from July 6-9, 2011 on F1 Track by making a solar-powered car having efficient fuel consumption and an eco-friendly drive. They have initiated an idea for the betterment of economic crisis in the world and as well as in Pakistan by using alternate fuel ie solar.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012">http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012</a>\03\21\story_21-3-2012_pg9_1</p> NED Alumni Convention 2011 in New Jersey, USAtag:nedians.ning.com,2011-10-14:1119293:Topic:825092011-10-14T23:01:16.951ZRiaz Haqhttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/riazul
<p>Submitted By NEDian Safwan Shah</p>
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<div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;">Fellow NEDians,</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;">I had the opportunity to attend the 7th Annual NED Alumni Convention in New Jersey from 7-10 October 2011. This email is to share with you some of my impressions. My advance…</span></p>
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<p>Submitted By NEDian Safwan Shah</p>
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<div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;">Fellow NEDians,</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;">I had the opportunity to attend the 7th Annual NED Alumni Convention in New Jersey from 7-10 October 2011. This email is to share with you some of my impressions. My advance apologies if this is not something you are interested to read/hear - press delete now. If you know an NEDIan who would be interested to learn about the convention, please forward this email.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;">One word - Amazing. </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;"><br />
</span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">For sure, the 3 day Alumni Convention from October 7-10 2011 is testament to the organizing skills, significance of the NED brand and success of the NEDians across the world. NED Alumni Association of Tristate (NED-ATS) were the organizers. The location was an upscale Hilton Hotel in Parsipanny near Morris Town, New Jersey. NED-ATS must be</span></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;"> applauded for executing a world class event and making it possible for so many NEDians to come under one roof and demonstrate that NEDians are truly there for NED.</span></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Attendees were from the entire US, Canada, England and a few who had traveled from Pakistan (an elected MNA of NED origin being one from the Pakistan contingent.) I am sure there were other countries represented too but these were the folks I met and spoke with.</span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">Participants from Alumni associations of Alberta, Chicago, Silicon Valley, New England, DC, Southern California and Houston were in attendance. </span></em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Day 1 - Oct 7, 2011</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">I got there at about 5 PM after a direct flight from SFO. At the hotel check-in I was greeted by the staff and along with a key to my room I was provided a welcome package that included the agenda and program details for the next 2 days. Very slick.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There were a number of NEDians walking around the hotel. The final preparation/setup for the evening reception and entertainment was going on. I could see volunteers working feverishly to setup fancy banners, floor standing signs and registration tables.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">At about 630 PM the evening dinner was announced. As i looked around I was wondering if these arrangements were an overkill. A huge hall with decorated tables and stage was behind the food service area. There was easily enough space for 200 or more people.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Well, by 830 PM, there were easily 200 plus people there. In fact, i wouldnt be surprised if even 300 people were at this preliminary reception.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the inside hall there was a musical program by local talent, which i didnt focus much on. The sheer delight of meeting old friends was enough to keep me occupied. From Silicon Valley there was Ali Hasan Cemendtaur, Mukhtar (Mike) Zaidi, Ashraf Habibullah, Farrukh Sana, Khalid Tai and i am sure some others that I didnt know. It was an impressive beginning. Time went in a flash and after a few hours I figured I should do a time-check - it was 2 AM and I still had invitations to at least 2 other group meetups that were going on in various suites in the hotel. What had happened is that some batches had planned well in advance and had booked connected suites. I think one was the 86 batch in Mechanical (Cemendtaur's). I dropped in for a minute and there was one guy on a guitar ... having a blast. The other meet-up that i eventually didnt attend was the 1984 Civil Engineering group ... there were 27 people in their suites I was told ...</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">By 4 AM i returned to my room.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">BTW, the dinner was superb - kababs, nihari, free flowing chai to follow. Just superb.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Day 2 - 730 AM </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As i walked down I noticed that the entire event had moved to a huge hall configured as a theatre room. Outside the hall there were at least 10 stalls with various businesses selling jewelry, clothes, vacation tickets, insurance services, etc. In addition, there was another section where a very extensive continental breakfast arrangements had been made. Over the next 90 minutes we had breakfast, walked the stalls, met and greeted each other. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">At around 9 AM the conference segment began with a keynote by NEDian Salman Siddiqui. A very impressive speaker who happened to be my neighbor in Karachi over 30 years ago. Salman spoke about the energy crisis in Pakistan and also introduced his start-up around Solar System integration services. He described a solar energy solution to make NED self-reliant and free of load shedding. What impressed me was that he had a ready solution to offer and he had a plan to make things happen. It came as no surprise to me that several high-powered NEDians seized the moment and were talking to Salman about how they could help.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">After the keynote there were 2 panel discussions followed by Q&A. The 200 plus people in attendance were very engaged around the topics. The first topic was on entrepreneurship and the speakers included an NEDIan who employs over 450 people in his consulting firm. The other panelists were also effective in inspiring the attendees around entrepreneurship. I wish folks like Idris Kothari, Asghar Aboobaker, Amer Haider, Awais Nemat, Zulki (he sponsored), Zoaib Rangwala, Naveed Sherwani, Raghib Hussain, Rehan Jalil, Imran Qureshi and Sabahat Ashraf (plus many more) were there too. Hopefully, next time.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The second panel discussion was around how NEDians can help NED. I enjoyed the session but felt it became too focused around social issues. Perhaps that cant be avoided with the sheer complexity of the prevailing environment.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">By noon the discussions were over and a massive lunch feast was there to be enjoyed. I do remember that the kabas melted in the mouth.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">By 130 PM we were all on our own. I spent the time in various meetings and planning sessions for galvanizing the NED community and figuring ways to make the NED movement sustainable, year after year. Besides that I went to the stalls and bought some gifts.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">At 530 PM I was back for the showcase event - evening entertainment. The agenda had Hussain Haroon (Ambassador to UN), Zia Mohyuddin (no intro necessary) Mohammad Ali Shehki (ex NEDian), Alamgir (a frequent performer in NED events of the 80's) and Ashraf Habibullah (NED 1969). I must admit, I am a fan of Ashraf Habibullah. He illustrates the spirit of NED better than anyone I know.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">To my surprise I saw very few people this time. By now i was so used to seeing a crowd of NEDians wherever I went that it came as a surprise until someone pointed me to that massive lobby area of the hotel and said that hor douvres were being served there. As i walked up I was almost stunned by the crowd of several hundred NEDians and their families. The lobby had several tables with Pakistani appetizers and beverages to please anyone. I guess i was also taken aback by how well and formally the people had dressed for the occasion. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">At around 8 PM the entire event moved to a massive hall for the 650-700 guests. Everyone was assigned seating. We all had to get a wrist band for getting entry because the event was sold out days in advance.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For the next couple of hours there were speeches. Nothing of note there until Ashraf Habibullah got the mic and he weaved his magic. There is something about his style that resonates perfectly with NEDIans. The several hundred people were laughing and clapping the entire 20 minutes he spoke. Indeed, he is a treasure. Someone to be proud of. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A very fancy sit down dinner followed and several presentations around videos and photographs of NED were shared. These videos were sponsored by the organizers and some professional videographers had been hired to go to NED and create them. Very very impressive work. I hope they make them available on YouTube and other sharing sites.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">After the dinner and the various festivities the musical event began ... I think it was almost midnight by then. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The first was Zia Mohyuddin. He is quite incredible. For the next one hour he had the audience spellbound. Ghalib, Mushtaq Yousafi, Ashfaq Ahmed, Iqbal, ... flowed freely. It was hard not to be awed by his skill and class. He is a national treasure.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Then came Shehki. I hadnt seen him for over 25 years. It was such a blast from the past. I still remember my early days at NED when Shehki had passed out but would come back for various reasons (perhaps suppl'is) and once he sat in the cafeteria to sing a song. An interesting sight was when Shehki came singing into the audience and saw Mohammad Haseen standing in front of him. While singing he shook hands and i think they even embraced each other. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Alamgir came in at 2 AM and took the level of cheer even higher. One could feel the energy in the room as Alamgir went through his songs. It was touching when Alamgir asked for help when he began singing Jugni. Apparently his doctors have warned him to not over extend himself. Given the nature of the song he tends to get so zoned that he can worsen his health (he is waiting for a kidney transplant).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The event ended at 3 AM.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Day 3 - 8 AM</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The same hall that was used for the reception on the first day was used for the farewell reception. The breakfast was Paratha, Qeema, ... need i say more. This was the 5th or 6th meal over three days. There were easily over 100 people there. I was there till 11 AM when I left for the airport. Ran into Zia Mohyuddin at the door and asked him what NED meant to him - his answer "Aapka, hamaray watan ka future hai, isse sambhal kay rakhiye." </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">+++++++++</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the 6 hours or so of the return flight, I thought a lot about the whole NED experience. Are these events meaningless? Do we get any outcome from getting together? Is it worth flying several hours and spending several days and also hard earned money?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">I dont have a spiffy answer. All i can say is that something incredible happens each time when people get together in these events. The news reaches students at NED, they derive motivation and inspiration on learning that the alumni are connected and meeting every year. The local NEDians that come to these events make new connections, get new ideas, some get jobs, others start companies, some make business partners and a few just have a good laugh and go away. I really believe that 90% of self actualizing is the realization that others just like us have already paved the way and built the ladder that we can climb.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Having lived in the US for over 22 years I am as cynical as the other guy. There is no shortage of social causes and boil the ocean dreams that i hear every day BUT everything pales in comparison to my bond with NED and NEDians. I know that I am not the only one who feels that way ... there were hundreds of NEDIans, many who are financially not well off that attended these events. They came to feel better, feel connected, feel important, feel young, feel inspired, feel needed. Why do we always need an earth shattering cause to get together? For me it is enough that we are NEDIans and have a shared set of experiences. Having said that, i would be remiss to not mention that practically everyone that i met was doing something for NED ... sending books, hiring, donating money and time, you name it. The faculty that was visiting also mentioned to me that the best thing NEDians could do was to bring the several thousand NEDian alumni together and connected. This will create the strength in numbers that is needed to bring any change.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So, should NEDians get together every year in an Annual Alumni Convention? </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">My vote is yes. It sure beats the alumni meetings of my Stanford Business School and Boulder events. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">NEDians for NED.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">sincerely,</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">safwan shah</p>
</div> A movie about Late Farooq Nadeem (NED Elect-74) left us in Air Blue crash on 28 July 2010tag:nedians.ning.com,2011-03-24:1119293:Topic:759952011-03-24T11:32:26.232ZSadiq Farooqihttp://nedians.ning.com/profile/sadiqf
<p>Watch movie on YouTube</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tpLbc7hcA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tpLbc7hcA</a></p>
<p>Watch movie on YouTube</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tpLbc7hcA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tpLbc7hcA</a></p>