RIYADH, 5 September 2004 — India’s Ambassador Kamaluddin Ahmad has stressed the need for improving the educational standard of over 35,000 Indian children studying in seven schools in the Kingdom if they are to remain on a par with their counterparts back home.
The ambassador was inaugurating the Osmania University Old Boys’ Association (OUOBNA) at the Indian Embassy auditorium in the Diplomatic Quarter here on Friday. Dr. Mohammed Niaz Ahmad Khan, chairman, Indian International School Riyadh, was the guest of honor. Ahmad, who is leaving the Kingdom on Sept. 15, will be replaced by M.O.H. Farooq, who will take over on Sept. 22.
The ceremony began with the introduction of the aims and objectives of OUOBNA and its office-bearers Dr. Mohammed Niaz Ahmed Khan, adviser; Mohammed Quaiser, president; Mohammed A. Rasool, vice president; Mohammed Baseeruddin-general secretary; Shah Gulam Subhani, joint secretary; Mir Ahmad Ali, treasurer; Saleem Ahmed,, sports and cultural secretary.
Pointing out that Non-Resident Indian students should attain the same standard of education as their compatriots back home, the ambassador said the managements of Indian schools in the Kingdom as well as the parents should strive to maintain the educational standard of their children in order to avoid paying hefty capitation fee to pursue professional courses. To this end, both teachers and parents must bend over backward to take students forward on the road to educational progress. He greeted the launch of “OUOBNA” and hoped that it would not deviate from its professed goals.
Mohammed Quaiser, president of OUOBNA, thanked the ambassador for his support and guidance. He also paid tributes to Dr. Mohammed Niaz Ahmed Khan, whom he described as the moving spirit behind OUOBNA.
