JEDDAH: The Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association (JMIAA) in Riyadh recently held a gathering to build relations between young and older members, release a directory of its graduates in the Kingdom, and highlight progress at the university.

Speaking on the occasion, Mushahid Hussain, former head of the nanotechnology department at Jamia and current vice chancellor of MJP Rohilkhand University, said: “Jamia is doing well and is at the vanguard of nanotechnology research in India.”

He said Jamia is the first university in India to establish a nanotechnology research center and enjoy the distinction of working closely with India’s premier Defense Research Development Organization.

He said that the graduates of this organization also helped establish and run nanotechnology research centers in the Kingdom, especially the one at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah.

Ghizal Mahdi, president of the association, welcomed the audience with his opening address that highlighted the major projects of the association.

Hussain also mooted the idea of setting up an educational advisory panel of the Jamia alumni in the Kingdom to share information about educational opportunities for the children of the Indian community.

He said young people can also approach him if they want to enroll in vocational courses at MJP Rohilkhand University, which received thunderous applause from the audience.

Mohammad Talib, a graduate of Jamia and currently a faculty member at the institute of social and cultural anthropology at the University of Oxford, delivered the keynote address.

He said values define a university and that physical structures and grand buildings can in the words of former President of India Zakir Hussain, become the “graveyards of institutions.”

He encouraged members to do all they can to improve their skills, and look to the founding members for inspiration on how to live simply. He also congratulated the Jamia alumni for resurrecting the values of Jamia in the form of the annual event “Jamia Campus across the Sea.”

Talib also expressed his delight at the launch of a directory of Jamia alumni working across the Kingdom. The two guests later traveled to Dammam to inaugurate an alumnus chapter of Jamia there.

Bouquets were presented on behalf of the association to the guests by former presidents of JMIAA-Riyadh, Murshid Kamal and Khursheed Anwar, and Irfanul Haque, the joint secretary.

Earlier, the program began with a recital from the Holy Qur’an and an interpretation by JMIAA’s treasurer Abdul Rahman. The program was moderated by Ahsan Nadwi who interspersed the proceedings with Urdu couplets amid applause.

Abid Aqeel, general-secretary of the association, presented a report on the activities of the body including extra-curricular activities and various welfare projects undertaken.

Najeeb Qasmi, announced the results of the speech and drawing competitions. Children were given awards and prizes by the guests. Another highlight of the program was a free sugar and blood pressure checkup for people attending.