Importance and Reward of Seeking knowledge.
Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP) is the leading professional body founded by Qaied-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 20 June 1948 for promoting Engineering, Technology and Scientific knowledge. We as Institution of Engineers Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Center (IEP-SAC) come together and share innovative technical knowledge among fellow engineers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). My priority as Chairman is to transform IEP-SAC into a vibrant community by taking advantage of the shared strength and new ideas on technical knowledge for the benefit of engineers.
In September 2022, the IEP-SAC local council entrusted me with the responsibility of being the Chairman of IEP-SAC for the biennial term 2022-2024. The other two office bearers endorsed by the local council are Engr. Muhammad Asim Siddiqui -General Secretary, and Dr. Syed Fakhir Hassni -Joint Secretary. Five convenors of the IEP-SAC standing committees were revamped, whereas the other three past convenors were requested to continue their responsibilities with the same committees. The past Chairmen, Engr. Jaleel Hasan, Engr. Mubashir Hussain Kirmani, and Engr. Syed Muhammad Iqbal Ahmed are requested to play their active role in the committees for the benefit of the engineers and they accepted the request of the new Chairman.
IEP-SAC is providing a platform to all Pakistani engineers in KSA to excel their skills, share knowledge through seminars and technical papers, socialize among engineers along with their families, and help needy meritorious engineering students in Pakistan; all is done under the patronization of Pakistani Embassy. In addition, IEP-SAC is always striving to bring the information and knowledge of the most modern engineering techniques and trends to our fellow Pakistani engineers. Keeping our tradition intact, we had organized a mid-term seminar titled “Machine learning with the role of academia in data science: Challenges and approaches” on 9 December Dr. Awais Mahmood from King Suad University, Saudi Arabia was the keynote speaker of the seminar. Also, we organized a family picnic on 10 February 2023 witnessing overwhelming participation of the engineering community wherein prizes were distributed to all the winners of the games for adults, ladies, and children.
We have now planned our annual engineer’s convention with technical seminar to be held on Thursday, 4 May 2023, at King Salman Social Centre in Riyadh. Dr. Sohail Munir, Advisor -NEOM, Saudi Arabia, Expert in Digital Transformation, Government Technologies, Cognitive Cities, Emerging Technologies, will visit us from Dubai and deliver a seminar on current issue with the topic “Smart Cities to Cognitive Cities – Trends and Opportunities”. We encourage Pakistani Engineers to play their role in the software industry in collaboration with their Saudi counterparts. They can enhance their contribution in the areas of solar energy and wind energy. Nonetheless, IEP-SAC appreciates fellow engineers on your hard work, professionalism, and on your contribution towards the development of Saudi Arabia. In return, fellow engineers enjoy professional stature and earn foreign exchange that is also injected into the economic arteries of Pakistan.
On behalf of IEP-SAC, I would like to express the gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud for their hospitality and cooperation to Pakistani community and engineers. We are thankful to the Prime Minister and Crown prince His Royal Highness Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz and his government for the exemplary leadership and vision 2030, and for providing a favorable environment for the professionals to put their engineering skills in practice.
We are grateful to H.E. the Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for his support and patronage to IEP-SAC. We appreciate the cooperation of the Embassy of Pakistan and its employees and staff for their unceasing support to us. I extend my attribute and accolade to all my Council Members in Central and Eastern regions for their dedication and commitment to their voluntary services towards IEP-SAC goals and objectives.
We acknowledge support of our sponsors, fellow engineers, Saudi Council of Engineers for their valuable contribution to the success of IEP-SAC. May Allah grant us more energy and strength to serve the engineering community even better.
Finally, I would like to deliver a message in the form of two short hadiths about the importance and reward of seeking knowledge. Narrated Anas bin Malik: that the Messenger of Allah ( (صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Who goes out in seeking knowledge, then he is in Allah’s cause until he returns.” Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.” So, we shall always put our efforts throughout the life to seek knowledge.
Best wishes and kind regards for all
Prof. Rafiq Muhammad Choudhry, Ph.D., PE, M. ASCE
Chairman, IEP-SAC, KSA
Friday 31 March 2023 (1444 Ramadhan 9)