Youth Must Harness Technology to Lead the World: Mian Akram Farid

RAWALPINDI ( WNAM REPORT ): The Gordonians  Own Alumni Association of Gordon College Rawalpindi, hosted a reunion event at their alma mater. Organized by Mian Akram Farid, Central Chairman of EFP, former President of ICCI, and former Vice President of FPCCI; Kahkashan Najmi , Brigadier (Ret.) Muhammad Asif; and US-based alumni Malik Qadir and Malik Muhammad Iqbal Shirazi, the gathering brought together distinguished alumni who have achieved prominent positions in government and various fields.
Among the attendees were notable figures such as Akram Sheikh, former Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Secretary of the Planning Commission (who joined Gordon College in 1957); former Federal Minister Raja Shahid Zafar; former Advisor to the Prime Minister and former President of Gordon College Union Raja Muhammad Anwar; former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Major (Ret.) Pervez Butt; Atomic Energy Commission’s Shaukat Hamid; Khalid Javed; Nasir Khan; Mian Abdul Rauf; Akhlaq; Colonel (Ret.) Iftikhar Hamdani; Liaquat Dar; Tariq Javed Butt; Muhammad Tahir; Akhlaq; Athar Habib; Professor Maqsood Jafri; Shahid Masood; Raja Mahfouz; Arshad Butt; Naveed Altaf; Mian Taj Muhammad; Ghulam Qureshi; Muhammad Ali; Hamid Habib; Mujahid Ashai; Nasreen Tariq; Fatima Azim; along with college faculty, students, and other distinguished guests.
Dr. Muhammad Gulfraz Abbasi, Principal of Gordon College, along with Vice Principal Professor Dr. Kamran Naseem, faculty, and students, warmly welcomed the attendees upon their arrival.
During the event, the Principal expressed his gratitude to organizer Kahkashan Najmi for her generous donation of one lakh rupees towards the installation of fans in the college’s Jubilee Hall, and also acknowledged the contributions of others who supported the college’s renovation efforts.
Mian Akram Farid, in his address to the gathering, expressed his delight in reuniting with his fellow alumni. He fondly recalled the formative years spent at the institution and acknowledged the profound impact of esteemed teachers like Principal Victor Mill, Professor Nasrullah, Professor Masood, Ms. Jane, Ms. Yasmin, Mr. Peter, and Mr. Nathaniel, whose guidance and mentorship played a crucial role in their personal and professional success.
Addressing the students present, Mr. Farid emphasized the transformative power of technology in the modern world and underscored the importance of acquiring relevant skills to thrive in the 21st century.
“In this era of rapid technological advancements, it is imperative for young people to equip themselves with the latest knowledge and skills to not only secure their own future but also contribute meaningfully to the progress and prosperity of Pakistan,” stated Mian Akram Farid.
Drawing upon his extensive experience in the fields of skills development and technology, Mr. Farid, who serves as a member of various government ministry committees and the convener FPCCI Technical and Skills Committee, highlighted the immense global demand for skilled professionals. He emphasized the vast opportunities available in the industrial and service sectors and lauded the government’s initiatives in providing international-standard training programs. He encouraged students to specialize in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and pledged his unwavering support and guidance to students in their pursuit of academic and professional excellence.
Mr. Farid also announced the provision of modern computers for the Gordon College IT lab, further demonstrating his commitment to empowering students with access to cutting-edge technology.
The event also featured the distribution of commemorative shields to the former Gordon College students by organizers Brigadier (Ret.) Muhammad Asif and Madam Kahkashan Najmi. In a symbolic gesture celebrating the spring season, the guests planted trees on the college grounds.