Dear Alumni,
I have put forward my name as a candidate for President of GIKI Alumni Association.
A brief introduction: I am from batch 4 (FCSE). I am working in Bentley Systems (formerly Trivor Software) in Islamabad since 2003. I am currently a Software Development Manager providing technical and administrative leadership to a group of about thirty engineers. After graduation from GIKI, I worked for couple of years in Askari Information Systems before doing my Masters in Computer Science from Purdue University (2001-2003), where I was also a graduate teaching assistant. I am a member of Purdue Alumni Association.
I am running for the presidency because I believe that we as alumni can not only give a lot back to the Institute but also do a lot of good for each other. I am encouraged to run because we have a strong foundation set by Mohsin and his team characterized by three factors: an established organization with a charter; a strong relationship between GIKI administration and GIKIAA and a set up in which the GIKI administration is looking towards alumni for support.
My vision for GIKIAA: My first priority would be to fix the present disconnect between the alumni and the association. The need is to forge a symbiotic relationship between GIKIAA and the alumni. I plan to do this by directly networking with the alumni around the globe and trying to set up localized organizations. These organizations will not only hold regular social networking events but also organize professional development activities. This might include seminars and workshops on general interest topics which will help the alumni professionally and also provide them with an opportunity to widen their business and professional networks. I believe an alumni organization can only be effective when the alumni sees its positive influence on their professional lives and not just a platform of channeling funds and support back to the Institute.
I would also like to turn GIKIAA into an organization that contributes back to GIKI in more ways than one. The only significant way the GIKIAA is currently contributing is through the financial assistance program for GIKI students. This needs to be diversified to areas like helping students get jobs, internships and guidance for higher studies and helping local GIKI initiatives and organizations (e.g. Project Topi). I intend to increase the reach of the financial assistance program as well by seeking funding and support from corporate and social organizations.
Leading an alumni association will be a new experience for all the incoming office bearers including myself. We all have ideas and plans, as has been very concisely described in recent emails from the candidates as well as others. I myself relate to many of these. However, I and my team will start with first hearing back from the alumni and also learning from other more established alumni organizations before moving forward. There is a lot of synergy in the alumni and that is something that should be harnessed.
I am based in Islamabad and this is logistically helpful in forging a strong relationship with the Institute. Since graduation I have been present on most of the open house events, SOPHEP events, alumni reunions and company interviews. The experience equips me to build upon the strong relationship between GIKIAA and GIKI that Mohsin and his team is leaving behind.
We are all aware of the problems that the Institute is facing and I am firm believer that we have the capacity to help out. This can be done by making GIKIAA a more vibrant organization that serves the Institute in more ways than one as well as benefits its members too.
I look forward to your support and votes. More important than voting for me, please do vote!
Best Regards,
Ather Imran Nawaz
Candidate for President GIKIAA
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/5/109/65
PS: Kindly forward the email to your batch and other GIKI mailing lists.
