HYDERABAD, July 27: Commissioner Hyderabad Division Fayaz Hussain Abbasi described the late Professor Dr Abdul Qadir (A.Q.) Ansari as an institution in himself, saying that his knowledge, research, and exemplary character had provided guidance to society for decades.
He expressed these views while addressing a condolence reference held at Dr N.A. Baloch Hall, organised jointly by the Sindhi Language Authority and the University of Sindh in memory of Dr A.Q. Ansari, the founding Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Sindh.
The event was attended by prominent educationists, scholars, researchers, and intellectuals from across Sindh, who paid rich tribute to Dr Ansari’s contributions to education, research, institution-building, and public service.
Commissioner Abbasi said Dr Ansari had chosen to serve his country and people despite having opportunities to pursue a successful career abroad after completing his PhD. Instead of seeking personal success overseas, he devoted his academic knowledge and research to the development of Pakistan.
He described Dr Ansari as a multidimensional personality who promoted discipline, humility, honesty, and selfless service. Abbasi said universities should continue organising similar programmes so that students and teachers could learn from the lives and achievements of distinguished personalities like Dr Ansari.
Presiding over the ceremony, University of Sindh Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Fatah Marri said Dr Ansari was a sincere, honest, and visionary educationist who laid the foundations of several important institutions.
He said the best example of Dr Ansari’s institution-building was Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, where he served as the founding Vice Chancellor. Dr Marri noted that although many university buildings were constructed under Dr Ansari’s supervision, his name was not placed on any of them because he believed the buildings had been built with public funds rather than personal wealth.
He further described Dr Ansari as an outstanding educationist, agricultural scientist, researcher, author, and administrator, adding that a university chair should be established in his name to preserve his academic legacy.
Sindh Madressatul Islam University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mujeeb Sahrai recalled the historic period when Mehran University, Sindh Agriculture University, and NED University Karachi were upgraded on the same day. He said it was a challenging time, but educational leaders including Dr A.Q. Ansari successfully overcame those difficulties and laid strong foundations for these institutions.
He said he also had the honour of serving as Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University but acknowledged that the institution’s foundation had been established through the vision and leadership of Dr Ansari. He also supported the proposal to establish academic chairs in his honour.
Sindh Agriculture University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Altaf Ali Siyal said Dr Ansari had demonstrated how a newly established university could be developed into a successful institution. He noted that the three faculties created by Dr Ansari remained in place for four decades before the fourth faculty was recently established.
Dr Siyal said Dr Ansari was not only an accomplished researcher but also an excellent administrator whose research publications and academic work continue to benefit students, researchers, and society. His contributions, he added, extended beyond agriculture and provided valuable guidance for public welfare.
Chairman of the Sindhi Language Authority, Dr Sher Mehrani, highlighted the many dimensions of Dr Ansari’s personality. He said that although Dr Ansari was a scientist, he also compiled an important dictionary of scientific terminology in the Sindhi language to make scientific knowledge more accessible to local people.
He added that Dr Ansari believed true honour came through service rather than personal recognition. Despite leading several institutions, he never chose to live in official government residences.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Special Secretary to the Government of Sindh Zain Ansari, son of the late scholar, said the true value of life lies not in the number of years lived but in how meaningfully every moment is spent.
He recalled that his father was extremely punctual and dedicated to his work, mentioning that he reported to his office at 7:30 a.m. on the morning after his wedding. He said his father belonged not only to his family but to the entire nation because great individuals become national assets through their service.
Renowned researcher Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi said Dr Ansari achieved remarkable success during a period when educational and research facilities were very limited. Despite the lack of modern technology, he successfully led several institutions and also made valuable contributions through the Mohenjo-daro Committee.
Agricultural researcher Dr Ismail Kunbhar described Dr Ansari as a distinguished scientist, researcher, and administrator who established strong academic and research traditions. He said personalities of such calibre emerge only once in generations.
Director of the Allama I.I. Qazi Chair at the University of Sindh, Dr Makhmoor Bukhari, stressed the need to introduce the younger generation to the lives and ideas of great scholars. He said Dr Ansari devoted his entire life to knowledge, honesty, integrity, and public service while remaining closely connected to his people.
The memorial reference was also addressed by Dr Khalil, Professor Rashida Bhatti, Dr Naheed Baloch, and Professor Anwar Ali Shah, who highlighted Dr Ansari’s lasting contributions to higher education, scientific research, and institution-building in Sindh.
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