Professor
Dr. Syed Arif Kamal
Project Director, the NGDS Pilot Project; HEC-Approved PhD Supervisor
Program Convener, the Early Talent Research
Participation Program
MS (Indiana, Bloomington, USA); MA (Johns Hopkins, USA); PhD; Member AIAA (USA), IBRO (France)
Member, Expert Panel (Mathematics), National Curriculum Council,
Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan
Convener, National Curriculum Revision Committee
(Mathematics), Higher Education Commission
Convener, Subject Committee (Mathematics), National
Testing Service
Member,
Senate, Academic Council, Board of Faculty, Board of Studies; Ex-Chairman
Professor, Department of Mathematics
UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI
Office: Room
No. G-5, Department of Mathematics, University of Karachi, University Road
Paper Mail: University of Karachi, Post Office
Box No. 8406, Karachi 75270 (Pakistan)
Homepage: http://ngds-ku.org/kamal • e-mail: kamal(at the rate of)ngds-ku.org
Telephones: (92 21) 9926 1300-6 ext. 2293 (secretary),
ext. 2380 (direct)
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˝ Profile
˝ Professional
Skills ˝ Research
˝ Pedagogical
˝ Community Outreach
˝ Biodata
˝ Publications
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Synopsis
of Leadership Vision
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Leadership
vision demonstrated in 14 roles played in carrying out
progressively-increasing responsibilities (motivation, administration, crisis
management, conflict resolution, establishment of national
projects/laboratories) for Higher Education Commission (Government of
Pakistan), National Testing Service Pakistan, University of Karachi, Defense
Housing Authority (DHA) and Karachi Grammar School as well as grooming future
leaders through the Early Talent Research Participation Program, resulting in
policy change, elevation of education standard, improvement in examination
system and involvement of high school students in research activities. |
1. Philosophy
To
set and to realize goals, by proper planning, execution,
monitoring and evaluation, without compromising ethics and
principles; to achieve efficiency and effectiveness, through
knowledge, skill and attitude, without affecting relationships;
to create opportunities for faculty, staff and students by
mentoring and effective delegation, with adequate follow
through and follow up.
2. Methodology
Before taking up
the charge of Chairmanship of Depart-
ment of
Mathematics, University of Karachi I attended a
number of
training sessions, e. g., “Skills for Successful
Supervision”,
“Human-Resource Management”, “Interview-
ing Skills”,
“How to Conduct Performance Appraisals”,
“Training-Needs
Assessment (TNA)” and “Goal Setting”.
It is very
important to know the personality trait of one’s
subordinates,
one’s colleagues and one’s bosses as well
as one’s own
management style. For example, my self an
“owl” (indirect
and controlling), I have to move at a faster
pace and try not
to present information in detail with “eagle” (direct and controlling), whereas
I should openly show concern and appreciation as well as learn to compromise
with others while dealing with a “dove” (indirect and supportive). With
“peacock” (direct and supportive) I have to be more direct and be
accommodating. I analyze the style of the person I have to deal with and use
appropriate strategy. During the 3-year (full) term of my Chairmanship
(2003-6), all major policy decisions were taken after taking into confidence
the faculty.
The
same strategy is being applied in the other 13 roles of leadership, which I had
the opportunity to play as Head, Mathematics and Physics, Karachi Grammar
School (1979), Head, Departments of
Mathematics and Physics, DHA Degree College (1991-2), Convener, National Curriculum Revision Committee for
Mathematics, Higher
Education Commission, Government of Pakistan (2004-present), Convener, Subject
Committee (Mathematics), National Testing Service Pakistan (2009-present) as
well as assignments at the parent institution as, Project Director, the NGDS Pilot Project (1998-present), Chairman, Board of Studies
for Mathematics (2003-6) and Convener, Program in Industrial and Business Mathematics,
University of Karachi (2003-6), Acting Convener, Testing Services Committee
(2008-10, during absences of Convener),
Head, Research Groups in Astrodynamics (1995-present), Image Processing
(1996-present), Mathematical Biology (1998-present) and Mathematical Physics
(2005-present) as wel1 as Director, the Syed Firdous Growth and Imaging
Laboratory (2008-present). I am, also, contributing in grooming future
leaders as Program Convener of the Early Talent Research
Participation Program, University of
Karachi (2002-present).
3. Accomplishments
Realizing that every manager is not a
leader, but every leader must be a good manager, I have stricken a balance
between routine and development work, made systems of paper handling and task
management, improved upon the punctuality of the staff and the students during the three-year tenure of Chairmanship. I am a good listener and have been able
to handle stressful situations, appropriately. On the academic side, four
seminar series have been revived, a new seminar series
(Professional-Skills-Development-Seminar Series) launched, a major seminar
conducted and industrial sector contacted to conduct TNA and to provide
internship for our students. The department got its own multimedia projector.
The computer lab was upgraded with latest P4 computers and laser printers
installed. Department website was made and inaugurated by Registrar of the
University. On the human-resource
development side, new posts in various cadres announced, applications collected
and processed (scrutiny completed). In addition, behavior-based interviewing
system has been devised and implemented for the hiring of coöperative teachers.
I, also, started faculty-development programs. PC-1 forms have been prepared
and submitted for future expansion and enhancement of the department.
Board
of Studies for Mathematics, University of Karachi, under my chairmanship,
prepared and approved BS, MS and PhD programs, in line with revised HEC
curricula of 2005. In fact, Department of Mathematics was the first to put
forward these curricula, in response to April 5, 2005 instructions of Vice
Chancellor. All decisions were
taken with consensus. Not a single meeting was adjourned because of lack of
quorum.
As
Convener of Program in
Industrial and Business Mathematics,
University of Karachi, I was able to establish industry-university linkage.
Faculty from Department of Mathematics gave workshops and professional
development short courses for industry. In return, industry offered internships
and jobs to our students. Students of morning program could also pursue Masters
in Industrial and Business Mathematics.
As Director of the Syed Firdous Growth and
Imaging Laboratory, University of Karachi has the honor to step ahead of rest of
world in anthropometric measurements
(heights, masses and mid-upper-arm circumferences can be obtained to accuracies
of 0.01 cm, 0.01 kg, 0.01 cm, respectively, at other
places these measurements are obtained to accuracies of 0.1 cm, 0.1 kg,
0.1 cm, respectively). Other distinctions of laboratory are world’s
lightest full-length moiré recording system. Currently, our lab is involved in
developing algorithms for growth-and-obesity profile of child, edge-based moiré
and edge-based raster.
Achievements of research groups are highlighted in Research Synopsis.
As Project
Director of the NGDS Pilot Project, I was able to provide leadership of my team to develop:
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Human-rights and ethical standards
for conducting a research project involving minor subjects and parents with
little or no education |
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b) |
Inexpensive, indigenously-built
anthropometric instruments |
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c) |
Standardized-anthropometric
techniques for obtaining reliable and reproducible measurements (manual
prepared, containing step-by-step procedures as well as sources of error and
hazard/injury) |
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A method to generate a detailed
growth profile of child based on heights of biological father and biological
mother |
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Moiré fringe topography apparatus (a
stereophotogrammetric technique) for somatotyping and screening of trunk deformities,
without using X rays |
As Convener of Subject Committee for Mathematics, National
Testing Service, I was able to formulate, with conscious, policy outline and
guidelines for developing GAT (Graduate Admissions Test) items, which was later
approved by the Academic Committee, of which I was a member by virtue of being
the Vice Chancellor’s Nominee.
As
Convener of National
Curriculum Revision Committee (NCRC) for Mathematics, Higher Education Commission, I was given
the task, in 2004, to prepare framework for BS and MS programs (to be
introduced for the first time on a national level) as well as bring PhD program
in line with equivalent programs in developed countries.
As Acting Convener, Testing Services Committee (TSC),
University of Karachi, presented report on the proposed examination system in
Academic Council, which was approved by the august body. At the time of conduct
of first consolidated test (since the formation of TSC) on January 24, 2010,
took key decisions regarding testing of medical doctors, which avoided major
clash between the administration and the candidates.
As Head of Department of Mathematics and Physics, DHA Degree
College, I supervised a staff of 5, dealt with local suppliers. This assignment
provided me a chance to establish Physics Laboratory from scratch.
4. Honors
During my tenure as Chairman
(2003-6), Department of Mathematics won a grant of Rs 2 million, annually, for
a period of 3 years from National Center of Mathematics. Vice Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of
Sciences, both, visited the department twice within a span of 6 months,
Pro-Vice Chancellor 3 times and Registrar once (to inaugurate the departmental
website). Foreign guests, included professors/scientists from Norway and Sweden
as well as Former Division Chief, United Nations Capital Development Fund from
New York, USA. In the words of Acting Director, the International Center for
Chemical and Biological Sciences, Department of Mathematics was on the
forefront during this period (during the 16th meeting of senate on
December 20, 2006).
The model of MS courses, prepared by NCRC
of Mathematics, was adapted by committees of other subjects.
The NGDS team was asked to train
master anthropometrists of the Tawana Pakistan team (project conducted by the
Aga Khan Foundation). The height-measurement system, developed by the NGDS
team, was adopted by the Tawana Pakistan team.
On October 28, 2008
a team from French Embassy in Islamabad visited our department and discussed
possible projects for collaboration.
5. Goals
I
am trying to work with the current chairman to make Department of Mathematics,
University of Karachi, the best department among all the mathematics
departments in the entire country (presently, our department is ranked number
three, nationally). In addition, plans are underway to establish Institute of
Mathematical Sciences. Quality of the faculty, technical aspect of the facilities,
functionaries of the department as well as the academic freedom to explore, to
teach and to disseminate determine prestige of any department. I am trying to
work on all these fronts, simultaneously.
6. Selected Talks (to develop leadership vision)
Intelligent Power, Conflict Resolution,
Complexity and International Trade
Seminar, Institute of Business Administration, City Campus, Karachi, May 28, 2011
Intelligent Power and Conflict Resolution
Seminar, Department of Political Science,
University of the Punjab, the Quaid-é-Azam Campus, Lahore,
March 31, 2011
Time Management
Professional-Skills-Development
Seminar, Department of
Mathematics, University of Karachi, September 14, 2006
Goal Setting
Professional-Skills-Development
Seminar, Department of
Mathematics, University of Karachi, March 30, 2006
Department of Mathematics, University of
Karachi: Challenges and Opportunities for the Twenty-First Century and the
Third Millennium (Opening Remarks)
Guest Research Seminar,
Department of Mathematics, University of Karachi, August 6, 2005
Third
from right, during Panel Discussion on December 24, 2008
Updated:
July 1, 2011 (0000h GMT)
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˝ Profile ˝ Professional Skills ˝ Research ˝ Pedagogical ˝ Community Outreach ˝ Biodata ˝ Publications ˝ |
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Dr. Syed Arif Kamal