This is part of a limited, annual, series, “14 Days, 14 Stories”, about ordinary Pakistanis who are doing extraordinary things in order to give back to Pakistan.
Sitting in his office, surrounded by a big number of advanced physics equipment and machines, Professor Dr. Ajab Kasi exudes poise and years of experience. Dr. Kasi is the chairperson of Physics department at the University of Balochistan (UOB), Quetta and is also an alumnus of the same institution.
Dr. Kasi, despite his advanced education and experience, has chosen to make his alma mater his place of work because he believes in helping his community
‘I have been contacted by a lot of companies but University of Balochistan is my mother university and I like to teach and stay here,” says Dr. Kasi.
He completed his MSc. from UOB with a gold medal while his PhD. was in Mechatronics. He currently teaches Msc. and Phd. candidates at the the University of Balochistan.
Dr. Kasi tried getting the HEC to help provide equipment so his students can get properly trained in handling scientific equipment but was rejected
“When I came here after my PhD, I realized that the research facilities available here would not be enough for my research so I wrote several letters to HEC and sent in requests for funding for my research and the required machinery. They got back to me saying I was trying to make a junkyard/graveyard of equipment; their responses were generally not very positive.
So I, along with my M.Sc and PhD students, began working towards making our own equipment and machinery without any funding,” shares Dr. Kasi.
Dr. Kasi put his Mechatronics knowledge to use and delved into making machines for his students and their research. Today, his students are capable of making their own equipment.
The worth of most of the equipment that they have made ranges from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 1 crore.
Dr. Kasi firmly believes that there is no dearth of talent in Balochistan, it’s just that the people need some sincere leadership and a sense of direction and well, to be honest, we agree. Dr. Ajab Khan Kasi and his students are the living testimony to the fact that nothing can impede your way if you’ve got the right teacher.
Here’s to resilient teachers like Dr. Kasi in Pakistan, who make us the strong individuals who become future leaders.
For more stories from our series about extraordinary Pakistanis check out “14 Days, 14 Stories“.