An Insight with Mr. Danish Peerzada!

Interview by Syed Muneeb

A diverse country, with a chain of cultures and history, languages and art forms the 7^th largest community of engineers and scientists. However, the absence of quality is a dilemma. With a lot of institutes offering engineering degrees to every brain out there, NUST shines like Sirius.

An amalgam of youth belonging to different academic systems, competing against each other on level terms now. One really has to carve out his way through the university life, through mind and labor. One of my teachers enlightened us once, and I quote ‘Smart Work and Hard Work combine to give you a great GPA’. Yes, that is the objective of your 4 years, your dad did say that to you ‘I want a 4.0 my son.’

University is not about grades and sole academics, it is much more than we have been told about! You shape your life now and it will look the same for a long time. Why not get expert advice in the start to help you cruise through the next four years. Einstein was right after all when he said, ‘the only source of knowledge is experience’.

Mr. Peerzada Danish is a NUST alumni and a Director at one of the leading societies in NUST. I thank him for dedicating some time to answer some straight and vital questions.

1. Good academic record implies good GPA and vice versa; right connotation?

Ans. No, perceptions are not realities all the time. Students are on the same field once they get into the same Institute. They have passed the same NET, F.Sc or A/O-levels is now your past.

2. University is the topmost step of the academic ladder, how is it different from college?

Ans. At NUST, exposure to a diverse group of people teaches you a lot. Socially active behavior along with participation in all sorts of events refines your skillset. College is mostly academic.

3. Social circle does assist you in your life doesn’t it?

Ans. Yes, it does. A good social circle grooms a multi-engineer out of you.

4. Assuming you get a D, what would be the most appropriate response?

Ans. A D does not mean you simply die of dejection unlike when you get an A in Mechanics, but you simply don’t want that on your CV, it might hurt you later. You don’t want to be up the creek without a paddle.

5. You’ve been a director at NSS, how was the experience?

Ans. It certainly was an amazing experience. I learned how to write sponsorship proposals when you have 2 OHTs the next morning. My life without NSS would have been is colorless.

6. Job market is not that stable in Pakistan, yet NUSTians do catch the eyes of some mainstream enterprises right?

Ans. Not everybody is getting a dream job after stepping out of the University, you have to be patient. As a NUSTian however, you surely would get a good job sooner or later. Patience and exertion is the key.

7. Tidbits?

Ans. Never worry about grade, gear yourself up for a goal; take notes; only true focus can make you a theeta. You’ll get lots of opportunities; so when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

8. Reminiscing the past, your favorite moment and worst regret?

Ans. Performing at 2k11 Welcome Party was special and missing NIMUN was worst.

So that was quite informative and persuasive I hope. All of the freshmen out there, you have to work hard and remember that every cloud has a silver lining and you do get back to the drawing board once you fail. Never miss a boat when you get a chance and you’ll be proud someday.

Zig Ziglar once said, ‘You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win and expect to win.’