IISJ alumni told to become trendsetters in society

Members of the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) Alumni Association held an impressive first reunion on Thursday. Demonstrating their skills and upholding the school’s image, the alumni pledged their support to help improve the school’s standard. The alumni, which includes a number of young executives, honored Principal Syed Masood Ahmed by giving him the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2011 in appreciation for his 27 years of dedicated services to the school. Calling Principal Ahmed as “a fatherly figure who had changed the lives of many,” the association said. In his speech after receiving the award, Ahmed urged the alumni members to uphold their eternal values and become trendsetters in society. “You should also have a clear vision and direction while living in this modern world,” the principal said and praised his students for their tremendous achievements. Chief guest Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai commended the IISJ Alumni for honoring their teachers while setting a good example to similar organizations. Stressing the association’s importance, he said it would help old students to strengthen their bonds with their alma mater and batch mates. Dr. M.S. Karimuddin, a member of the Higher Board that oversees international Indian schools in the Kingdom, was also honored during the event considering his contributions to the community and taking the initiative to set up the alumni association. Awards were also given to outstanding Class XI students who scored top marks in science, commerce and humanities during the last CBSE exams. Earlier in his welcome address, Alumni President Mohammed Hyder urged his colleagues to become IISJ’s ambassadors. “This is a historic moment,” said Hyder, a Mobily executive. He noted IISJ teachers’ contributions to make students’ lives better. Hyder’s speech was interrupted by “backbenchers,” whose heckling showed what they did in their school days. A senior teacher, however, expressed his disappointment and said: “They should not have behaved like this at their own function. It gives a bad impression about them.” The reunion themed “Back-to-School” included a marvelous presentation, expressing the alumni’s love and gratitude toward the old and present teachers. Haseeb’s Hindi song “kya huwa tera wada” set off the entertainment program. Fatima Afsar, joint secretary, announced the alumni’s plan to hold an event exclusively for ladies on Dec. 16. Syed Aziz and Dr. Khalil Muhammad anchored the event. IISJ, which has more than 11,700 students on its rolls, is one of the largest Indian schools abroad. According to the principal, thousands of students have graduated from IISJ since it was established in 1969.