History
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SABS University
SABS University History
This is the first Art university of Pakistan in public sector and covers the enrollment of students from all over the country. The Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritages, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan has been reconstituted and reorganized from the Centre of Excellence in Arts and Design (CEAD), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro through Act XIV of Sindh 2020 passed by the Sindh Assembly wide and published Gazette dated 15/07/2020. The project was envisioned by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed to have an art and design institution in Sindh on the pattern of National College of Arts, Lahore.
Initially, the institution was established as the Federal College of Art and Design (FCAD) and was handed over to the University of Sindh. Later on, the construction of the College was handed over to the Project Directorate of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology on April 11th, 2000. The defunct FCAD was converted into Centre of Excellence in Art and Design, MUET, Jamshoro by the Federal Ministry of Education G.O.P, in August 2004 as academic affiliation was transferred from Sindh University to Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro. The Federal Minister for Education, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah entrusted Prof. AR Nagori to prepare the project and subsequently the foundation stone was laid on July 15th, 1992, by the Governor Sindh by Mr Mehmood A Haroon. This project was approved by the Government on March 8th 1991.
1990 – Journey from FCAD to CEAD to SABS University
The institution began its journey from the Federal College of Art and Design, later became the Centre of Excellence in Art and Design under MUET, and finally achieved university status as SABS University through Act XIV of Sindh 2020.
1991 – Project Envisioned
The idea of establishing an art and design institution in Sindh was conceived by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
The idea of the institution was conceived by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan and a visionary leader.
March 08, 1991 – Federal College of Art & Design: The History of the Institution
The Government approved the establishment of the Federal College of Art and Design.
On 8 March 1991, the Government gave its approval for the establishment of a new institution dedicated to art and design. The name chosen for this institution was Federal College of Art and Design.
July 15, 1992 – FCAD Foundation Stone
The project was assigned by the Federal Minister for Education, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who recognized the need for a modern and progressive educational institution in Sindh.
The project was prepared by Prof. A.R Nagori, a renowned scholar and artist, who designed the curriculum and the architecture of the institution.
The foundation stone of the institution was laid in July 15, 1992 by the Governor of Sindh, Mr. Mehmood A Haroon, who expressed his hope for the future of the institution and its students.
July 15, 1992 – Mother Institution
The Federal College of Art and Design was initially handed over to Sindh University, which is the Mother University of Pakistan and a pioneer of higher education in the country.
April 11, 2000 – FCAD Construction
College construction was assigned to Mehran University of Engineering and Technology’s Project Directorate
September 10, 2003 –FCAD Principal (Additional Charge)
Prof. Dr. Dost Ali Khowaja
2nd Tenure: October 11, 2004 to October 09, 2005
Director (Additional Charge)
August 2004 –Centre of Excellence in Art and Design Jamshoro
The defunct FCAD was converted into Centre of Excellence in Art and Design, MUET, Jamshoro by the Federal Ministry of Education G.O.P, in August 2004 as academic affiliation was transferred from Sindh University to Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro.
October 10, 2005 –First Regular Director
Prof. Dr. Rafique Ahmed Jhatial
1st Tenure: September 13, 2004 to October 09, 2004
Director (Additional Charge)
January 16, 2013 –Director Regular
Prof. Dr. Bhai Khan Shar
1st Tenure: May 11, 2007 to August 01, 2007 Director (Lien)
2nd Tenure: August 01, 2007 to January 15, 2013 Director (Lien)
March 28-31, 2016 –1st Biennale IWS
The 1st International Watercolor Biennale, Pakistan 2016, titled “Pearls of Peace through Watercolor,” is a prestigious event taking place in the historic Indus Valley, which has been the cradle of ancient civilizations. Hosted in collaboration with IWS-Pakistan, Pakistan Watercolor Society, and Center of Excellence in Art & Design, Mehran University, Jamshoro, this exhibition celebrates the fusion of art, culture, and education in this vibrant region.
June 18th to 20th, 2017- Grand Exhibition
The Ministry of Culture and Government of Sindh, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence in Arts & Design at MUET Jamshoro, took the pioneering initiative to bring together the visual artists of Sindh on a single platform.
February 14-16, 2018 –2nd Biennale IWS
The 2nd International Watercolor Biennale, Pakistan, took place from 14th to 16th February 2018, themed “Pearls of Peace Season-II.” We are delighted and honored to announce this exhibition in the heart of the Indus Valley, a center of one of the oldest civilizations, serving as an educational and cultural hub. This event was jointly organized by IWS-Pakistan, Pakistan Watercolor Society, and the Center of Excellence in Art & Design at Mehran University, Jamshoro.
April 06-08, 2018 –2nd Grand Exhibition
Baad-e-Saba Season-II, a grand exhibition featuring artists from Sindh, was held from April 06-08, 2018, at the Centre of Excellence in Art and Design, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro. The event was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of Sindh.
February 26-28, 2020 –3rd Biennale IWS
The Centre of Excellence in Arts and Design (CEAD), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, holds the distinction of introducing the tradition of art biennales in Pakistan. In 2016, CEAD successfully organized the first-ever watercolor biennale, titled “Pearls of Peace through Water Color.” Despite facing severe financial constraints, we take pride in maintaining this tradition by presenting the works of watercolorists from around the world every two years. The current event marks the third consecutive biennale, with the previous ones held in March 2016 and February 2018, and this one scheduled for February 2020.
July 15, 2020 –SABS University Established
The Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritages, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan has been reconstituted and reorganized from the Centre of Excellence in Arts and Design (CEAD), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro through Act XIV of Sindh 2020 passed by the Sindh Assembly wide and published Gazette dated 15/07/2020.
September 09, 2020 –Vice Chancellor (Acting)
Prof. Dr. Bhai Khan Shar
