Dow Medical College Karachi was established on 10th of December 1945. This is the first Dow Medical College Student’s Union; It started a tradition that lasted almost 35 years when Dow always had a Students’ Union representing the interests of the students to the Administration, Civil Hospital, University of Bombay initially and later University of Karachi and to the Provisional and Federal Government. The Union was elected democratically. It also got involved in National politics when it invited political leaders to address the students. It organized student social and literary functions and graduation ceremonies every year giving awards to the students graduating with distinctions. It fought for establishing amenities like library and cafeterias in the college. It intervened aggressively when there were allegations of sexual harassment against the teachers. It dealt with University when students felt that they were not prepared for the exams or when they had staged a walk out for unfair questions in the exam. They arranged books for deserving students, arranged buses for transportation of students from outlying areas. All this changed when the political atmosphere changed in the country in early 1980’s and the Federal Government felt it could no longer risk grass root movements from politically conscious students. Our class of 1977 was lucky to have witnessed every one of these activities of the DMCSU in the 1970’s throughout our stay. Note the composition of the Union before Partition. There are only 2 Muslim names. Also note that sports committees dominate and ladies are represented.
Amin H. Karim MD, April 15 2018
