ISLAMABAD: Death of Arfa Karim Randhawa, the world's youngest Microsoft Professional (MCP) at an early age was a tragedy for the whole nation and her extraordinary contribution in the field of IT will be a role model for the younger generation.
This was expressed by renowned scientist and Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), President Professor Dr Atta ur Rahman in an interview with APP.
"I personally know Arfa Karim as she visited me with her father when I was Chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Arfa wanted to take guidance about opting a suitable field when she was student of A levels", Atta recalled.
Arfa wished to see me again but she met the unfortunate tragic death. Arfa, through her last e-mail on December 4, expressed that she wanted to opt such field at university level in which she could explore and discover things to satisfy her inquisitive nature, Atta said.
Arfa Karim was an extraordinary bright girl and was curious to explore the things but "we lost her at very early age", he said. In countries like Pakistan, such bright students are not given more opportunity to grow and excel.
"We are destroying the capabilities of such intelligent students, depriving them from getting quality education and career opportunities", he regretted.
He said India is providing special facilities to its outstanding students and has set up special schools for bright students in each district. Such facilities should also be extended in Pakistan to polish the talents of blessed youth.
Acknowledging the contribution of Arfa, Central President Pakistan Computer Association (PCA), Munawar Iqbal said the demise of Arfa Karim, young Pakistani computer genius was a great national loss.
Being world's youngest Microsoft Certified Professional at the age of nine, Arfa Karim has become pride of the nation. Arfa wanted to use her skills to help the young, those under-served by IT and those from remote areas of Pakistan.
He said that the industry will remember Arfa Karim as well as her mission, adding he said, Arfa has become an iconic figure for Pakistani Youth and the government must take steps in line with the mission of Arfa Karim, especially in providing facilities to poor students of computer and IT in the country.
To recognize Arfa's services at national level, the government has issued commemorative postage stamp in her name and was considering a highest civil award for her.
Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has also named the under construction Federal College for Women I-14 after the IT genius.
Arfa has earned the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of science and technology and the Salam Pakistan Youth Award in 2005 for her achievements. Arfa is also the youngest recipient of the President's Award for Pride of Performance.
Arfa also earned her first flight certificate by flying a plane at a flying club in Dubai at the age of 10, and was invited by Microsoft in 2006 to be a keynote speaker at the Tech-Ed Developers Conference, where she was the only Pakistani among over 5,000 developers.
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