Prominent Educator Dr Sala Qazi, Professor Emeritus, SUNY Poly — Passes Away
By Dr A. Khan
Chicago, IL
Professor Dr Sala Qazi passed away on February 24, 2024, in Hollywood, MD. His funeral prayer (Namaz-e-Janaza) was held on Sunday, February 25, at Makkah Learning Center, Gambrills, MD, and he was buried at Glen Haven Memorial, Glen Burnie, MD.
Dr Sala (Salahuddin) Qazi was a Professor Emeritus at SUNY Poly. During his thirty-year tenure at SUNY Poly, he was chairman of the EET department, coordinator of the BS program in photonics, and Director of the MS program in advanced technology, which he helped to develop. Dr Qazi authored numerous articles in the area of fiber doped amplifiers, wireless security, MEMS and photovoltaic energy. He also co-authored two books in the area of “Nanotechnology for Telecommunications” and “Solar Energy Systems and Technologies.” After retiring, he authored a book on “Standalone Photovoltaic (PV) Systems for Disaster Relief and Remote Areas.”
He was the recipient of several awards, including the William Goodell award for research creativity at SUNY Poly; he was recognized by the Mohawk Valley Engineering Executive Committee for engineering professionalism; and he forged closer relations with the IEEE Mohawk Valley section.
Dr Qazi received his education from Punjab University, Pakistan, Wales University, and University of Technology, Loughborough, United Kingdom. His ancestors established a chain of Islamia Schools in the early 1900s during the British rule in the Indian subcontinent which ended in August 1947. Majority of these schools have been converted to institutions of higher education in Pakistan.
Dr Qazi remained active in numerous academic and philanthropic efforts. Recently, he made a joint presentation on “Online Simulation and Remote Access Visualization Tools for Engineering and Technology Curricula” at the 20th International IEEE—HONET 2023 conference on “Smart Communities: Improving Quality of Life using ICT, IoT,” and also helped donate thousands of books to a number of libraries around the globe. In 2022, he collaborated with Books for International Goodwill (BIG), MD, for donating 15,000 books to NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi. Dr Qazi was a life member of IEEE and ASEE.
Dr Sala Qazi and his wife Dr Naseem Qazi established a scholarship at SUNY Poly to support students enrolled in STEM programs. Dr Salauddin Qazi is survived by his wife Professor Dr Naseem Qazi, son Dr Farhan A, Qazi, a computer scientist, and two grandchildren.
Qazi Sahib was a kind and compassionate person who wanted the betterment of the entire of humanity. Whenever natural disasters took place around the world, Qazi Sahib took practical steps to help the victims through various charity organizations.
May Allah (SWT) bless his soul and assign him the highest station in Janet ul Firdous. Ameen.
May Allah (SWT) give sabar and solace to his family members so that they can bear his loss. Ameen.
