NED 2026 CT International Alumni Convention Brings NED Community Together in Stamford
Three-day convention featured a grand gala banquet, distinguished speakers, live performances, academic initiatives and expanded arrangements for alumni and guests
Report : By Manzoor Hussain
STAMFORD, Connecticut: The 20th International Alumni Convention, NED 2026 CT, was held from October 2 to 4, 2026, in Stamford, Connecticut, bringing together NED alumni, community members and distinguished guests for a three-day celebration of shared academic heritage, professional achievements, networking and community connections.
Organized by NEDIAN-NA and NEDA-NE, the convention was held under the theme “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders” and featured a range of activities designed to strengthen relationships among NED graduates and celebrate the institution’s continuing legacy in North America.
A major highlight of the convention was the Gala Banquet, which was held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1 First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut. The evening brought together prominent alumni, community leaders and distinguished guests for a formal program celebrating the achievements and contributions of the NED community.
Abul Islam, Civil 1981, President/CEO of AI Engineers, Inc. and President of NEDA-NE, participated as the Featured Speaker. Jabran Niaz, CEO of Utopia Brands Inc. and Co-founder of Utopia Industries Pvt. Ltd., served as the Keynote Speaker.
The banquet also featured Dr. Muhammad Tufail, Mechanical 1991, FIMechE, FIEP, Member ASMEC and Vice Chancellor of NED University, as the Special Guest. Dr. Asma Ali, Civil 1994 and Chairperson of NEDIAN-NA, and Aslam Siddiqui, Civil 1984, Chairman of the Convention Steering Committee and Vice President of NEDA-NE, also played prominent roles in the convention proceedings.
The evening included live entertainment by renowned Pakistani singer Ali Zafar, adding a festive dimension to the gala celebrations. Zafar, who had been honored with Pakistan’s prestigious Pride of Performance award, performed for the attendees as part of the special entertainment program.
The convention also featured a live performance by Fizza Javed, further adding to the entertainment and celebratory atmosphere of the three-day gathering. Alumni and guests were provided opportunities to reconnect with former classmates and colleagues while developing new personal and professional connections.
The strong response to the convention also resulted in significant demand for hotel accommodation. Rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites were fully booked, prompting organizers to arrange additional accommodation through a partnership with The Stamford Hotel, located at 700 E Main Street, Stamford, CT 06901.
Rooms at The Stamford Hotel were offered on a first-come, first-book basis, while a free shuttle service was made available between the participating hotels and the convention venue. The additional arrangements helped accommodate guests attending the international alumni gathering.
Academic and Community Initiatives
The convention was accompanied by several initiatives aimed at engaging the wider NED community beyond the social and networking activities.
One of the notable academic initiatives was the First Annual Mubashir Aslam Quidwai Memorial Essay Competition, which was announced by the NED International Alumni Network of North America in honor of Mubashir Aslam Quidwai, who served as President of the NED Students Union from 1974 to 1975.
The competition was co-hosted by NEDIAN-NA and NEDA-NE and focused on encouraging currently enrolled NED University students to address contemporary challenges involving technology, artificial intelligence, engineering and Pakistan’s development.
Students were invited to submit essays on either “AI Driven Innovation: Opportunities and Challenges for Developing Countries” or “The Role of Engineering Technologies in Solving Pakistan’s Challenges.”
The competition offered a first prize of Rs. 100,000 and a second prize of Rs. 50,000. Participants were required to submit original and unpublished essays of no more than 1,000 words, excluding references, while properly citing sources and avoiding plagiarism. Each participant was permitted to submit only one essay.
The organizers stated that the Publication Committee had the final authority to decide the winner, while winning essays were to be featured in the NED Convention Souvenir. The submission deadline had been set for August 31, 2026, with entries accepted through the designated competition email.
Overall, the NED 2026 CT International Alumni Convention served as a major gathering for the NED community in North America, combining professional networking, alumni engagement, academic initiatives and cultural entertainment. The three-day event provided alumni and guests with an opportunity to celebrate their shared NED identity while strengthening connections across generations and communities.
