Two University of Cincinnati colleges benefit from $4 million gift
Alumni couple began distinguished careers in Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati alumni Mohammad H. Qayoumi, MS ’79, MS ’80, MBA ’84, PhD ’83 and Najia Karim, BS ’82, MEd ’83, RD, have made a $4 million gift supporting two of the university’s colleges. A donation from the couple establishes a fund and an endowed chair at the College of Engineering and Applied Science, as well as an endowed chair at the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Qayoumi and Karim, who got married during their school years at UC, said they have chosen to support their colleges because they want to give back to the university that launched their careers. Qayoumi, known as “Dr. Mo,” spent seven years as a university employee in various capacities, including adjunct faculty, staff engineer, director of technical services, and director of utilities and engineering services. Karim worked as a part-time consulting dietitian at UC Medical Center Lipid Research Clinic. The couple looks back fondly on their time in Cincinnati, where they purchased their first home.
“We hold enduringly positive memories of our time in Cincinnati, particularly regarding the exceptional education we received at the University of Cincinnati,” said the couple. “The formative academic experiences and rigorous training we received at UC laid the foundation for our subsequent professional achievements, for which we remain deeply grateful.”
Endowed chairs and research labs create opportunities
The Najia Karim, MEd, RD Endowed Chair in Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics supports the College of Allied Health Sciences. The Dr. Mohammad H. Qayoumi Endowed Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering is the first endowed chair in the department of electrical and computer engineering. Endowed chairs help retain and recruit prominent faculty, providing permanent funding to support student, faculty, research or programmatic initiatives.
Mohammad and Najia are devoted and generous members of the Bearcat family.
Neville G. Pinto UC President
The Dr. Mohammad H. Qayoumi Electronics Teaching Lab Endowed Fund will support the operations and maintenance of a new electronics lab in the newly renovated Old Chemistry building on UC’s Uptown Campus. The building has new labs in chemistry, engineering and anatomy and physiology among other features and its renovation coincides with the Chemistry Department’s 150th anniversary.
“Mohammad and Najia are devoted and generous members of the Bearcat family,” said UC President Neville G. Pinto. “It has been my pleasure to witness Mohammad’s career trajectory, beginning as an adjunct faculty in engineering to a global leader. Najia’s lifelong passion as a nutritional health educator, poet and author deepens their shared legacy of service. Together, their extraordinary gift will enhance the student experience at UC and reflects their enduring commitment to expanding the boundaries of knowledge.”
About Mohammad H. Qayoumi and Najia Karim
Mohammad H. Qayoumi, MS ’79, MS ’80, MBA ’84, PhD ’83 and Najia Karim, BS ’82, MEd ’83, RD. Photo/ Joseph Fuqua II.
Both Qayoumi and Karim have had illustrious careers. Qayoumi is originally from Afghanistan and is the first Afghan-American to head a major U.S. university. He was a university administrator for more than 30 years, serving as the president of San José State University and California State University, East Bay. Qayoumi has published nine books and about 200 articles on Engineering and business topics, and has served as a speaker in many technical conferences in the US, as well as in a dozen other countries. He was inducted into the Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of Fame in 2015. He is also the former minister of finance and chief adviser on infrastructure and technology to the President of Afghanistan.
Karim is a clinical dietitian and nutritional health educator for San Leandro Hospital. She is a poet and author, publishing her work in Farsi language journals as well as 11 Farsi poetry books. She is the founder of the Cultural Society of Afghan Women.
“It is with deep honor that we acknowledge our status as alumni of the University of Cincinnati,” said Qayoumi and Karim. “We remain profoundly grateful for the opportunities the university afforded us, which have been instrumental in shaping and advancing our professional careers. It is our sincere hope that this gift will have a meaningful impact on future students who aspire to pursue distinguished careers in the field of engineering and nutrition. We wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the UC faculty, students, and staff for their unwavering commitment and exemplary dedication, which collectively contribute to making UC an institution of true distinction.”
Supporting their colleges
Qayoumi was instrumental in shaping the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering during his years as a UC instructor. It is currently one of the largest departments in the college.
“I’m deeply grateful that 'Dr. Mo' has chosen to honor his legacy at UC through philanthropy,” said John “Marty” Emmert, PhD, interim dean for the College of Engineering and Applied Science. “It is an exciting time at the college as our research spaces are updated, and Dr. Mo and Najia are helping to make this possible.”
Research is also integral to the Nutrition and Dietetics program at the College of Allied Health Sciences, and its new endowed chair supports that work.
“Najia’s accomplishments are a wonderful example for our students, as is her and Dr. Qayoumi’s generosity to their alma mater,” said Charity Accurso, dean, College of Allied Health Sciences. “As our enrollment grows, our focus on student success is stronger than ever. This funding empowers faculty to advance teaching, research and innovation while expanding opportunities for student research. Endowments truly multiply our impact.”
Featured image at top: Najia Karim and Mohammad H. Qayoumi. Photo/Joe Fuqua III for the UC Foundation.
This is how breakthroughs happen
Your generosity has illuminated what’s next: Student success beyond the classroom. Bearcats winning on the Big 12 stage. The gift of discovery for the health of our community. When you give to the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, you invest in the problem-solvers of tomorrow.
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