Alumni give $4 million to University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering and Applied Science and College of Allied Health Sciences

The University of Cincinnati has received a gift of $4 million from alumni Mohammad H. Qayoumi and Najia Karim. The couple, who married during their time at the university, have had successful careers that began in Cincinnati and wished to give back to the place where it all began. Their gifts will support the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the College of Allied Health Sciences.

According to an article on the University of Cincinnati’s website, Neville G. Pinto, the university’s president, was quoted as saying of the gift from the couple, “Mohammad and Najia are devoted and generous members of the Bearcat family. 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.”

In the College of Engineering and Applied Science, their gift will establish the Dr. Mohammad H. Qayoumi Endowed Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering, which is the first endowed chair position in the department of electrical and computer engineering. Qayoumi was instrumental in the shaping of the department during his university tenure. In addition to the endowed chair position, the Dr. Mohammad H. Qayoumi Electronics Teaching Lab Endowed Fund will also be established in order to provide support for the maintenance of a new electronics lab located on the Uptown Campus.

John “Marty” Emmert, PhD, who is the interim dean for the College of Engineering and Applied Science, said, “I’m deeply grateful that 'Dr. Mo' has chosen to honor his legacy at UC through philanthropy. 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.”

In the College of Allied Health Sciences, the couple’s gift will establish the Najia Karim, MEd, RD Endowed Chair in Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics. Endowed chair positions like this one provide permanent funding to attract and retain faculty members as well as support faculty and student research. 

Charity Accurso, who serves as the dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences, said, “Najia’s accomplishments are a wonderful example for our students, as is her and Dr. Qayoumi’s generosity to their alma mater. 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.”

Speaking of their desire to give back to the University of Cincinnati as accomplished alumni, the couple said, “It is with deep honor that we acknowledge our status as alumni of the University of Cincinnati. 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.”

Qayoumi worked at the University of Cincinnati for seven years in various positions, including as adjunct faculty, staff engineer, director of technical services, and director of utilities and engineering services. He spent 30 years as a university administrator as the president of San José State University and of California State University, East Bay. He is the first Afghan-American to head a major university in the United States. He was inducted into the Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of Fame in 2015 and has published nine books and hundreds of academic articles. He also formerly served the President of Afghanistan as the minister of finance and chief adviser on infrastructure and technology.

Karim began her career as a consulting dietitian at UC Medical Center Lipid Research Clinic. She currently works as a clinical dietitian and nutritional health educator for San Leandro Hospital. Additionally, she is a poet and writes in the Farsi language. She also founded the Cultural Society of Afghan Women.

Speaking of the experience in Cincinnati, the couple said, “We hold enduringly positive memories of our time in Cincinnati, particularly regarding the exceptional education we received at the University of Cincinnati. 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.”

For more information about the University of Cincinnati, visit the school’s website.