This searchable database now contains over 1000 names and email addresses of Dow alumni around the world

Welcome to Dow Alumni Database Page

Objective

The purpose of the database was to create a virtual Dow Community on the Internet with no boundaries and to keep the tradition of Dowites to remain active and connected with friends. You can search a Dow colleague by going to the Database search page on your left. There you will have the options to use selection criteria.

History

The Dow Alumni Database was envisioned in 1993 when I was involved in Emory Cardiovascular Database programming. I created the database with just few available names at that time hoping that the people will soon realize the importance of email and a need of electronic "Dow email directory". Many of the US educational institutions did not have that capability at that time. In 1993 when, the now forgotten "Mosaic" web browser, was the commonly used web browser "The Dow Medical College Homepage" was created. Keeping with the Dow tradition it became the first ever homepage related to Pakistani educational institution on the Internet.

Method

The Dow Alumni Database is a relational database and contains the basic information about Dow Alumni around the world. The database and its publication on the Internet is a result of combination of things. The first and the foremost thing is the whole-hearted support of all the Dow alumni around the world who keep on visitng the site and sending the new as well as the regular updates. The core database was first Unix based database. Now it is MS Access with Visual Basic programming. The publication on the Internet and interaction is a combination of MS frontpage, Visual Basic, Visual InterDev on Windows NT server.

Security

The security of the information collected is very important and extra care has been taken to make it a secure activity for the Dow alumni. Only the basic information with email address is published on the Internet. The street address and telephone number is strictly confidential and is not published. The database is backed up periodically and and for data entry it is pass word protected.

Future Directions

With the active response from everyone visiting the Dow hompage I am very optimistic about getting more information about the Dow alumni on the Internet. Please enter as much information as you can about yourself, a friend in dow or a classmate where ever he/she might be. If you have any suggestion or an idea please dont hesitate to send me an email note.

Stay Connected

Rizwan A. Karatela, MD
West Palm Beach, FL