The name of the Association shall be BINSA. It shall be a non-political, non-profit, and voluntary organization founded by the National Centre for Bioinformatics (NCB), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad in the Spring Semester 2015.

The aim of the Association is to promote an active academic and social relationship among former and current NCB students, teachers, and the Centre.

The objectives of BINSA are to establish it as an integral part of the QAU structure and to make it a valuable instrument in this important era of academic and professional challenge.

1. Maintain liaison with all former students (Alumni) and teachers, whether serving or retired.
2. Act as a link between industry, NCB QAU, the Centre, and other universities.
3. Honor and recognize the achievements of teachers, alumni, and students.
4. Arrange and organize seminars, conferences, and debates in various fields, particularly in Bioinformatics and Biology.
5. Provide a healthy forum for ideas and discussion on relevant issues that may benefit students’ education, and organize guest speaker sessions for Association members on educational programs and other matters of interest.
6. Provide career counseling for Bioinformatics students regarding jobs, scholarships, the scope of Bioinformatics and related fields, and extend financial support and assistance to deserving students during their education.
7. Arrange and promote co-curricular activities such as informational and recreational trips, departmental sports, parties, functions, and Bioinformatics quizzes.
8. Publish departmental newsletters, magazines, and similar publications, and ensure a high level of social and educational interaction among students, teachers, and the wider community.

The bodies of BINSA shall include the following:

1. Patron-in-Chief: The Vice Chancellor of QAU
2. Patron: The Chairperson of Bioinformatics, QAU
3. Advisor: The Student Affairs In-charge of the Centre, QAU
4. Two Members: The President and the General Secretary of BINSA

1. President: From M.Phil 3rd semester or Ph.D.
2. Vice President: From M.Phil 1st or 2nd semester
3. General Secretary: From M.Phil 2nd semester
4. Joint Secretary: From M.Phil
5. Finance Secretary: From M.Phil
6. Two Coordinators: One from M.Phil and one from Ph.D.

1. The Executive Body
2. Representatives as follows:
   • One Ph.D. Representative
   • Two M.Phil Representatives

The General Body shall consist of all members of the Association.

The members of the Executive Body shall:

1. Be responsible for the planning, management, and organization of BINSA affairs.
2. Hold regular meetings, preferably on a monthly basis.
3. Appoint committees, sub-committees, task forces, discussion groups, or individuals and assign functions to them in order to encourage wider participation and interest of the community in BINSA activities.

The President shall:

1. Guide and supervise the Executive Body in all BINSA matters.
2. Chair all meetings of the Executive Body.
3. Settle issues and disputes at the executive level and cast the deciding vote in case of a tie.
4. Lead all BINSA delegations, except where a member of the Board of Governors is present.

The Vice President shall:

1. Coordinate all activities of the Association.
2. Arrange and conduct all BINSA meetings.
3. Keep complete and correct records of the proceedings and decisions of all BINSA meetings.
4. Keep all documents, records, and registers of BINSA in safe custody.
5. Coordinate with alumni in collaboration with the President.
6. Maintain a record of the members of the Association, including residential, postal, official, and email addresses, in coordination with the Joint Secretary.

The General Secretary shall:

1. Manage the general administration of the Association.
2. Maintain correspondence on behalf of BINSA.
3. Record minutes of meetings and circulate them as required.
4. Maintain official records and documents of the Association.
5. Work jointly with the President and other office bearers in executing the affairs of BINSA.

The Joint Secretary shall:

1. Act as General Secretary in the absence of the General Secretary and perform all duties otherwise assigned to the General Secretary.
2. Facilitate the General Secretary and the Executive Body in all BINSA matters.
3. Collect, update, and provide information to all members in coordination with the General Secretary using convenient communication tools such as email, notice boards, and other means.
4. Take notes during meetings and facilitate the General Secretary in compiling minutes.
5. Assist in maintaining all BINSA records.

The Coordinators shall:

1. Manage and coordinate all co-curricular activities, including trips, sports, get-togethers, farewell events, and related functions in coordination with the President and the General Secretary.

The Finance Secretary shall be responsible for all financial matters of BINSA and shall:

1. Maintain a record of all monetary transactions and assets and submit an annual financial report to the General Body.
2. Jointly maintain, with the President, an account in a scheduled bank in the name of BINSA.
3. Deposit, withdraw, and manage all funds paid to, received by, or spent by BINSA, and issue and receive receipts for the same.
4. Submit a report, balance sheet, or financial statements to the Executive Body whenever directed by the President.
5. Have custody of all securities, books, documents of a financial nature, and accounting records of BINSA.

1. As soon as practicable, a bank account in the name of BINSA shall be opened in a scheduled bank and shall be jointly operated by the Finance Secretary and the President.
2. The finances of BINSA shall include annual fees collected from members and all kinds of donations from alumni or other lawful sources.
3. The income and property of BINSA, however derived, shall be applied solely toward the promotion of its objectives as set out in this Constitution, and no dividend, bonus, or other financial benefit shall be paid to its members.
4. The financial year of the Association shall be from 1st January to 31st December each year.

All accounts shall be audited either by the Audit Office of QAU and/or by any other auditor appointed by the Patron or Patron-in-Chief.

Membership of BINSA shall consist of the following:

Current students and alumni.

Present and retired teachers.

Honorary membership may be offered by the Executive Body or Executive Council to such person or persons as may be rendering meritorious services for BINSA.

Only regular members, as described in Clause 9(a), shall be eligible to vote, provided that their dues have been fully paid.

1. All office bearers of the Association shall be elected each year according to the election schedule.
2. The election schedule shall be announced at least 15 days before the election date.
3. Nominations by members shall be seconded by another member, with the written consent of the nominee.
4. Elections shall be conducted under an Election Commissioner or Advisor of BINSA.
5. Elections shall be held by secret ballot. The ballot shall bear the names of candidates duly nominated for election.
6. A candidate may withdraw his or her name 3 days before the election date.
7. In case there is no nomination for any office of the Executive Body or Council, the President shall call a General Meeting and appoint the officers.
8. The elected members of the Executive Body or Council shall assume office immediately after the election.
9. The term of office of any member of the Executive Body or Council shall be one year, at the conclusion of which the office shall stand vacated and be filled through elections, except as otherwise stated in Clause 14. No person shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

An office shall fall vacant if:

1. The office holder resigns during the elected term and the resignation is accepted by the President, the majority of the Executive Body, and/or the Advisor or Patron of BINSA.
2. A member of the Executive Body is absent from three consecutive meetings without the permission of the President.

Any vacancy in the Executive Body or Council, whether by reason of the operation of Clause 12 or otherwise, may be filled temporarily by a member appointed by the Executive Body or Council until it is permanently filled through election.

Any office bearer or member of the Executive Body or Council may be removed by the Patron or by a majority of members present at a General Meeting.

This Constitution may be amended or altered at any General Meeting of the Association, provided that:

1. Notice of any proposed amendment or alteration has been given in writing to all members at least one week prior to such meeting.
2. The amendment or alteration is approved by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and is ratified by the Patron.

The common seal of the Association shall be in the custody of the General Secretary and shall be affixed to any document only pursuant to a resolution of the Executive Body. The affixation of the seal shall be witnessed by the General Secretary and either the President or the Vice President.

These clauses bind every member and the Association to the same extent as if every member of the Association had signed and sealed these rules and agreed to be bound by all their provisions.