By Neena Bhandari, IANS
Sydney : A group of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) alumni in Australia, inspired by the vision of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan who founded their alma mater, has vowed to further the cause of primary education in Uttar Pradesh.
As the AMU Alumni of Australia (AMUAA) celebrated the 16th annual Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Day, commemorating his birthday with much fanfare on Nov 10 at Marrickville town hall in suburban Sydney, they decided to do more for poor students of the state in which the university is located.
“Education at the grassroots level is the best way to have a balanced society in the long term and our efforts are targeted towards that objective,” AMUAA president Nadeem Siddiqi told IANS.
The association launched a Primary School Scholarship Project in 2005, sponsoring 50 children in Uttar Pradesh.
“During 2006-2007, we sponsored 100 children and this number will double in the near future as the project has become very popular with Sydneysiders,” Siddiqi said.
For just Australian $40 a year, one can sponsor a primary school child’s education, including books and stationery, for a year. The project is run in coordination with the Faizabad Uplift Society in various towns of Uttar Pradesh.
The association has also been sponsoring 40 scholarships for professional courses each year at AMU.
“Sir Syed’s emphasis on higher education, especially in science, and importance of education of children and women has not lost its relevance even now. It is his vision that drives our association’s mission.
“Students get admission in professional courses on merit, but are unable to sustain their study because of economic challenges. We have come a long way since the scholarship programme first started in 1996 with only four students,” said Siddiqi, who came to Australia on a skilled migration visa with his family in 1995.
The association’s motto is: “Helping to prevent disadvantaged children grow into disadvantaged adults.”
Siddiqi said, “Our alma mater has given us numerous opportunities. It is now time to give back and do our part to fulfil the vision and dream of Sir Syed.”
The AMUAA was set up by five families in 1992, with initiative from the then high commissioner of India Hamid Ansari, an AMU alumnus who is now vice president of the country.
Today the alumni membership has grown to over 50 families and funds raised from the charity dinner are channelled towards the scholarship projects.
Siddiqi, who has a doctorate in material science from AMU and another PhD in metallurgical engineering from the University of New South Wales, fondly remembered his student days.
“At AMU, the emphasis was on theory whereas at UNSW, it was more about ‘hands-on’ experience. Having this great combination of theory and practice has proved very useful in my career.”
As part of the Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Day celebrations, Akhtar Kalam, who was also the keynote speaker, was awarded the association’s third Syed Award for his contribution to education and community work.
Kalam, who completed his BSc degree in electrical engineering from AMU in 1973 and is a professor at the School of Electrical Engineering, Victoria University, emphasised the importance of education in Indian universities.