By Jasim Mohammad
Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis appointed a high power committee in 2007 to “explore the potential of raising the International Status of the AMU in the field of teaching and research.” The committee has now presented the report entitled “Potential of Raising the International Status of the AMU in the field of Teaching and Research.”
There is an urgent need for implementing the recommendations of the report prepared by the committee comprising Prof. Azarmi Dukht Safavi, Prof. Syed Abrar Hasan and Prof. M. Saleemuddin.
The report in the very beginning says: AMU has the additional responsibility to address the educational and cultural development of Muslims historically and as provided in the AMU Act XL of 1920 as amended by AMU (Amendment) Act, 1981 (62 of 1981) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
also wrote: “It is the categorical verdict of all the nations and great seers of the world that national progress depends on education and training. Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh also called for a revolution in education.
The report has dealt with,”research scholars” in details. It recommends that those (research scholars) who qualify the NET/JRF may be exempted from appearing in the entrance test for admission to the Ph. D programme in AMU. Again it recommends that, “Recipients of JRFs
may be provided privileged accommodation like single rooms/married accommodation and also given limited teaching responsibility.” It is very important to implement these recommendations as they will ensure quality improvement in research.
The report also stresses that “the University must encourage faculty members to undertake high quality research work and publish the same in journals of international repute. Departmental committees need to be constituted to ascertain the journal quality. The writer hopes that
all these recommendations will be seriously implemented so that teachers begin writing and publishing.
Under a very important heading, “Academic dishonesty and plagiarism”, the report says that “in some departments there are deliberate attempts made by some individuals to interfere with and discourage academic endeavors of hardworking and sincere faculty members. Many serious workers feel helpless and frustrated because of such attitude of their seniors/other colleagues.” This is true but harsh comment on the attitude of academic community. Another very important aspect pointed out by the report is: “increasing reports suggests that according to university conduct, [they] engage themselves in profit making activities including private medical practice, teaching in coaching centre etc. Such activities reportedly also undertaken even during the
office hours are/or use the university infrastructure and facilities.” This is a very serious matter brought out by the report. University authorities should use all powers at their command to stop such illegal activities. First and foremost necessity is to identify such faculty members. I am at loss to understand why the report asked only to, “contain” these activities and not to stop them.
The report also recommends for campus-wide networking, modernization and automation of library, construction of a convention centre, international hostel facilities, hostel accommodation for married students and international faculty house. These are some of the important elements for raising the status of AMU from national to international status.
Members of the committee have pointed out in the very beginning that “Attainment of academic excellence in a university is an uphill task and necessitates a concerted and consistent effort by the faculty, administration and students.” No doubt that it is an uphill task but the present Vice Chancellor Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis is moving in the direction of achieving that “uphill” task. It is very important to note that the present Vice- Chancellor took over charge on June 11, 2007 and appointed such a high level committee for such a holy purpose on June 23, 2007 just after twelve days. This fact has not been lauded by common students or teachers but it shows not only willingness but commitment of the Vice- Chancellor to improve the things on the campus
and realize the dreams of the founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
Though the report has honestly and sincerely made recommendations to turn the AMU into an international institution but the purpose of appointing such a committee will be complete only when its recommendations are implemented. I recall that former Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mehmoodur Rehman had also appointed a high level commission called “Mathew Commission” to unearth corruption in the university. But its report has not been implemented so far and the
report is gathering dust. I hope that the report under discussion will not get that treatment and will be implemented.
Secondly, it is very important that the elements that are blocking the road of AMU’s journey to excellence are identified. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had dreamed for a world class institution and present Vice Chancellor is striving to achieve the same. There is only one need that all
should cooperate with him.
(The author is President of Central Universities’ Research Scholars Association (CURSA) and
Research Scholar at the Centre for Comparative Study of India Languages & Culture, AMU. He can be contacted on [email protected], Cell no. 0-99970 63595)