By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Aligarh: Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, M. A. A. Fatmi revealed that the Ministry of Human Resource Development has accepted the proposal of the Aligarh Muslim University, (AMU), to open five centres of AMU in five states of India with a cost of Rs. 2000 crores. The Ministry has now advised the University to prepare a detailed Project Report as required by the Planning Commission.
Fatmi was addressing the symposium on “Role of Alumni to create a new future for AMU:’Vision 2020” at the World Summit of AMU Alumni here. He said that the proposed centres will replicate the AMU model and would be the richest tribute the nation can pay to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan for the outstanding services he has rendered for spreading education among Indians.
He hailed Vice Chancellor of AMU Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis for his visionary concept and taking initiative for creating “AMU Alumni Endowment Fund” for the all round development of the university to make it at par globally with other universities of the world. However, he also advised the Vice Chancellor to do the balancing act and move ahead by taking the coordination of one and all that matter in the university affairs. He cautioned him not to align with any one particular group Fatmi is an alumnus of the Aligarh Muslim University and did his M. Sc. Engineering. He was also Honorary Secretary of the AMU Students’ Union. He was the first alumnus who presented a cheque of Rs. one lakh to his alma mater for the new “AMU Alumni Endowment Fund” of the University.
The Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis delivered keynote address at the symposium. He said that AMU Alumni Summit is a humble initiative to capture the nostalgic memories of a colourful bygone era. The purpose of this Summit is to re-invigorate the bondage of the alumni with their alma mater and enable them to participate in its modernization, expansion, growth and glory.
In his keynote address, Prof. Azis mentioned that AMU will be celebrating centenary of its becoming a University in 2020 and the University has to redefine its goals and create a blue print for its modernization and expansion. The University needs to be repositioned in tune with the technology driven fast changing global transformation that touches all realms of activity. We have to recapture the vibrant spirit of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and march forward in a relentless manner, to be partners in the creation of a new India of our dream, he emphasized.
Nadeem Tarin, a Saudi based engineer, in his presentation said that the knowledge economy will be the main yardstick to measuring success of a nation and wished that the AMU contributes in a big way to make India a highly knowledge efficient nation by producing a knowledge efficient workforce. Assuring all help on behalf of the Old Boys’ Association of Riyadh, he has announced Rs. 10 million to the Endowment Fund.
Further, he urged the AMU old boys to establish at least 200 scholarships by contributing a reasonable funding for Engineering College.
Noted Scientist Dr. Shahid Jameel has proposed to start a Best Teacher Award for each faculty and the awardees should be honored at a University forum.
The World Summit of AMU Alumni was inaugurated on Saturday by Vice President of India, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Governor of Uttar Pradesh T. V. Rajeswar and Governor of Jharkhand Syed Sibtey Razi were the guests of honor.
AMU Alumni from 20 countries and 19 Indian states are attending this two-day historic event and which is truly global.
On this occasion prominent alumni have donated Rs. 2.5 crores to the University corpus. Ameer Ahmad, Group Managing Director of Teejan Group of Companies, Oman, donated Rs. One crore, Er. Nadeem Tarin announced a donation of Rs. one crore on behalf of the AMU Alumni Association, Riyadh. Dr. Athar R. Khan and Yusuf Ali Khan donated Rs. 10 lakh each, Mrs. Arjumand Bano, Mrs. Maryam Khan, Shahnawaz Tarin and Mrs. Shahnawaz Tarin donated Rs. 5 lakh each and Prof. Abad Ahmad, Fazal Khan, USA, donated Rs. One lakh and Syed Zafar Mehmood, Income Tax Commissioner, donated Rs. 10,000 per annum and dedicated 530 sq. yard plot of land to his alma mater. His wife presented the Waqf deed documents of the said piece of land in the name of AMU to the VC Prof. Abdul Azis on the occasion. The Imam of Jama Masjid of Kerala donated Rs. 10,000 per annum.
Prof. Mohammad Saleemuddin, Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee of World Summit of AMU Alumni, has proposed the Aligarh Muslim University Endowment Fund to receive donations from its alumni, individuals, philanthropic organizations and well wishers of the University.
He said this fund will be utilized for various academic research and development project including computing facility in Halls of residence and Departments of Studies. This fund would also provide international travel to students and teachers for joining short term training/orientation programmes in universities of repute and creation of new centres and laboratories for research.
Dr. Masood Akhtar of Wisconsin University, Madison (USA) suggested that AMU should contact the Centre of International repute and sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the prestigious universities across the globe.
Noted historian Prof. Irfan Habib said that the University should provide equal facilities to girl students. He said that female enrolment in this University is increasing every year and now University has 40 percent female students at its rolls. ([email protected])