By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: In his first ever press conference after he took over as the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia on May 15, Professor Talat Ahmed said that he will work towards setting up a medical college, academic reforms in the University and will promote research with an aim to bring JMI on ‘national map’ and also to strive for global ranking.
Speaking at the Yasser Arafat Hall in the Administrative Block of the University, Prof Ahmed said made a long speech detailing his “Vision and Roadmap for progress.” He said, “I propose to provide cutting-edge learning experience with internationally benchmark education, intellectual freedom and critical opportunities in key areas of contemporary concern.”
Professor Talat Ahmed
Professor Ahmed, who is himself a reputed Geologist, further added that he aims to put Jamia on “national map” in regard to Environment Studies, Earth Sciences, Glacial Studies, Global Positioning System, Geographic Information System and climate change. He said that the University is seriously contemplating to set-up a School of Earth Atmosphere and Planetary Sciences.
His next big target is to set up a medical college, which has long been a ‘dream’ and talks about it had been going on for years now. In recent years, Jamia has already set up state of art center for physiotherapy and a faculty of dentistry. “The medical college in Jamia is a mandatory requirement since there is no government college cum hospital in the neighbourhood,” he said.
Jamia has recently won a case at the Supreme Court by which it has got over 114 bighas of land near the administrative block. The Vice Chancellor suggested that the land can be used for setting up the medical college.
The new VC also said that he will encourage all professors to apply for grants for several research based projects and research is an important part of the university. Research adds to the knowledge and they will keep the teachers updated, he said.
Although Prof Ahmed refused to give any direct answer on the issue of Students’ Union, but he did say that he is in favour of students’ representation and will see that they are represented in some form from this academic year. On the question of holding of election, he said that he has been informed that there were some issues when the election was held last time and the matter is sub judice in the court and hence he will need to take permission from the court before taking any decision.
The last time students’ union election was held in 2005 after many years but after a series of fights the matter reached the case and since then students’ union has been dissolved although at department levels there is some nominal representation of students.
Prof Ahmed has assured some academic reforms too in the coming years and said that “Choice based credit system” will be implemented within two years that will allow students more mobility as they will be able to choose subjects of their interests. He also said that he will use his network in to her Universities in Delhi to for “resource sharing,” and also allow research students to have Co-Supervisor from other Universities.
Since he assumed charge, there have been some high profile administrative changes from appointing new Security Advisor to new Chief proctor and Director of Games. Defending his decision he said that the objective is to give fresh orientation to the process and rejuvenate the system, adding such changes will also allow development of second lien of leadership. He said that teachers should not become whole time administrator but also spend some time in teaching and research.
Himself a reputed academician, Professor Ahmed said that his thrust will be on academic research, besides improving the overall environment in the campus by availing more hostel facilities, improving skill development working towards better placement for students after competition of their courses.
He also said that he will see to it that a separate hostel for girl students of the school is established. Over the years the enrollment of girls from outstations has increased and they are currently accmodated in the UG hostel.
The new session of the University has begun today and he said that he will soon have interactions with students to better understand their need.
He said that the University is applying to National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and for Global ranking with the Time Higher Education.
Prof Ahmed also talked of strengthening MoUs with foreign universities to allow better exchange or students. When TCN pointed that although Jamia has several centers specializing in international studies, there is no provision for students for the field visit. He said that he will definitely see to it that students get opportunities to visit the countries they are working on as quality research is not possible without it. He reiterated that the respective departments and teachers should work in getting more projects that will provide them enough fund to help students as well.
Prof Ahmed said that he is “very serious and wants to see that Jamia becomes one of the top ranking universities in the country and gradually improve its ranking in the world as well.”
Originally from Jharkhand, Prof. Talat Ahmad is an Earth Scientist of international repute. He was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir before he got the top assignment in Jamia Millia Islamia.
Dr. Ahmad who did his Ph.D from JNU and trained himself as a geologist went on to become a professor in the Department of Geology, University of Delhi. He had post-doctoral research stints with three foreign universities viz. University of Cambridge, University of Leicester and Nagoya University.