By TCN News,
Aligarh: Promising to preserve and protect the unique character of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the new Students’ Union president resolved that the Common University Act and Common Entrance Test proposed by the Centre shall not be allowed in AMU.
Reacting over the central government’s reported move, Abdullah Azzam, the new president of the Students’ Union, stated that a working group will be constituted by the AMUSU including faculty members to study the proposed Common University Act and its implications for the AMU.
L-R: Prof. Naeem Ahmad, Chief Election Officer, Prof. Rahimullah, Honorary Treasurer, AMU VC Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah, AMUSU President Abdullah Azzam, Hony. Sec. Shahzeb Ahmad and VP Masoodul Hasan.
In his speech at the installation ceremony of the newly elected AMUSU office bearers, he lamented that an effort was on to tarnish the image of the University by a section of media. Referring to the recent controversy over admission of girl students to the main AMU library, Abdullah urged the University to initiate a bus service for girls to commute within the University campus.
He also demanded that a foolproof system be evolved to enable girls of Women’s College to visit the Maulana Azad Library. He urged the Vice Chancellor to take concrete steps for the development of the University and stick to his decisions that are well meant. He assured full cooperation by the AMUSU.
The AMUSU president urged the University administration to appoint professional HR personnel to ensure maximum placement for AMU students, activating the Residential Coaching Academy in a meaningful manner, preparing a database of AMU alumni and providing better residential and dining facilities to the students.
Abdullah Azzam urged the University to file a defamation suit against the English daily responsible for publishing stories aimed at tarnishing the image of the University and put a ban on it in University Campus.
Cabinet Members.
Vice president Masoodul Hasan asked the University to start a bachelor course in Mass Communication and launch the Campus Radio, AMU PRO Dr Rahat Abrar said in a release.
Shahzeb Ahmad, honorary secretary of the Union urged the University administration to provide admission to M Phil students for PhD with no re-test.
AMU vice chancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, who is also the patron of the AMU Students’ Union, reiterated that he, as a guardian of the University students, was very much concerned with their problems and issues and promised a number of development initiatives were taken to improve the conditions in all residential halls and special focus is laid on providing better residential, academic and sports facilities to the girl students of the University.
He said that recently two new buses have been given to Women’s College and construction of a separate Sports Complex for girls is on anvil. A new residential Hall for women is under construction and Women’s College library is being upgraded to make it self-sufficient.
Observing that a new government is in place and that the university would have to initiate a dialogue with the new dispensation so that its genuine interests are preserved and protected, Shah said having a good relationship with the new government to create a positive atmosphere was necessary, the release said.
A scene of dais at AMUSU installation ceremony.
Shah, however, made it clear that in recent meetings with HRD officials, he had strongly conveyed the feelings of the University regarding imposition of the proposed Common University Bill and Common Entrance Test as it would erode the basic structure of the University’s existing ethos. “I will prefer to resign if such an attempt is made to damage the University’s autonomy,” he said.
Shah further said that girl students are pride of this university. He warned the students of diabolic designs and vested interests out to create misunderstanding between them and the University administration and thus disturb the peaceful academic atmosphere in the University campus.
Dr Shariq Aqeel conducted the programme. Chief Election Officer Prof Naeem Ahmad, treasurer of the AMUSU Prof Rahimullah Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor Brig S Ahmad Ali, registrar Dr Asfar Ali Khan and proctor Prof Jamshed Siddiqui were present on the occasion, the release added.