By TCN News,
Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Friday said that Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) can play an important role in the government’s ‘Mission Empowerment’ for minorities.
Naqvi, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion of the University’s Foundation Day, also stressed on the need to open more educational institutions, especially those which can provide vocational education, in minority–dominated population clusters.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Prof. Ved Prakash, Prof. Mohammad Miyan and others releasing a book on “A Lexicon of Deccani Terms”, compiled by H.K. Sherwarni Centre for Deccan Studies, MANUU. Prof. Salma Farooqui, Director Centre, Dr. Khwaja M. Shahid, PVC, Prof. S. M. Rahmatullah, Registrar and Prof. Najamul Hasan, Dean, Academic Affairs are also seen
Referring to MANUU’s ITIs and polytechnics, he suggested the University can take a lead in this direction, a release from the MANUU PRO Abid Abdul Wasay said.
Earlier, Chairman UGC Professor Ved Prakash, who was the Guest of Honour, said the MANUU has come a long way in a very short time. “The University should do a four-point self-analysis: First, where does it stand in comparison to other educational institutions around it? Second, what has worked and what has not worked in the last 17 years? Third, in 365 days from hence, where does MANUU see itself? And finally, what should be the guiding principles as the University moves ahead,” he said.
Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammad Miyan underscored the potential of MANUU in empowering the Urdu speaking population.
As per the tradition of the University, the programme started with the recitation of the verses of the Holy Quran, after which Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr Khwaja M Shahid welcomed and introduced the guests. He also highlighted some major achievements of the University since its foundation in 1998.
Professor Syed Najamul Hasan, Dean Academic Affairs, presented a detailed report of the University’s aims and achievements over the years. He said the University currently has 23 departments spread over seven schools of study, which enroll more than 4000 students. The university’s Directorate of Distance Education, which has an all-India network of Regional Centres, Sub-Regional Centres and Study Centres, enrols more than 43000 students in various UG, PG, diploma and certificate courses. He also said the university has so far awarded 289 M Phils and 39 PhDs in various fields. Moreover, it has created substantial infrastructure for sports, which includes a cricket stadium, gymnasium and an indoor stadium.
A view of Audience during the Foundation Day Function
Naqvi and Professor Prakash also released a ‘Lexicon of Deccani Terms’ published by the University’s H K Sherwani Centre of Deccan Studies. The Lexicon is compiled by Professor Salma Ahmed Farooqui, A Subaash and Abdul Majid Maniyar.
The Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed building for Civil Services Examination Coaching Academy while Prof Prakash opened the Computer Sciences and Information Technology Building, the release said.