By Twocircles.net Staff Reporter
Hyderabad: Renowned economist Dr. Abusaleh Sharif has joined Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad as the Professor Chair, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Chair.
Prof. Sharif was the chief architect of Sachar Committee which presented a detailed report on the socio-economic conditions of Muslims in India.
As part of the follow-up to the recommendations of the Sachchar Committee report, the University Grants Commission established six chairs in name of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Chair. The Chair at MANUU started operating in 2011-12.
“I am thankful for providing an opportunity to be associated with you as Professor Chair, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Chair…,” Prof Sharif said in his letter to Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz, Vice Chancellor.
In a conversation with Twocircles.net, Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, Media Consultant, MANUU said, “The Chair has been established with a view to undertaking research and, if possible publish the same, in the areas in which Maulana Azad had taken an interest. He envisioned India as a leader in the promotion of composite culture. He worked for it all through his life, before independence and thereafter. He also took interest in the promotion of Urdu and Arabic languages. Broadly speaking, India, its history, culture and its future come under the purview of research and documentation of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Chair.”
Khan said that this appointment is unlikely to come in the way of Professor Sharif’s probable selection as the AMU VC. “Those who are considered for such jobs include persons who are still in service of the government or private organisations,” Khan added. Professor Sharif is on the short list of five candidates considered for the vice chancellor position at Aligarh Muslim University.
Prof Abusaleh Sharif, an economist, has held several prestigious positions including member-secretary to Sachchar Committee that was established by the prime minister. Since 2011 he is currently serving as Chief Scholar, US-India Policy Institute, Washington DC. Earlier he has served as the Chief Economist for the National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi. From 1994 to 2008 he was Chief Economist, National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi.