By TCN News,
New Delhi: Minister of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju visited Jamia Millia Islamia campus on Thursday 5th September, 2013. 5th September is also celebrated as Teachers’ day all over India.
During his visit to Jamia campus, MHRD Minister Dr. Pallam Raju inaugurated two new buildings on Jamia Millia Islamia campus. These are 1) The Srinivasa Ramanujan Block and 2) The New Building of the University Polytechnic.
The Srinivasa Ramanujan Block houses three departments of the university – 1) Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, 2) Department of Bio-Sciences and 3) Department of Bio-Technology, while the existing University Polytechnic is to be housed in its New Building which was also inaugurated by the Minister.
As per programme, MHRD Minister visited the Jamia Millia Islamia campus on 5th September, 2013 at 3 PM, where he first inaugurated the New Building of the University Polytechnic and then went on to inaugurate The Srinivasa Ramanujan Block at 3.15 PM.
Thereafter, HRD Minister Dr. Pallam Raju arrived at 3.30 PM in Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium
The programme started with the recitation from the Holy Quran. Thereafter, Jamia students presented the Jamia Tarana.
Prof. S.M. Sajid, offg. Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia presided over the programme and delivered his welcome remarks. In his welcome remarks he highlighted the important role that Jamia has been playing in providing education to those who come from underprivileged sections of society. Prof Sajid also recounted the achievements of the university and the recent strides made by the university in academics, research, and other co-curricular activities.
This was followed by HRD Minister Dr. Pallam Raju’s address to the university teachers, students and staff. In his address he said “I am especially pleased to be in Jamia today since today we celebrate Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday as teachers’ day across schools and universities, and I take this opportunity to especially felicitate our teachers who don’t just contribute in building academic institutions but also our communities and nation.”
The Programme ended with the National Anthem sung by the students of the university. Thereafter, the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Prof Shahid Ashraf, offg. Registrar, Jamia Millia Islamia. Later the minister interacted with the university community informally afterwards over a cup of tea.
The full text of MHRD speech:
Mr.Vice-Chancellor, Deans of Faculties, Head of the Departments, Teachers, friends from the Media and dear students.
It is a matter of great pride and happiness to be present here at this great and historical institution of higher learning. Born in the crucible of the freedom movement, the Jamia Millia Islamia would soon be completing 100 years of its existence. And as I stand here today, we witness how far this institution has developed in these past decades fulfilling the dreams of its founders to continue to provide modern and secular education amongst its students. It is a matter of great pride to see how the Jamia has responded to the educational needs of India’s minorities, particularly Muslims as indeed to so many underprivileged students. Today you all take pride in your 9 faculties, 40 departments, 22 centres of excellence that are carrying out critical cutting edge research. I take this opportunity to salute Dr.Zakir Husain who under Gandhiji’s influence evolved a concept of “Nai Taleem” that has flowered as we see these magnificent buildings surrounding us.
I am especially pleased to be in Jamia today since today we celebrate Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday as teachers’ day across schools and universities, and I take this opportunity to especially felicitate our teachers who don’t just contribute in building academic institutions but also our communities and nation.
Your excellent Centre for Mass Communication Research has a phenomenal reputation but you have not rested on your laurels and kept up the path to progress that is evident from the most recently established Centre for Nano Science and Nano Technology.
The Vice-Chancellor mentioned that a Professor in the Centre for Theoretical Physics has been cited as reference in the work of the 2011 Nobel prize in Physics. The Centre of Interdisciplinary Research whose new building I have inaugurated today and the Departments of Biosciences and Biotechnology are researching critical areas in many fields. Jamia continues to take pride in its social sciences and I congratulate all of you who have contributed through your hard work that has brought the University to this level.
I am especially happy to have inaugurated this new polytechnic building. The Jamia has one of the oldest Polytechnics in the country that actually started out of a Civil and Rural Institute way back in 1957. My best wishes now go out to all the students that will be housed in this comfortable building.
Your Vice-Chancellor mentioned to me the pressing need for a girls’ polytechnic. It is our government’s mission to empower girl students and enable them to find employment and play a truly constructive role in nation building. I will certainly discuss this matter further with Prof Sajid.
I am also aware of your other pending projects like 100 bedded hospital for Faculty of Dentistry, Research proposal on Public Health and requirements of additional allocations under the 12th plan. The government will certainly look into these proposals speedily.
Mr. Vice-Chancellor I wish you and your colleagues great success in your endeavours and it is my ardent hope that this institution achieves all that you wish for it. May the Almighty shower all your students with his blessings.