“Nations that ignore changes remain backward in every walk of life,” said Mrs. Mohsina Kidwai, former Union Minister and Member, Rajya Sabha while addressing the 195th birth anniversary of the founder of Aligarh Muslim University, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan on October 17. She said the education today had been fully transformed and change was the destiny of the world. She urged the University to establish separate colleges for providing higher studies in Management, Hospitality and Paramedical sectors. She said the Institute of Nursing in J. N. Medical College should be elevated to the status of a college providing degree courses in nursing studies.
Referring to Sir Syed’s efforts to give a new outlook and understanding in place of traditional and conservative ideas, she exhorted the University community to adopt a rational and scientific thinking that would enable them to bring changes in the society in accordance with the contemporary challenges.
Paying rich tributes to the great social reformer, educationist and statesman, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Mrs. Kidwai said Sir Syed was not only a Muslim benefactor but he was a boon for the whole country and his services in spreading modern education are unforgettable and unparallel. She said Sir Syed showed a new path of educational and intellectual development to the nation. He wanted the education that would provide enlightenment and not merely a degree, she added.
Addressing the grand commemorative function held at the Athletics Ground, the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah said that Sir Syed dedicated all his life for the promotion of secularism, universal brotherhood, critical enquiry and scientific temperament and the Aligarh Muslim University stood as a living embodiment of Sir Syed’s mission.
The Vice Chancellor said that although Urdu was our mother tongue, English was the language of daily life earning. He urged the students to achieve excellence in English to attain best opportunities in their career. He said that the development of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College was his first priority and he was committed to enhance the residential facilities in University hostels by raising the food and hygiene standard.
General Shah said that a number of development initiatives have been taken by his administration and remarkable changes will be witnessed in the University in the next five years. He said the University website has been redesigned.
Earlier, welcoming the guests, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Brigadier Syed Ahmad Ali said the celebration was a tribute to the great soul of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He said the whole Aligarh fraternity should resolve to give their best to make the University, number one university of the country. This will be the real tribute to the founder of the University.
Prof. A.R. Kidwai, Director, UGC Academic Staff College and Prof. Qazi Afzal Husain, Director, Urdu Academy also spoke on the various facets of the personality of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Ms. Saba Parveen of Women’s College represented the students community in expressing opinion about Sir Syed. On this occasion, the chief guest Mrs. Mohsina Kidwai gave away cash prizes and certificates to the winners of All India Essay Writing Competition held on Sir Syed’s vision and the establishment of new centres of AMU.