It has been two eventful years since Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis took charge of the office of the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University on June 11, 2007. It was probably not the welcome he expected as certain untoward incidents took place on campus soon upon his arrival. Two innocent students died in a mysterious way followed by arson and looting.
However, the Vice-Chancellor admirably took charge of the situation and academic re-building was undertaken in a big way. Today far reaching changes may be noticed on campus. Teaching, sports, and residential life has never known such a flavour of discipline. Prof. Azis’s achievements have been outstanding considering his so far short stay. An in-depth analysis is indicative of AMU’s resurgence and revival to its times of excellence.
This article centres on academic and developmental aspects of the university. It is not addressing any political controversy or issue because an academic institution should be judged by its cherished field i.e. academics and not by politics.
As soon as he took over charge of the Vice-Chancellorship, some ugly incidents took place and the internal politics of the university registered an upward graph. But Prof. Azis did not lose hope and embarked upon his mission to root out evils and give a new image to the university. He brought about certain changes and took stern action against those who were responsible for the bad image of this great institution. He decided not to leave AMU on the mercy of a few.
The second step, which he took, is to enhance security on the campus. Boundary walls were constructed to make the campus safer. Simultaneously proctorial staff has been motivated to function as required. Today anyone can see well dressed proctorial staff on the intersections and roads. Important crossings have been manned for a smooth flow of traffic.
Keeping in mind that schools are the backbone of the university, the VC tried to improve the academic standard of these schools. Prof. Azis took special interests in filling up vacancies of teaching staff in schools. Competent persons have filled up nearly all the posts of teachers in schools. He has scrapped the system of appointing OSDs in schools. Full time principals have been appointed to run the schools. The university has submitted a proposal of Rs. 108 crore for the development of schools and opening new schools to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). It is hoped that in the near feature Aligarh Muslim University will get the required grant. These schools will be put under a Directorate of Schools and their syllabus will be on the CBSE pattern
Residential life is the hallmark of AMU. It was completely overhauled. A Central Allotment Committee was formed to allot rooms on merit. Waiting list has been completely exhausted. All anti-social and criminal elements have been evicted. Residential halls have been equipped with computers and high speed internet connectivity. Student grievances committee has been set up to solve problems of students.
A very significant and historic step taken by Prof. Azis is to establish five Research and Development/Special Centres across the country in Muslim dominated areas. The proposal has been accepted by the UPA Govt.
These Centres will become treasure houses of knowledge, in the sense that they may gradually blossom into universities and lend a helping hand to the Muslims to achieve parity with the majority community. These Centres will open new opportunities for aspiring students and will provide national character to AMU, which was fast becoming and being labelled as a north Indian University. The University has demanded Rs. 2000 crore for these centres, which will fulfil, by and large, the responsibility bestowed upon the university in the AMU Act, 1981 under section 5(2)(c) to promote cultural and educational advancement of the Muslims of India.
Fortunately the Union government in its new budget has announced a grant of Rs. 25 crore each for the two campuses i.e. Murshidabad in West Bengal and Mallapuram in Kerala. Kerala is the state which has given land to AMU for opening the special centre. West Bengal government has also promised to allot land for AMU campus. Although the amount is meagre yet this shows that the work for the new AMU campuses has begun and Insha Allah within few years the dream of Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis will be a reality.
Prof. Azis has not only concentrated on mere establishment of these centres, but has paid attention to generating a new academic culture within the campus. Keeping in view the importance of classrooms, he has made 75% attendance compulsory. This step has motivated students to regularly attend classes and consult teachers.
Prof. Azis is the only Vice-Chancellor who went beyond the boundary walls of the university. He is pained to note the educational scenario of neighbouring areas. To address long felt need of adjoining areas, he has proposed to open four new schools in Muslim dominated areas. This decision has been welcomed by a large section of the Aligarh citizenry. He has also not left out those who are handicapped by virtue of being blind. AMU has a blind school, which imparts education to them through modern means. Prof. Azis has issued orders to establish computer labs there too so that our blind children may also catch up with this fast changing world. Now the students are using computer lab with a new zeal, which was earlier unknown to this section of the students.
Upgrading of Zakir Hussain College of Engg. & Technology and JN Medical College to the status of IIT and AIIMS respectively is under process. The XIth plan expert committee has already approved a grant of Rs. 16.38 crore for the faculty which will enable it to begin new courses like Disaster Management, Islamic Architecture and Renewable Energy.
In case of Medical College, the Government of India has already approved the up-gradation to the level of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in February 2009 and for that purpose an additional grant of Rs. 150 crore has been sanctioned. A Cardiology Centre is being established in Medical College where facilities of bypass surgery, angiography and angioplasty will be provided on most modern lines.
In the field of sports too AMU fathomed under the able guidance of Prof. Azis. AMU’s Cricket Team defeated Delhi University in the final of North Zone Cricket Tournament. Aman Singh and Prabhat Kumar of AMU Badminton Team have been selected for UP Badminton Team. Md. Arif Intazar was selected captain of North Zone Vizzy Trophy Team, and Suhail Ahmad and Mohd. Hasan, members of mountaineering club successfully climbed on ‘Chandrasheela’ peak of Uttarakhand. Girls of AMU are not far behind the boys. Ms. Suboohi Khan of AMU Women Cricket Team was selected in UP Women’s Cricket Team. One of the notable points is that Sports Authority of India has approved a proposal of AMU for the laying of Astro-Turf for the Hockey Club at an estimated cost of Rs. 3 crore.
AMU is a residential university and our students are our assets. The Vice-Chancellor is emphasising on cleanliness and extracurricular activities in the halls. Most of the ‘Annual Hall Functions’ have been held, a tradition broken. Many of these functions were long overdue and pending. These functions form an integral part of the AMU tradition and provide opportunities of interaction between students and authorities on one hand, as well as bring special guests to the campus to attend these functions and at the same time encourage the creative spirit.
In two years, the university held two massive convocations. First convocation was held on June 18, 2008 wherein former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was present as Chief Guest. This year also, a glittering convocation was held. This was the most memorable convocation so far. Governor of West Bengal Gopal Krishan Gandhi was the Chief Guest. Famous musician and Oscar award winner, A.R. Rehman and Urdu Scholar Prof. Gopichand Narang were conferred upon Hon. Degrees of D. Litt.
For the first time in the history of Aligarh Muslim University another major event ‘World Summit of AMU Alumni’ was held on October 18-19, 2008. It was inaugurated by Vice-President of India, M. Hamid Ansari wherein Governor of Uttar Pradesh T.V. Rajeshwar Rao and Governor of Jharkhand Syed Sibte Razi were Guests of Honour. After much discussion, six resolutions were passed which included establishment of Alumni Foundation, furthering Aligarh Movement and of course spreading the message of Sir Syed. The idea behind this historic meet was to provide a platform for a memorable reunion with thousands of AMU alumni spread all over the globe and to establish a permanent AMU Alumni Foundation as a perpetual facility for the old boys to maintain links with their alma mater, enabling them to participate in its continued growth and glory. The event was attended by alumni from 20 countries and 19 Indian states.
Likewise it was also the first time that Sir Syed International Award was instituted which carried Rs. 5 lakh with citation. This Award was bestowed upon Pakistani national Zakir Ali Khan on October 17, 2008 in a glittering ceremony at Athletics ground in recognition of his works on Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
A more important event was holding of a two-day national seminar on ‘Minority Education in India: Issues, Access and Equity’ by Centre for Promotion of Educational & Cultural Advancement of Muslims of India (CEPECAMI). About 150 delegates representing 80 Muslim NGOs dwelled upon the ways and means to enhance educational status of Muslims. A massive Action Plan was formulated.
In line with the fast changing global scenario of learning and education, AMU has introduced a number of highly advanced and innovative courses in different departments of studies. These courses represent the best in the emerging disciplines and contribute meaningfully to the expanding academic landscape. They are: M. Tech. in Nanotechnology, PG Diploma in Biodiversity Management and Conservation, Certificate in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Science Application in Environmental Studies, Certificate in Wildlife Ecology and Management, Certificate in Biodiversity Management and Conservation, Diploma in Surgical Endoscope Techniques, PG Diploma in Mass Communication (Urdu), Diploma Course in Electronic Media (Urdu), Certificate Course in Electronic Media (Urdu), Masters in Dental Surgery (MDS), M.Sc. in Enzyme and Fermentation Technology, Postgraduate Diploma in Language of Advertising, Media and Market.
Prof. Azis has induced research scholars to perform better in research. One hundred thirty research projects were sanctioned in 2007-08 by various national and international funding agencies. The current enrolment of research students in the university is 1439 (205 students are enrolled for M. Phil and 1234 in Ph.D.). In the current year nearly 300 Ph.Ds have been awarded which is at least 60 per cent increase in comparison to the previous years.
The University has taken a significant initiative to integrate Madrasa education with mainstream higher education programme of the University. An Equivalence Committee under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor is looking after the issue of recognition. It has so far accorded recognition to 45 Madrasas in the country, and granted equivalence to their degrees for purposes of admission to various courses in AMU.
In order to establish international academic and research linkages, the Vice-Chancellor visited the United States and signed Memorandum of Understanding with several leading universities, including Wisconsin University, Cleveland University, Atlanta University, Washington D.C., Boston, John Hopkins and New York Universities, Madison, Georgia State University, Youngstown State University and the University of Massachusetts. During his visit to Boston, he had a very productive meeting with Professor of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and discussed potential areas of assistance and collaboration. He also met the Director of the International Legal Studies programme at Harvard Law School. The director agreed in principle to cooperate with AMU in areas that Prof. Azis specifically targeted.
Prof. Azis’s dynamic personality may be seen clearly when he punctually arrives at functions, meetings and gatherings on campus and when he represents the University outside, flashing his smile and yet only dealing with important matters in the most tactful manner. Turning over a leaf was what the University required academically to move on with the times and Prof. Azis has taken that responsibility upon himself admirably.
Prof. Azis’s arrival came with a number of causes for cheer. Yet, on the lighter side on things, it led to some frustration among certain sections of Aligarians, who were now expected to brush up on their English. Interestingly enough, discussions on campus, even functions are now being conducted in this language while earlier they were not. At the end of the day there ought not to be any grudges on this matter for officially the medium of instruction at Aligarh Muslim University is English and that is what Sir Syed actually wanted it to be in order to function as a counterpart of the west and be the Oxford of the East.
Aligarh Muslim University goes beyond the bare literal meaning of the word ‘institution’. It is a living expression of the aspirations and dreams of a community. It is a source of inspiration and constant symbol of a proud people. Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis has reminded people that Aligarh Muslim University has a glorious past, one which hardly any other institution can even imagine to boast of. It is a pity that its resurgence took so long, yet Aligarh Muslim University is now a flashing point on the educational radar.
It is the need of hour that everyone from community leaders to old boys joins hands with Prof. Azis to transform AMU into the topmost institution of learning. There is not an iota of doubt that if Prof. Azis gets support of the community leaders and alumni, AMU will become a shining example of academic excellence.