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Aligarh Muslim University

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Aligarh Muslim University
Motto(Arabic)علم الانسان ما لم يعلم 'Allama al-insān mā lam y'alam
Motto in English
Taught man what he did not know (Qur'an 96:5)
TypePublic
Established1875
Endowment$11 Billion
ChancellorJustice (Retd.) A. M. Ahmadi
Vice-ChancellorProf. Qazi Afzal Husain
Academic staff
2,000
Students30,000
Address
E-MAIL ID
,
Aligarh
,
Uttar Pradesh
,
India
CampusAligarh
AcronymAMU
Colors     
AffiliationsUGC
Websitewww.amu.ac.in
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
Victoria gate, a prominent building at the university
Maulana Azad Library (viewed from Kennedy Lawns)
Kennedy House, museum (left); auditorium (right)
Bab-e-syed, the gateway to AMU
University canteen
SS Masjid beside Strachey Hall, AMU Aligarh

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) (अलीगढ़ मुस्लिम विश्वविद्यालय,علی گڑھ مسلم یونیورسٹی) is a residential academic Central University in India founded in 1875 by social reformer, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He realised the acute need among Indian Muslims for modern education and, to achieve his goal, started a school named Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College) in 1875. It was designed to train Muslims for government service in India and prepare them for advanced training in British universities. The school later became the Mohammedan Anglo-oriental College and finally Aligarh Muslim University in 1920 .[1] It is one of the first institutions established during the British Raj.

The establishment of MAO College in 1875 marks a key event in the educational and social history of Muslims of Subcontinent. Its establishment is considered as the first significant response of the Indian Muslims to the challenges of post Indian Mutiny of 1857 era. It became the principal Muslim Institution in India. In the early 20th century, this institution exploded into political activity. Prior to 1939, faculty and students supported an all-India nationalist movement. After 1939, political sentiment shifted toward support for a Muslim separatist movement. Students and faculty mobilised behind Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League hence became an epicentre of Pakistan Movement.[2][3]

Spread over 467.6 hectares in the city of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Aligarh Muslim University offers more than 300 courses in the traditional and modern branches of education. It draws students from all corners of the world, especially Africa, West Asia and Southeast Asia. In some courses, places are reserved for students from SAARC and Commonwealth countries. The university is open to all irrespective of caste, creed, religion or gender. It ranks 8th among the top 20 research universities in India. Alumna of the university are popularly known as Aligarians. (The more generic Aligarhiya is used to refer to inhabitants of Aligarh who have not studied at AMU.)[4] With more than 30000, students, about 1400 teachers and some 6000 non-teaching staff on its rolls, it has 12 faculties comprising a wide spectrum of academic disciplines (95 departments, 5 institution and 13 centres) and 18 halls of residence with 73 hostels. The University offers 325 courses. The university has the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Dr. Ziauddin Dental College, Institute of Ophthalmology and Food Craft Institute, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Centre of Advance Study in History, Centre of West Asian Studies, Centre of Wildlife, Academic Staff College, Women's College, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, University Polytechnic for boys and girls, separately and Computer Centre. The languages taught here include English, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Kashmiri, French, Turkish, German and Russian. The medium of instruction is primarily English. AMU is perhaps the only university in the country, which has high schools in its domain: It has as many as five high schools including one for the visually handicapped, and two senior secondary schools for boys and girls.


History

The university grew out of the work of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who in the aftermath of the Indian War of Independence of 1857 felt that it was important for Muslims to gain education and become involved in the public life and government services in India. Raja Jai Kishan helped Sir Syed in establishing the university.

The British decision to replace the use of Persian in 1842 for government employment and as the language of Courts of Law caused deep anxiety among Muslims of the sub-continent. Sir Syed saw a need for Muslims to acquire proficiency in the English language and Western sciences if the community were to maintain its social and political clout, particularly in Northern India. He began to prepare for the formation of a Muslim university by starting schools. In 1864, the Scientific Society of Aligarh was set up to translate Western works into native languages as a prelude to prepare the community to accept Western education. Sir Sultan Mahommed Shah, The Aga Khan III has contributed greatly to Aligarh Muslim University with financial support.

In 1875, Sir Syed founded the Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College in Aligarh and patterned the college after Oxford and Cambridge universities that he had visited on a trip to England. His objective was to build a college in tune with the British education system but without compromising its Islamic values. Sir Syed's son, Syed Mahmood, had studied at Cambridge and contributed a proposal for an independent university to the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College Fund Committee upon his return from England in 1872. This proposal was adopted and subsequently modified. Mahmood continued to work alongside his father in founding the college.

It was one of the first purely residential educational institution set up either by the government or the public in India. Over the years it gave rise to a new educated class of Muslims who were active in the political system of the British Raj. When viceroy to India Lord Curzon visited the college in 1901, he praised the work which was carried on and called it of "sovereign importance".[5]

The college was originally affiliated with the University of Calcutta and was transferred to the Allahabad University in 1885. Near the turn of the century it began publishing its own magazine and established a law school.

It was also around this time that a movement began to have it develop into a university. To achieve this goal, expansions were made and more programs added to the curriculum. A school for girls was established in 1907. By 1920 the college was transformed into Muslim University.

The first chancellor of the university was Sultan Shah Jahan Begum. In 1927, a school for the blind was established and, the following year, a medical school was attached to the university. By the end of the 1930s, the university had developed an Engineering faculty. Syed Zafarul Hasan, joined the Aligarh Muslim University in early 1900s as head of Philosophy Department, dean Faculty of Arts. He was a pro-vice chancellor before his retirement.

The university held its 58th annual convocation on June 18, 2008. Its chief guest was the former president of India, APJ Abdul Kalam and business tycoon Azim Hashim Premji, the chairman of Wipro Technologies Limited. They were conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Science. Former chief justice of India AM Ahmadi was present. 55 gold and 135 silver medals were awarded and more than 4500 degrees were conferred.

Landmarks

  • 24 May 1875: Inauguration of the school (Madarsatul Uloom) at Sami Manzil, Jail Road, Aligarh presided by Maulvi Mohd. Karim, president of the Managing Committee. Maulvi Samiullah's son Hamidullah Khan admitted as the first student.
  • 1 June 1875: Boarding House started with seven students on the roll with a budget of Rs. 989/- per month. Managing Committee consisted of Maulvi Samiullah, Chiragh Ali, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Syed Mahmud, Raja Jaikishan Das, Nawab Ziauddin Khan and Maulvi Ahsan Nanotavi, etc.
  • 28 June 1875: H.G.I. Siddons took over as headmaster on a salary of Rs. 400/- per month. Baijnath Prasad was appointed as second master with Maulvi Abul Hasan, Maulana Mohd. Akbar, Syed Jafer Ali, Maulvi Najaf Ali etc.
  • 12 November 1875: Sir William Muir, lieutenant governor of U.P. visited the institution. He was presented with an address of welcome on behalf of the school in which the scheme of the college was described in detail.
  • 6 December 1875: H.H. Mahindra Singh, the maharaja of Patiala, accompanied by his chief minister Khalifa Muhammed Hasan, paid a visit to the school and announced a grant of Rs. 1,800/- per annum. He was appointed the first visitor of the institution.
  • 8 November 1877: Syed Ahmed Khulusi Effendi, the ambassador of Turkey visited the college.
  • 8 January 1877: Lord Lytton, the viceroy and governor general of India laid the foundation stone of the M.A.O. College. Raja Shambhu Narayan Singh, Raja Jai Kishan Das, Rao Kishan Kumar and others were also present.
  • 1 January 1878: Intermediate classes started and the college affiliated to the Calcutta University for F.A. examination.
  • 12 January 1878: Sir Richard Temple, governor of Bombay paid a visit.
  • 10 December 1880: Sir John Strachey, the lieutenant governor of U.P. paid a visit on the eve of his retirement from ICS.

1 January 1881: Four students appeared in the B.A. examination. Ishwari Prasad was the first student to pass.

  • 5 February 1883: Sir Alfred Lyall, lieutenant governor of U.P. visited and declared open the newly constructed classrooms.
  • 26 August 1884: Students' Union (Siddons Union Club) was inaugurated under the presidentship of Theodore Beck. Khwaja Sajjad Husain was declared vice president and Syed Mohammed Ali secretary of the Union.
  • 1884: Foundation stone of the Victoria Gate was laid.
  • 22 December 1886: All India Mohammedan Educational Conference was inaugurated.
  • 3 January 1887: A deputation of the College Fund Committee called upon the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mehboob Ali Khan, to seek the permission to dedicate the college museum to him.
  • 16 November 1887: The college was affiliated to Allahabad University.
  • 1 January 1888: Sir John Edge, the first vice chancellor of the Allahabad University visited the college on the occasion of the anniversary of the Siddons Union Club.
  • 24 July 1888: Sir Asman Jah Bahadur, prime minister of Hyderabad visited.
  • 6 February 1889: Sir Syed with his friends staged a drama in Aligarh Exhibition to raise funds for the college.
  • 21 December 1889: Trustee Bill passed and Board of Trustees replaced the College Fund Committee. Sir Syed was elected life honorary secretary and Syed Mahmud life joint secretary.
  • November 1890: Duty Society was inaugurated at the initiative of Sahibzada Aftab Ahmad Khan.
  • 1891: Aligarh Magazine started its publication under the editorship of Maulana Shibli Nomani.
  • 25June 1891 : The brotherhood or 'The Ikhwanussafa' was set up. Its membership was open to the present and past AMU students and teachers. It was later on converted into Old Boys' Association.
  • 29 December 1891: The chief justice of Allahabad, Douglas Straight, visited to inaugurate the law classes.
  • 12 November 1894: The lieutenant governor, Sir Charles Crosthwait, performed the opening ceremony of Strachey Hall.
  • 7 August 1895: Sir Allen Cadell, governor of U.P. visited and presided over the annual prize distribution function. (Sir) Ziauddin received the Strachey Gold Medal for securing Honours in Mathematics.
  • 27 March 1898: Sir Syed breathed his last at 10 P.M. His funeral prayer was performed in the cricket ground on 28 March.
  • 31 March 1898: Efforts started to make the college a Muslim university by Sahabzada Aftab Ahmad Khan.
  • 31 January 1899: Mohsinul Mulk appointed secretary of M.A.O. College and Syed Mahmud was granted Life presidentship.
  • 2 July 1901: H. H. Siyaji Rao Gaikwad of Baroda visited.
  • 10 August 1903: A deputation headed by Mir Wilayat Husain was sent to Iran, on whose persuasion 12 students from the royal family came to study at Aligarh.
  • 7 March 1906 : Prince of Wales visited the College and Science Section was established. Sir Adamji Peer Bhoi of Bombay donated Rs. One Lakh ten thousand. H.H. Agha Khan and Raja Saheb of Mahmoodabad gave Rs. 36 thousand cash and a grant of Rs. 64,611 per annum to the College.
  • 1 October 1906 : A delegation headed by Agha Khan called upon Lord Minto, the Viceroy and Governor General of India in Shimla to seek help in establishing a Muslim University.
  • 16 January 1907 : His Majesty Habeebullah Khan, Shah of Afghanistan visited the College and announced a grant of Rs. 20,000.
  • 10 February 1907 : Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah established Girls' School, which in 1921 became a High School and was recognized as Undergraduate College in 1937.
  • 1907 : Students strike against European Staff.
  • 1 December 1907 : Nawab Viqarul Mulk was appointed Secretary of the College.
  • 20 July 1908 : Government handed over General Peron's residence, Sahib Bagh, built in 1803 to the College, which after some alteration became Sulaiman Hall.
  • 13 November 1909 : Mir Imam Baksh of Talpur, ruler of Khairpur Sindh visited the College and donated a property of Rs 500 per month. So impressed was he by the high standard of the College that he decided to admit his son to this college.
  • 15 December 1909 : Mr J. C. Gupta, Member of the Indian Council visited and was highly impressed by the secular character of the College.
  • 1 January 1910 : Sir Pratap Singh Inder Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir donated Rs 2,000 to the college during his visit.
  • 18 March 1910 : Mr. Chirol, Foreign Editor of The Times visited the College.
  • 10 January 1911 : A Committee constituted to establish Muslim University with Sir Agha Khan as the President and Nawab Viqarul Mulk as Hony. Secretary. Nawab Muzammilullah Khan, Haji Mohd. Musa Khan, Shaikh Mohd. Abdullah and Mr. Shaukat Ali were appointed Joint Secretaries.
  • 16 February 1911 : University Constitution Committee was formed and held its first meeting at Lucknow.
  • 9 June 1912 : Sir Rameshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga, who was the President of B.H.U. Committee, visited the College.
  • 21 July 1912 : The Trustees accepted Nawab Viqarul Mulk's resignation and unanimously elected Nawab Ishaq Khan as Secretary.
  • 27 February 1914 : Begum Sultan Jahan of Bhopal laid the foundation stone of the Educational Conference Building which she declared open on *19.2.1916.
  • 25 July 1914 : The main gate of the College was named as Victoria Gate.
  • Feb 1915 : The Mosque was formally declared open.
  • 6 January 1917 : Mrs. Sarojni Naidu delivered a lecture on 'the glories of Islam and the Hindu-Muslim amity' at Strachey Hall.
  • 29 January 1918 : The Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Usman Ali Khan, visited the College and donated Rs one lakh for Arabic teaching and Rs five thousand for renovating rooms of the hostel named later as Osmania hostel.
  • 25 October 1920 : Mahatma Gandhi visited the College and was made the first Honorary Life Member of the Students' Union.
  • 29 October 1920 : Inauguration of Jamia Millia Islamia at University Mosque. Shaikh-ul-Hind Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan presided over the function.
  • 16 November 1926 : His Highness Nawab Hamidullah Khan of Bhopal laid the foundation stone of Science College. Government of India donated Rs. 15 Lakh and Nizam of Hyderabad also donated Rs. 10 Lakh to the University.
  • 27 October 1927 : The Chancellor appointed an Enquiry Commission on the University affairs headed by Sir Ibrahim Rehmatullah on the recommendation of PVC. Sir Ziauddin resigned on 27 April 1928.
  • 27 November 1927 : William Marris, Governor of U.P. inaugurated Ahmadi School for the Blind.
  • 24 November 1928 : Allama Iqbal conferred with the life membership of the AMU Students' Union.
  • 20 September 1931 : Dr. C.V.Raman, noted scientist conferred with the D.Sc. (Honoris causa)
  • 14 November 1933 : At its 12th Annual Convocation the University awarded its first Doctorate to Dr. Omar Farooq in Chemistry.
  • 1934 : Frontier Leader Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, an alumnus, visited his alma mater.
  • 1934 : Jawahar Lal Nehru visited Aligarh Muslim University.
  • 30 April 1934 : Sir Ross Masood resigned from the post of Vice Chancellor.
  • 1935 : The Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Usman Ali Khan elected Chancellor of the University.
  • 1936 : The university acquired Aligarh Fort.
  • 5 February 1938 : Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, President, All India Muslim League visited AMU.
  • 23 January 1938 : Sir Agha Khan laid the foundation stone of Technical Laboratories.
  • 8 March 1941 : Nawab Kamal Yar Jung inaugurated Agha Khan Workshop. B.Sc. (Engineering) classes started.
  • 15 December 1948 : C. Rajgopalacharya, Governor General of India visited the University.
  • 11 October 1951 : The Parliament passed the AMU Amendment Act.
  • 8 December 1951 : The President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad delivered the Convocation Address.
  • 3 January 1952 : The Health Minister, Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, laid the foundation stone of the Institute of Ophthalmology.
  • 6 November 1955 : Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone of Maulana Azad Library, which was inaugurated by him on 6 December 1960.
  • 3 December 1955 : His Majesty Shah Saud Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia visited the University. The University conferred upon him the degree of Doctorate of law (Honoris Causa).
  • 25 February 1956 : In a special Convocation, the University conferred the degree of Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) upon Shah of Iran, Raza Shah Pehalvi.
  • 21 May 1956 : A delegation led by Dr. Zakir Husain visited Saudi Arabia and Shah Saud donated Rs. one million for the establishment of Medical College.
  • 17 February 1958 : His Majesty Zahir Shah of Afghanistan was conferred with LL.D. (Honoris Causa).
  • 1 April 1960 : Jamal Abdul Nasser, President of United Arab Republic visited the institution.
  • 8 November 1960 : Mr. C.D. Deshmukh, Chairman, University Grants Commission laid the foundation stone of General Education Centre (Kennedy House) with a donation of Rs. 22 Lakhs by Ford Foundation, U.S.A.
  • 19 January 2012 : P. K.Abdul Azis worst v.c of amu leave amu

Academics

Aligarh Muslim University is a residential academic institution offering 280 courses in traditional and modern branches of education. It has almost 30,000 students, and over 2,000 faculty members with over 80 departments of study. It draws students from a number of countries, especially those in Africa, West Asia and South East Asia. In some courses, seats are reserved for students from SAARC and Commonwealth countries.[6]

The 12 faculties are:

  • Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Commerce
  • Faculty of Engineering and Technology
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Life Sciences
  • Faculty of Management Studies and Research
  • Faculty of Medicine
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Theology
  • Faculty of Unani Medicine

The university maintains interdepartmental research centres such as:

  • Interdisciplinary Unit of Biotechnology
  • Centre of Excellence in Material Science/Nanotechnology
  • Centre for Comparative Study of Indian Languages and Culture
  • Centre of West Asian Studies
  • Centre of Woman Studies
  • Centre of Nehru Studies

Schools

  • Abdullah Girls High School
  • Abdullah Nursery School
  • A.B.K. Union High School (boys)
  • A.B.K. Union High School (girls)
  • City High School (boys)
  • City High School (Qazi Pada) (girls)
  • S.T.S. High School (Minto Circle) (boys)
  • Senior Secondary School (boys)
  • Senior Secondary School (girls)
  • Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged

Colleges

Maulana Azad Library

Main article: Maulana Azad Library

Maulana Azad Library is considered one of the major libraries of the world, with glorious past and promising future. It was established with the foundation of Madarsatul-Uloom Musalmanan at Aligarh in 1877. It stands as the largest university library in India and second largest in Asia with more than 11.5 lakh books/documents. The foundation stone was laid by Lord Lytton, the viceroy of India. That is why the library was originally named Lytton Library.

The present grand seven-storied building surrounded by 4.5 acres of land was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then prime minister of India in 1960 and was named as Maulana Azad Library, after the name of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the great educationist, statesman and the first education minister of independent India.

The library performs the functions of a national library so far as its collection of Oriental manuscripts are concerned. It is for these rich collections of immense research value that the library is reckoned among the major libraries of the world. The oldest manuscript owned by the library is more than 1,400 years old — a fragment of the Qur'an transcribed by Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam that is written on parchment in Kufi script. Another rare collection is the unique Halnama of Beyazid Ansari.

The library has a collection of early printed books. Some Sanskrit works translated into Persian have been preserved in the library. Other possessions include the Ayurved in Telugu and the Bhasa's in Malayalam script written on palm leaves. Abul Faiz Faizi, a scholar of Akbar's court translated several Sanskrit works into Persian, such as Mahapurana, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharat and Lilavati; these are also available.

Among the large collection of Mughal paintings is the painting of Red Blossom, by Mansoor Naqqash, the court artist of Emperor Jahangir.

The library provides the campus-wide access to online journals through a well-equipped Computer Lab. Digital resources on many subjects are made accessible through a Digital Resource Centre. All the issuable books in the library are bar-coded for automated check in and check out. It has started data mining in a recently developed Information Centre, where free e-resources are tapped for the benefit of the university community. A list is given under the link E-Resources.[7][8]

Halls of residence

There are 19 halls of residence comprising 69 hostels:

  • Abdullah Hall (for women)
  • Aftab Hall
  • Allama Iqbal Hall
  • Hadi Hasan Hall
  • Indira Gandhi Hall (for women)
  • Mohsinul Mulk Hall
  • Mohammad Habib Hall
  • Nadeem Tarin Hall
  • New Engineering College Girls' Hall (for women)
  • Ross Masood Hall
  • Sir Syed Hall (North)
  • Sir Syed Hall (South)
  • Sir Shah Sulaiman Hall
  • Sir Ziauddin Hall
  • Sarojini Naidu Hall (for women)
  • Viqarul Mulk Hall
  • Sherwani Hall(RCA)
  • Begum Sultan Jahan Hall (for women)
  • Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hall

In addition, there is a Non-Resident Students' Centre (NRSC) which caters for non-resident students academic and extracurricular activities.[9]

Vice-chancellors

  1. Sahebzada Aftab Ahmad Khan 16/02/24–15/11/1926
  2. Ross Masud 25/01/1930–11/1933
  3. Ziauddin Ahmed[10] 18/11/1935–25/01/1938
  4. Shah Muhammad Sulaiman 30/12/1938–08/12/1940
  5. Zakir Husain November 1948–September 1956
  6. Bashir Hussain Zaidi October 1956–November 1962
  7. Badaruddin Taiyabji November 1962–February 1965
  8. Ali Yawar Jung March 1965–January 1968
  9. Abdul Aleem January 1968–January 1974
  10. A. M. Khusro January 1974–December 1978
  11. Syed Hamid[11] 10 June 1980–26 March 1985
  12. Syed Hashim Ali Akhtar (IAS), April 1985–October 1989
  13. Mohd Naseem Faroqui October 1990–December 1994
  14. Mahmoodur Rahman (IAS) May 1995–May 2000
  15. Mohammad Hamid Ansari 28 May 2000–March 31, 2002
  16. Naseem Ahmad (IAS) 8 May 2002–7 April 2007
  17. P. K. Abdul Aziz 11 June 2007–17 January 2012

AMU Centres

The AMU has established centres at Malappuram (Kerala) and Murshidabad (West Bengal) while the Kishanganj (Bihar) centre has been allotted land and a site has been identified for Aurangabad centre (Maharashtra). The establishment of Kerala and West Bengal centres is considered as a glorious chapter in the history of Aligarh Muslim University by all discerning minds. These Centres would pave way for educational renaissance among Muslims and the people of respective regions. When the University would be organizing its centenary celebrations in 2020, these Centres would have the potential to assume status of independent academic entities. These centres are destined to pave way for an educational revolution among Muslims and the institution considered a symbol of Muslims’ glory would expand its area of activity to serve the nation in a more meaningful way.[12]

Genesis of the New Centres

On October 17, 2002, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Digvijay Singh while addressing the Sir Syed’s birth anniversary celebration announced to provide free land for setting up of a Centre of the Aligarh Muslim University or a similar minority educational institution in Madhya Pradesh.In the meantime, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of India on March 30, 2007 requesting for establishment of the Aligarh Muslim University centre in Murshidabad. On November 21, 2007, the Education Minister of Kerala, Shri M. A. Baby met the Union Minister of State for HRD, Shri M. A. A. Fatmi and requested to establish Aligarh Muslim University campus at Malappuram.

After assuming the office of Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University on June 11,2007, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis focused on the all-round development of the University to fulfill Sir Syed’s dreams as well as to promote the new policy of affirmative action initiated by the government. On December 2, 2007, the University Court, the supreme governing body of AMU passed a historical resolution that the University should establish its Centres in North, South, East and West covering different regions of India under section 12(2) of AMU Act. The proposal to establish five centres at Katihar (Bihar), Pune (Maharashtra),Malappuram (Kerala), Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) was unanimously approved by the Executive Council in its meeting on January 17, 2008. Later, the proposal for Katihar was changed over to Kishanganj on request of the Chief Minister of Bihar.

For upliftment of the weaker social segment, a proposal was submitted to the Government of India for the establishment of five new Centres of AMU in the Muslim concentrated educationally backward and underdeveloped regions of India. With a view to translate the emerging thinking into reality a slew of steps were initiated including writing letter to the chief ministers of all five states requesting them to provide 250-300 acres of land, free from all encumbrances and free of cost to the University for the establishment of AMU Centres.

Earlier, the Aligarh Muslim University submitted a detailed proposal to the Government of India for establishment of AMU Centres along with an estimate of expenditure of Rs. 400 Crores for each centre. Responding to AMU’s proposal, the Central Government allocated Rs. 25 Crores each as an initial grant for the establishment of Malappuram (Kerala) and Murshidabad (West Bengal) centres in its 2009-2010 annual budget.[13]

Malappuram Centre (Kerala)

The AMU Centre Malappuram began functioning in February 2011 with the commencement of MBA and BA LLB classes from rented premises.[14] According to AMU Vice-Chancellor Dr PK Abdul Azeez, the Malappuram centre of the AMU would be an educational hub by 2017 with more than 11,000 students. B.Tech courses will begin in 2012 and Medical College by 2017. About 13 courses such as biomedical, paramedical, pharmacy, unani and tourism management will also begin by 2017. There are also plans for opening short-term paramedical courses. The AMU is planning to open special college and polytechnic for women as part of the Malappuram centre next year itself, which will be helpful to solve the backwardness of women. The centre will also begin courses for married women.

The VC expressed his hope that the classes could be transferred to the Malappuram centre’s own building in July (2012). The official function of laying the foundation stone of the building will be in June, in which central ministers will attend. The future of the campus will be decided on its functioning of five years. Since the university has no special attachment or detachment to any politics, the centre will function purely on academic basis. The AMU has submitted a master plan of Rs 1192 crores for the Malappuram centre before the central government. [15]

The Government of Kerala has handed over in first phase 122 acres of land at Perinthalmanna in a grand public function on March 06, 2010 and provided temporary accommodation to make AMU Malappuram Centre functional. An additional 218 acres of land was handed over to AMU by the Chief Minister of Kerala in the presence of a galaxy of Ministers and dignitaries on December 28, 2010.[16]

Murshidabad Centre (West Bengal)

Within a week of the successful launch of classes at Malappuram Centre, the AMU is commencing MBA and BALLB classes from March 6, 2011, at its Murshidabad Centre making both its centres academically functional. Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, OSD, AMU Murshidabad Centre, while explaining the vision document said that the Centre will grow into a state-of-the-art, Greenfield sprawling modern campus spread across 288 acres of land. In about 10 years down the time line the Murshidabad Centre will have more than 10,000 students engaged in advance study and research brightening their future and sharpening their talent and personalities.

Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis pointed out that the University needs nearly 1300 crore to run all courses at the Murshidabad Centre. He said that his dream of University expansion is now bearing fruit and Sir Syed's educational mission is now being spread across the country. The West Bengal government has already handed over 288 acres of land and in the presence of Chief Minister of West Bengal and a host of other dignitaries, the foundation stone of the Murshidabad Centre was laid by Shri Pranab Mukherjee,Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance in a massive public function on 20th November 2010. [17]

Kishanganj Centre (Bihar)

On December 30, 2011, the Nitish Kumar led Government of Bihar transferred 224.02 acres of land to Aligarh Muslim University establishing the AMU Kishanganj Centre. The land falls under the Kishanganj circle, Mauza Chakla, Khata no. 384 and Mauza Govindpur, Khata No. 40, together totaling 224.02 acres. The land has been transferred over to the Registrar, Aligarh Muslim University by the District Magistrate and Collector of Kishanganj District, free from any encumbrances for setting up a Centre of the Aligarh Muslim University. [18]

Aurangabad Centre (Maharashtra)

The Aligarh Muslim University has informed the Government of Maharashtra that Khuldabad site (27 km from Aurangabad) situated in Sulibhanjan comprising 332 acres of land is best suitable to establish the AMU centre. Prof. Azis has urged the state Government to give the entire 332 acres of land with addition of 10 acres of land lying adjacent to the social forestry region. He also asked for protected water be provided by the state Government along with a 33 KV electricity sub-station at the proposed site and the site be connected by a 30 meter wide road from the national highway within three month besides ensuring that the land be encumbrances-free and contiguous, measured, fenced up by the government and to be transferred in favour of the Registrar of AMU Aligarh and all the land record handed over to on the day of land transfer.

Prof. Azis also requested to handover the land within a shortest possible time preferably within one month so that the University can prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) for submission to the Government of India and seek the permission of The President of India in her capacity as the Visitor of the University as was done in the case of Murshidabad and Malappuram Centre. [19]

Alumni meetings

World alumni summit

AMU World Alumni Summit was organised on 18–19 October 2008. Alumni from 26 countries participated in the programme. Aligarians met their old friends, classmates and teachers. Mohammad Hamid Ansari was part of the meet. The vice chancellor, professor P. K. Abdul Aziz welcomed the alumni and proposed an AMU Alumni Endowment Fund for the activities of alumni in the university.

Ranking

University rankings

AMU was ranked #11 in India Today's India's Top 45 Universities of 2011.[20]

Notable alumni

Heads of state and government

State Leader Office
 India Zakir Hussain President 1967-1969
 India Mohammad Hamid Ansari Vice President 2010- Till Date
 Pakistan Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan First Prime Minister 1947-1951
 Pakistan Khawaja Nazimuddin Governor General 1948-1951, Prime Minister 1951-1953
 Pakistan Malik Ghulam Muhammad Governor General 1951-1955, Minister of Finance 1947-1951
 Pakistan Ayub Khan President 1958-1969

(didn't complete his degree)

 Pakistan Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry President 1973-1978
 Bangladesh Muhammad Mansur Ali Prime minister Jan. 1975-Aug. 1975
 Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah Prime Minister 1948-1953 (later served as Chief Minister)

Politicians

Other notable alumni

References

  1. ^ http://www.amu.ac.in/aboutamu.htm
  2. ^ Mushirul Hasan, "Nationalist and Separatist Trends in Aligarh, 1915-47," Indian Economic and Social History Review, (Jan 1985) 22#1 pp 1-33
  3. ^ Zakir Ali khan,An Alumni of AMU,in an Interview with The Dawn,Pakistani News paper
  4. ^ "Test for admission to courses in AMU centre". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 29 March 2011.
  5. ^ Curzon in India. Being a Selection from his Speeches as Viceroy amp ... By Sir Thomas Raleigh, pg474
  6. ^ about AMU
  7. ^ "official webpage of MA Library". Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  8. ^ "facilities in AMU". Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  9. ^ History of Non Resident Students’ Centre (1910–2000), Aligarh Muslim University. Ed. Syed Ziaur Rahman, Ibn Sina Academy, Aligarh, 2000
  10. ^ http://www.zu.edu.pk/
  11. ^ thealigs.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html
  12. ^ http://mp.amu.ac.in/Information%20Bulletin_malapuram.pdf
  13. ^ http://mp.amu.ac.in/Information%20Bulletin_malapuram.pdf
  14. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2011/03/01/stories/2011030153870500.htm
  15. ^ http://twocircles.net/2011mar01/amu_malappuram_centre_be_independent_university_2020_vc.html
  16. ^ http://mp.amu.ac.in/Information%20Bulletin_malapuram.pdf
  17. ^ http://www.amu.ac.in/ProNews.jsp?cat=News
  18. ^ http://twocircles.net/2011dec30/amu_kishanganj_centre_bihar_gov_transfers_land_varsity.html
  19. ^ http://www.amu.ac.in/ProNews.jsp?cat=News
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rankings_IT_U was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ [1], The Guardian obituary, 5 March 2001.

Further reading

  • Hasan, Mushirul. "Nationalist and Separatist Trends in Aligarh, 1915-47," Indian Economic and Social History Review, (Jan 1985), Vol. 22 Issue 1, pp 1-33
  • Minault, Gail, and David Lelyveld, "The Campaign for a Muslim University 1898-1920," Modern Asian Studies, (March 1974) 8#2 pp 145-189
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