ALIGARH: In a ceremony marked by pageantry and fanfare, the Aligarh Muslim University awarded 207 medals, about 600 M.Phil./Ph.D. and 5000 graduate and post-graduate degrees during the celebrations of its 63rd Annual Convocation.
Mr Frank F Islam, Chairman and CEO of FI Investment Group, USA and Interventional Cardiologist Dr Ashok Seth, Chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi and Head Cardiology Council of Fortis Group of Hospitals were the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively, and the recipient of honorary DSc degrees, while the event was presided over by AMU Chancellor, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.
In his address, His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin said that it is Islamic duty to remove the darkness of ignorance with the light of wisdom. He said Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s vision, determination and dynamism led to the establishment this great institution.
The Chancellor urged the passing graduates to indulge in Khidmat-e-Khalq (serving humanity) like Mr Frank Islam, who has generously donated to his alma mater and Dr Ashok Seth, who has been gifted Shifa (cure) by Allah.
Quoting 'Allamal insana malam ya’lam’, (God teaches man what he does not know) a verse from the Holy Quran, the Chancellor said propagation of education and service to humanity will lead humanity to a better world and a better Hereafter.
Emphasising the importance of education in the light of Quran, Dr Syedna said it is imperative for all of us to receive significant education and work on propagation like the great Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
The Chancellor also said that one should love his Watan-e-Aziz (beloved nation) and work with determination and passion to make our country a better place.
Presenting the Annual Report of the 63rd Annual Convocation, the Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (retd) said that AMU has scaled new heights and it is evident from the fact that it secured ‘A’ Grading from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in March 2015, while the Times Higher Education, London and the US News and World Report ranked AMU as the second best Indian University. He added that India Today ranked AMU as the fourth best university and published a three page exclusive report on AMU.
“The India Today-Neilson Best Colleges ranking has accorded AMU’s Law Faculty as the 6th best law college, J N Medical College as the 14th best medical college, Department of Fine Arts as the 10th best Fine Arts College and Z H College of Engineering and Technology as the 21st best engineering college of India,” said the Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor informed that AMU has recently recruited 500 University/School teachers through General Selection Committee.
“We carried out 300 research projects, organized more than 100 international and national seminars and conferences and faculties published more than 2500 papers and around 150 books,” said the Vice Chancellor adding that AMU has entered into collaborative projects with International universities including a MoU with the American University in Emirates.
The Vice Chancellor added that the new developments include a Trauma Centre in JNMC; a Girls’ Hostel for 1500 girl students; Extension of Dr Ambedkar Hall Annexe; a New Complex of Dawakhana Tibbiya College; Renovation and restoration of Strachey Hall, Kennedy Hall and Jama Masjid; a new Swimming pool complex and CALEM hostel and auditorium.
He pointed out that to mark Sir Syed Bicentenary celebrations; AMU has established a Centre for Interfaith Understanding.
“In the AMU schools, we plan to impart computer literacy from Class I,” he said adding that the Sir Syed Education Foundation will work under the CPECAMI for establishing modern secular schools in districts with sizeable Muslim population. He further added that these schools with Islamic ethos will admit children of all communities and the Ministry of Minority Affairs (Maulana Azad Foundation) has committed to give Sir Syed Education Foundation a sum of Rs 10 crore per year for establishment of these schools.
“AMU faculty members have brought laurels by being part of institutions of international and national repute among other things while AMU students have done us proud by attaining prestigious fellowships, winning sports events and by qualifying competitive exams,” said the Vice Chancellor.
He concluded by confirming the availability of Nobel Laureate Takaaki Kajita on the 64th Annual Convocation on November 1, 2016.
On receiving the honorary DSc degree, the Chief Guest, Mr Frank F Islam said that this degree is very special as he shares a strong connection and bond to the past and the future of AMU.
Mr Islam said that his success started with education in AMU. He advised the students that success will come, if they believe in achieving their aims and working on their visions with passion and perseverance.
Addressing the students as the future of India and the World, Mr Islam said that this convocation is the starting line and AMU has put the basic building blocks in place for success.
He advised the students that a passion for education, eternal optimism about hopes and dreams and exploiting fullest potentials will take them to successful lives.
Sharing his experience, Mr Islam said that he went to the USA to pursue his dreams but it required learning the ways of business, becoming an entrepreneur, founding his own company and building a talented team to work.
“But the dream by itself was not enough as aiming high and hard work was what made it true,” said Mr Islam.
Mr Islam pointed out that Sir Syed once said that ‘from the seed which we sow today there may spring up a mighty tree and that this College may expand into a University, whose sons and daughters shall go forth throughout the length and breadth of the land.’ With the quote, he urged the students to now use this opportunity to achieve success.
He added that AMU students have made significant contributions as educators, politicians, poets, scientists, engineers, lawyers and in businesses.
“There are around 20,000 successful AMU alumni in 100 countries,” he said.
Mr Islam said that since now we are living in turbulent times, the world needs AMU graduates, who understand that working with others to solve problems is critical and that what one gives back is more important than what one accomplishes individually.
Mr Islam urged the students that on reaching success, they should not forget to give back and help others by giving them ladders of opportunity to succeed.
While announcing a commitment of $2M to build a new School of Management Complex and endow a chair for entrepreneurship and innovation at AMU, Mr Islam said that this is his way of saying ‘thank you’ to AMU for empowering him and others, who will go out to empower others.
He further said that the statistics on minorities in poverty and without education are stunning and many need assistance and commitments to make things better for them. He also urged the Indian minority communities to be active participants in shaping the future of India.
After receiving the honorary D.Sc. degree, the Guest of Honour, Dr Ashok Seth said that as an AMU alumnus, he is over-whelmed and it is a very emotional moment.
Recalling his student life, Dr Seth said that AMU’s Medical College was the only institution that gave him the admission in the MBBS course and his experience in the university taught him selflessness and ways build on his dreams.
He added that the AMU founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan wanted the students of this institution to have compassion and a perfect character within their personalities as the character will remain even when we are old or no more living.
Dr Seth urged students to be dutiful and loving to their parents and family and always remember God for the success they achieve.
Dr Seth further urged students to be goodwill messengers of education and pay back AMU in best possible ways. He stated that his contribution and assistance for having a state-of-art Department of Cardiology and a Cath lab is his way of showing his love and affection to his Alma mater.
The AMU Pro Vice Chancellor, Brigadier S Ahmad Ali (retd) read out the citations for the honorary D.Sc. degree recipients.
While the respective Deans of the Faculties collected degrees for their students, University officials also awarded medals to the meritorious students. MBBS 2009 batch student Farah Azhar got the highest number of medals including six Gold Medals while MBBS 2009 batch student Saba Aafrin received three Gold Medals.
On the occasion, the Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Prof Jamal Ahmad, Prof Akbar Hussain and Prof Vellayani Arjunan were awarded the D.Sc. and D.Lit. degrees.
The Pro-Chancellor Nawab Ibne Said Khan of Chhatari and Honorary Treasurer Prof Habibur Rahman Khan graced the occasion along with a number of teachers, alumni and students.
The Registrar, Dr. Asfar Ali Khan and Controller of Examinations, Prof Javaid Akhtar conducted the programme.
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