218 acres land transfered to AMU in Kerala

While handing over the map and documents transferring 218 acres Phase II land to AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor P.K. Abdul Azis, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri V.S. Achuthanandan said that the benefit for the minorities was decisive factor that propelled the things to move so fast that the Government of Kerala could acquire and transfer the required land in a record time.

He appreciated the efforts of Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis, AMU Vice Chancellor for relentlessly perusing the Malappuram centres project and successfully translating the dreams into reality.

Leader of Opposition, Kerala, Shri Oommen Chandy observed that the Kerala Government has taken initiative to fulfill the aspirations of minorities by providing land to AMU to establish its centre in Malappuram. He said that the Opposition party will also work in tandem with the ruling party of the state and take up the matter with the Government of India for allocation of an amount of rupees fifteen hundred crores required to establish state-of-the-art-educational campus of AMU-Malappuram centre.

Explaining the efforts made by the Revenue Ministry, the Local Self Government Ministry, the Electricity Ministry and other Ministries and their officials, Shri M.A. Baby, Minister for Education and Culture said that it is the combined efforts of the government, opposition parties and the public which is responsible for the creation of a modern educational hub by providing land to AMU.

While thanking the Government of Kerala, all political parties and the people at large Professor P.K. Abdul Azis said that the land transfer is a great occasion celebrated with equal enthusiasm by the AMU and the people of Kerala. Explaining the background of AMU efforts in conceiving the vision and mission of AMU centres across the nation Prof. Azis said that the University has already prepared the Detailed Project Report and submitted to the Central Government for its approval.

The project will provide access to education at different levels. The beneficiaries will be mostly middle and lower class rural youth with substantial benefit to women. The Center will be green-field energy efficient and eco-friendly. The project would be completed within timeline and on turnkey basis. The approach is to develop the centre as an autonomous entity with potential to become new universities by 2020.

The centre will be adequately oriented for the use of hi-tech information and communication technology. It will facilitate development of advance e-learning resources with built-in delivery and interaction system. The University has evolved a time frame and the infra structural development were put on fast track and the Malappuram Centre will be made completely functional by 2015, explained the Vice Chancellor.

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor, AMU explained in detail the different dimensions of Malappuram centre through a power point presentation.

Mr. Sasi Kumar, MLA of Perinthalmanna welcomed the gathering. A large number of dignitaries representing various political parties and educational and cultural organization including Shri K.P. Rajendran, Minister for Revenue and Land Reforms, Shri Paloli Mohamed Kutty, Minister for Local Self Government, Shri Abdur Rab, MLA, Shri Abdurahiman Randathani, Former Education Minister, Advocate Swoppy Mohamed Basheer, MP and former Education Minister and a large number of old boys were present in the function.

AMU officials including Professor V.K. Abdul Jaleel, Registrar, Mrs. Yasmeen Jalal Beg, Finance Officer, Prof. Pervez Mustajab, Controller of Examinations, Prof. Ekram Husain, Principal, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Jawed Akhtar, Dean, Faculty of Management, Prof. Mohammad Shabbir, Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. N.A.K. Durrani, Media Advisor and Chairman, Department of Mass Communication and Prof. H.A.S. Yahya, O.S.D., AMU Malappuram Centre were also present.

Mr. Kuruvilla John, Principle Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Kerala proposed a vote of thanks.

AMU to conduct M.Phil /PhD tests twice a year

The Aligarh Muslim University has decided that University would hold another admission test for M. Phil/PhD candidates in the month of June/July 2011. It was also proposed to hold the test twice in a year subject to approval of Academic Council to be held next month.

The candidates who could not qualify the test for admission to M. Phil/PhD held on December 5, 2010 will get another opportunity after six months.

The decision was taken in a consultative meeting of the Deans of the faculties and principals of the colleges under the chairmanship of the Vie Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis.

The Aligarh Muslim University constituted a 23-member Sub-committee of the Academic Council for adopting UGC’s minimum norms and standard and modify the norms of the University in the light of UGC requirements.

The Academic Council of the University approved the academic ordinances that the qualifying marks in Paper-I is 40% and in Paper-II, it is 50% but a good number of candidates failed to secure the prescribed minimum marks. The matter was again discussed in the meeting of the Deans/Principals and all the members unanimously resolved that there must not be any dilution as the PhD programmes are prestigious.

A large number of candidates with NET/JRF qualification have also applied for admission and they are exempted from appearing in the test.

In response to the issues raised by various groups of candidates who met the Controller of Examinations and the Vice Chancellor relating to negative marking, prior notification of the paper II syllabus and exemption from appearing in admission test by M. Phil candidates, they were asked to submit their issues of concern in writing so that they could be examined by appropriate academic bodies before the next admission test expected in June/July 2011.