Preparatory meeting with EdCIL expert committee for New Centers

The University efforts to translate the broad conceptualframework for the AMU Special Centres at Malappuram and Murshidabad receivedfurther fillip. In a preparatory meeting with EdCIL expert committee held atEdCIL headquarters, NOIDA to evolve a holistic Detailed Feasibility Report(DFR), AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis set in motionconceptualization of a new vision for establishing a Greenfield energysaving, modern state-of-the-art education edifices that truly meets anamalgam of local aspirations with that of global demands.
While unfolding the broad spectrum of multi phased development strategyProf. Azis said that by June next year AMU Centres would likely to move intotheir new campuses at Malappuram and Murshidabad. MBA and BALLB will be onthe agenda of first phase along with temporary 120 seats hostel, classroomsand staff quarters and other paraphernalia. The Vice Chancellor has askedthe EdCIL to design buildings in the regional campuses that should convergeinto top class elements with Greenfield and electronic security withE-managed systems in place.
Prof. Azis emphasized the need for an accelerated ‘take off’ for the secondphase including introduction of courses like B. Tech. in Marine, ShipBuilding, Rubber and Polymer, Nuclear, Biomedical, Computer, FuelTechnology, Dairy Technology, Safety and Fire Engineering, B. Pharma, M.Pharma, Mining, Jute Technology, Boys Polytechnic and a Polytechnic forgirls and other engineering and technology based programmes.
As part of medical faculty Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis suggested MBBS, BDS, B.Sc. Nursing, B. Sc. Physiotherapy, Clinical Biochemistry, Para-medicalCourses, Diploma in Medical Transcription etc. The other academic schemesthat figured include a Centre for Languages for teaching BA in Urdu,English, Arabic, Hindi, Malyalam etc. Basic sciences such as B. Sc. inMaths, Physics, Astro-Physics, Bio-Physics, Chemistry, Environment, Geologyand Bio-sciences and P. G. Diploma in Remote Sensing.
A number of Mass Communication courses received a priority including M. Sc.in Electronic Media, PG Diploma in Television Production, PG Diploma inCorporate Communication and Event Management, Diploma in Web Journalism,Videography and Video Editing, Documentary and Corporate Film Making.Teachers Training Programmes such as B. Ed., Elementary Teachers Training,Commerce Faculty Programmes, Master of Finance and Control, Master ofBanking, Insurance and Risk Management, P. G. Diploma in ComputerizedAccounting were also asked to be taken up in the second phase
Similarly, in the second phase B. Sc. in Horticulture, B. Sc. in Fisheries,B. Sc. in Animal Husbandry also received a distinct place.
While emphasizing the need for women education Prof. Azis has asked theEdCIL to accord topmost priority to women education in the second phaseincluding a state-of-the-art Women’s College offering diverse courses ofsubstantial value including in Home Science.
The AMU Vice Chancellor emphasized on the need of state-of-the-art ICTfacility, Central Instrumentation facilities and a central computingfacility and a fully equipped central lab, all manned by highly qualifiedprofessional technicians and staff.
Prof. Azis has informed that Kerala Government is making all efforts andwill be handing over the rest of the land by the end of July this year. TheWest Bengal Government has also made headway in this direction and depositedthe required amount in the Water Resource Ministry so that the FarakkaBarage land is transferred to AMU soon to enable it set up its MurshidabadRegional Centre. He informed that the University has already posted its OSDand an Assistant Registrar at Perinthalmanna to coordinate and expedite thework of Malappuram Regional Centre. The OSD designated for MurshidabadRegional Centre will be reaching soon to coordinate and speed up theprocess so that both MBA and BALLB will commence in the current academicsession.
The AMU team that participated in the deliberations included Prof. M.Saleemuddin, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of AMU and Coordinator,Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Prof. V. K. Abdul Jaleel, Registrar,Mrs. Yasmin Jalal, Finance Officer, Prof. Pervez Mustajab, Controller ofExaminations, Prof. Akhtar Haseeb, OSD Development, Prof. Ekram Husain,Principal, Z. H. College of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Javed Akhtar,Dean, Faculty of Management and Prof. N. A. K. Durrani, Media Advisor.
The EdCIL team headed by Mr. K. V. L. Narasimhan, Director (CorporatePlanning), some of whom had visited Malappuram Regional campus site of AMUhave expressed great satisfaction on getting a single plot of land of over250 acres in Malappuram. They were very much impressed of the location andfelt the site quite suitable for the kind of academic institution envisionedby AMU.
The other EdCIL team members who took part in the DFR preparatory meetingincludes Prof. G. D. Sharma, President, Society for Education and EconomicDevelopment, Prof. Najma Akhtar, Head, Department of EducationalAdministration, NUEPA, Mr. Kunal Mathur, Partner-Architect, Prof. SanjeevParasher, Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, Mr. I. S. Sidhu,Chief General Manager (Civil and Procurement), EdCIL, Mr. Gaurav Jaswal,Senior Executive, EdCIL and Mr. Binod Doley, Head (Technical Assistance),EdCIL.
Mr. Mathur, Partner Architect suggested captive power and micro plants of 4mega watt power. In order to keep a watch on the on-site resources hesuggested bi-monthly satellite imaging. For any project beyond 100 acres ofland environmental study and the details of the project impact needs to beadvertised for public scrutiny, for getting clearance from the EnvironmentMinistry, he pointed out.
The EdCIL briefed the AMU core group present on various dimensions includingthe fact that the DFR and DPR needs to be cleared by a host of state andcentral government agencies including Law, HRD and Environment Ministries.
The EdCIL further agreed to provide site DFR that includes broad costestimates, broad framework of courses and academic programmes includingintakes, HR components such as teachers, staff and students andinfrastructure details required for setting up a Greenfield campus of worldclass dimension. The DFR will also produce the details of various optionsand model such as unit model, autonomous model like menter and guidepolicymaking relationship model and independent model for facilitatinglinkage between AMU and its regional centres.
The EdCIL has agreed to submit DFR by July 31, 2010 to the University andafter receiving the response will prepare and finally submit DetailedProject Report (DPR) by August 30, 2010. Ms. Anju Benerjee, ManagingDirector of EdCIL also joined the deliberations and said that despite thepressure of haste EdCIL is ready to take up the challenging task of anenduring partnership with AMU in building state-of-the-art academicfacilities especially to benefit the excluded social class.