The Academic Council of Aligarh Muslim University today resolved the differences between the two top bodies of the university over the use of term for the special off-campus centres coming up in different parts of the country.
“Academic Council held today has reconsidered its draft amendments/ additions in the Statutes today and altered the use of words “Regional Campuses” in the light of Visitor’s approval and replaced it by the term “Centres”, said AMU PRO Dr Rahat Abrar.
As directed by the Executive Council in its meeting held on July 8, the Executive Council considered the draft amendments/ additions in the Statutes 6A, 8A, 18, 27, 29(2)(b), 35 and 36 of the Statutes of the University under Section 28 of the Act XL of 1920 submitted by the Academic Council and observed that since the Visitor while approving the AMU proposal to establish two Centres under Sub-section (2) of Section 12 of the University Act has used the term “Centres” the University for all its practical purposes should use the same term.
In view of the observation of the EC, the matter was brought back to the Academic Council and the change of terminology was unanimously approved.
The Academic Council had coined the term “regional campuses” in a resolution passed by it in the special meeting held on June 9, 2010. The Visitor of the University, however, used the term “Centres.”
The state governments of West Bengal and Kerala have given land for the Regional Centres in Murshidabad and Malappuram respectively. The university has made a lot of progress on the two sites
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
AMU all set to install smart boards in Department of Mass Communication
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has set in motion the process of modernization of classroom teaching in the Department of Mass Communication by organizing a workshop on the use of smart class room technology. The two-day workshop, which was conducted by an expert from Julong Educational Technologies, New Delhi, concluded on July 7, 2010.
“The department is one of the first in the university which has not only acquired smart board as part of wider smart class room technology but has also taken a right step to teach the nitty-gritties of how to use the new technology to its faculty members by organizing the workshop,” Prof N A K Durrani, chairman, Department of Mass Communication, AMU, has said.
According to Prof Durrani, the interactive board functions as a big computer screen where the teacher can write with the help of a ‘magic’ pen; make video, audio and PowerPoint presentations; and also access internet. The students can interact with the interactive panel by scribbling their queries, through special pens, directly on the board without raising hands or voices.
“The department is one of the first in the university which has not only acquired smart board as part of wider smart class room technology but has also taken a right step to teach the nitty-gritties of how to use the new technology to its faculty members by organizing the workshop,” Prof N A K Durrani, chairman, Department of Mass Communication, AMU, has said.
According to Prof Durrani, the interactive board functions as a big computer screen where the teacher can write with the help of a ‘magic’ pen; make video, audio and PowerPoint presentations; and also access internet. The students can interact with the interactive panel by scribbling their queries, through special pens, directly on the board without raising hands or voices.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Aligarh Muslim University’s council reviews status report over establishment of special Centers
A Special meeting of the Academic Council of the Aligarh Muslim University today reviewed the current status report of the action taken by the University with regard to the establishment of the Special Centers under Section 12(2) of the AMU Act 1981.
The Academic Council has approved unanimously the amendment/addition in the statutes and ordinances exclusively relating to the establishment of the two regional campuses, one at Malappuram and another at Murshidabad. Appointment of Directors for these regional campuses, its modus operandi, functional powers, etc., and appointment of Coordinators to head the academic units through which the courses will be offered in these regional campuses along with their functions and relationship with the Department of Study located at AMU?s main campus. The Academic Council has also approved the terms and conditions of the Director of the regional centers who will be a whole time salaried officer of the university holding a five-year term and illegible for one more term reappointment.
Coordinator of the Units of the regional campuses shall be a Professor of the concerned subject. Their duties and functions and terms and conditions of appointment will be similar to that of the Chairman of the department of Studies in the main campus and as prescribed in the status and ordinances of the University.
In order to ensure certain degree of autonomy to the academic units at the regional campuses, the Academic Council has suggested a Committee of Studies which should comprise of all the teachers involved in the teaching of the subjects in the units to decide such academic matters like work allocation and other academic matters specific to the regional campus.
The Academic Council has approved unanimously the amendment/addition in the statutes and ordinances exclusively relating to the establishment of the two regional campuses, one at Malappuram and another at Murshidabad. Appointment of Directors for these regional campuses, its modus operandi, functional powers, etc., and appointment of Coordinators to head the academic units through which the courses will be offered in these regional campuses along with their functions and relationship with the Department of Study located at AMU?s main campus. The Academic Council has also approved the terms and conditions of the Director of the regional centers who will be a whole time salaried officer of the university holding a five-year term and illegible for one more term reappointment.
Coordinator of the Units of the regional campuses shall be a Professor of the concerned subject. Their duties and functions and terms and conditions of appointment will be similar to that of the Chairman of the department of Studies in the main campus and as prescribed in the status and ordinances of the University.
In order to ensure certain degree of autonomy to the academic units at the regional campuses, the Academic Council has suggested a Committee of Studies which should comprise of all the teachers involved in the teaching of the subjects in the units to decide such academic matters like work allocation and other academic matters specific to the regional campus.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
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.
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.
AMU discloses presence of radioactive source on campus
The existence of a radioactive source in the Aligarh Muslim University Physics Department which has not been in use for decades and has been lying locked up in a room has been disclosed by Physics Department chairman Prof. Mohammed Zafar in a letter to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board on Saturday.
The scare triggered by the tracing of radioactive sources to Delhi University’s Department of Chemistry in April prompted Prof. Zafar to write to the AERB. Exposure to the source in Delhi had resulted not only in death, but had also caused a few to be affected.
“This is not the first time we are writing to them. Over ten years back two letters were written to the AERB requesting them to send technical personnel and decide what to do with the material. But no action was taken since we could not furnish any details regarding the origin of the source. The source which is possibly a radium beryllium neutron source may have arrived in the university around 1949. There are no records to verify if the source was bought or given by someone,’ Prof. Zafar said.
The source is currently lying locked in a room in a building of the Physics Department. According to Prof. Zafar, it may have last been used in the 1970s.
Speaking about the degree of danger from exposure to the source, he said: “It depends on the level of exposure and the energy of the source. The source may have low radiation as it was used in laboratory experiments: still we have to check. We do not know how harmful or dangerous this source may be. Hence we have asked for some technical personnel to come to AMU and do the needful.”
“Whenever we need nuclear or atomic material, we usually inform the AERB about our requirements. Similarly, if we are no longer using some radioactive material the AERB is informed,” he added
The scare triggered by the tracing of radioactive sources to Delhi University’s Department of Chemistry in April prompted Prof. Zafar to write to the AERB. Exposure to the source in Delhi had resulted not only in death, but had also caused a few to be affected.
“This is not the first time we are writing to them. Over ten years back two letters were written to the AERB requesting them to send technical personnel and decide what to do with the material. But no action was taken since we could not furnish any details regarding the origin of the source. The source which is possibly a radium beryllium neutron source may have arrived in the university around 1949. There are no records to verify if the source was bought or given by someone,’ Prof. Zafar said.
The source is currently lying locked in a room in a building of the Physics Department. According to Prof. Zafar, it may have last been used in the 1970s.
Speaking about the degree of danger from exposure to the source, he said: “It depends on the level of exposure and the energy of the source. The source may have low radiation as it was used in laboratory experiments: still we have to check. We do not know how harmful or dangerous this source may be. Hence we have asked for some technical personnel to come to AMU and do the needful.”
“Whenever we need nuclear or atomic material, we usually inform the AERB about our requirements. Similarly, if we are no longer using some radioactive material the AERB is informed,” he added
SUMMER VOCATIONS EXTENDED IN AMU
The Vice Chancelleor after a consultative meeting with all the Deans/Pricipals of Faculties/Colleges/Schools has decided to declare the extension of summer vocation in AMU till 17th July.THe AMU will reopen on 19th July.THis decesion has been taken considering the extreme hot weather at Aligarh.
Assam looking for AMU Campus, Educational Meet in Guwahati
A meeting of around sixty prominent educationists and community leaders including MLAs and MP at Hotel Ambarish in Guwahati has decided to organize a National Conference on Minority Educational in Northeast under the aegis of AMU.
The gathering lauded the initiatives taken by the present Vice Chancellor of AMU Prof P K Abdul Azis in repositioning the university as national model for promoting the educational aspirations of the minorities in India. The meeting was convened by the Dhubri MP Maul. Badruddin Ajmal who has also put the proposal to set up an AMU Centre in Assam.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr Mohammad Shabbir, Dean, Faculty of Law and Member-in-Charge, Legal Affairs of the University. Addressing the meeting he said that being a Central University of international repute, AMU intends to establish a strong bond and an enduring academic linkage with minority managed educational institutions and create a networking environment so that the synergy created could be of immense benefit to the Educational Institutions in India. Aligarh Muslim University is thus mandated to carry out extensive work of specified nature all over the country for educational and cultural upliftment of the Muslims.
Eminent scholar Dr Baharul Islam presented a background paper on the initiatives of Prof P.K. Abdul Azis, the present VC of AMU under Sec 5(20(c) of AMU Amendment Act. He stressed the need to rejuvenate the Aligarh Movement initiated by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and to start afresh a new educational revolution in India. The meeting decided to organize a National Conference on ‘Minority Education in Northeast India’ in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University.
Maul. Badruddin Ajmal stressed on the need to hold such conferences to bring in all the stakeholders under one platform and prepare them for a collaborating and affirmative action plan. Educationists form across the region will be invited and it is expected that NGO’s and leaders of minority community will attend the conference. He has assured to co-sponsor the conference by AJMAL Foundation.
The meeting also discussed the need of setting up a Center of AMU in Assam. H R A Chaudhury, a member of the AMU Court from Assam raised the demand to set up one such center in Assam. Maul. Ajmal has written to the Vice Chancellor of AMU as well to the Prime Minister, Minister for HRD and the Chief Minister of Assam to propose a ‘Special’ Center of AMU in Dhubri, one of the most economically backward districts in the country.
The gathering lauded the initiatives taken by the present Vice Chancellor of AMU Prof P K Abdul Azis in repositioning the university as national model for promoting the educational aspirations of the minorities in India. The meeting was convened by the Dhubri MP Maul. Badruddin Ajmal who has also put the proposal to set up an AMU Centre in Assam.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr Mohammad Shabbir, Dean, Faculty of Law and Member-in-Charge, Legal Affairs of the University. Addressing the meeting he said that being a Central University of international repute, AMU intends to establish a strong bond and an enduring academic linkage with minority managed educational institutions and create a networking environment so that the synergy created could be of immense benefit to the Educational Institutions in India. Aligarh Muslim University is thus mandated to carry out extensive work of specified nature all over the country for educational and cultural upliftment of the Muslims.
Eminent scholar Dr Baharul Islam presented a background paper on the initiatives of Prof P.K. Abdul Azis, the present VC of AMU under Sec 5(20(c) of AMU Amendment Act. He stressed the need to rejuvenate the Aligarh Movement initiated by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and to start afresh a new educational revolution in India. The meeting decided to organize a National Conference on ‘Minority Education in Northeast India’ in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University.
Maul. Badruddin Ajmal stressed on the need to hold such conferences to bring in all the stakeholders under one platform and prepare them for a collaborating and affirmative action plan. Educationists form across the region will be invited and it is expected that NGO’s and leaders of minority community will attend the conference. He has assured to co-sponsor the conference by AJMAL Foundation.
The meeting also discussed the need of setting up a Center of AMU in Assam. H R A Chaudhury, a member of the AMU Court from Assam raised the demand to set up one such center in Assam. Maul. Ajmal has written to the Vice Chancellor of AMU as well to the Prime Minister, Minister for HRD and the Chief Minister of Assam to propose a ‘Special’ Center of AMU in Dhubri, one of the most economically backward districts in the country.
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