By Muslim Mirror Special Correspondent,
New Delhi: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) apparantly made no effort to secure a Chair in the name of its founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in the varsity.
In order to enrich the academic resources of the university system for a deeper reflection on critical issues, the University Grants Commission (UGC) formulated the Scheme of Chairs in 2012 in the name of Nobel Laureates and other illustrious persons who have been either Indian citizen or are of an Indian origin.
In this background, the UGC decided to establish a Chair in name of Sir Syed for research in the areas of his outstanding contributions e.g. education, social reform, culture and religion.
The UGC had also planned to establish nine chairs at various central and state universities in different parts of the country.
Though names of universities were not finalized where the chair were supposed to be established.
The other nine Chairs will be established in the name of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (journalism, education, Urdu and Arabic literature and freedom movement) and Dr Zakir Hussain (education and freedom movement) among others.
Talking about these nine Chairs, UGC said, “In order to giving a fillip to research and development, the UGC has made a provision for the establishment of Chairs in different universities. These Chairs are named after illustrious persons who have made significant contribution in their chosen fields.”
The UGC has planned to establish total 31 Chairs of which 16 will be established in Central Universities and 15 in state universities.
Under the scheme four Chairs will be established in Uttar Pradesh, followed by three each in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal.
Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Maharashtra, Meghalaya will get two Chairs each and one Chair each in Bihar, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Jharkhand and Karnataka.
No initiative has been taken by AMU so far to ensure that the university gets proposed Chair in the name of Sir Syed .
When MuslimMirror.com contacted the authorities concerned at the AMU to know what efforts have been made by the university, they expressed ignorance.
It is to be noted that AMU is celebrating bi-centenary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan this year.