By Fazal Shahab, Muslim Mirror,
Lucknow, August 18: The first academic session of newly established Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Urdu, Arabi – Farsi University started with an Orientation program on Friday. The university has been established in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, a north Indian state, by the government with the objective of promoting Urdu, Arabic and Persian languages and their culture.
Though the university has chosen English as preferred medium of instruction, Urdu has been made compulsory as a subject in the first semester of every course, to enable students to read and write Urdu, told vice chancellor Dr. Anis Ansari. Also, some parts of the curriculum in every course shall be taught through Urdu medium, which makes the university unique in its own way.
It has recognised degrees of more than 139 Madrasas (religious seminaries) from across India, for admission to its courses.
Urdu, Arabi-Farsi University has faculties of science, commerce, education, social science, languages, physical education, business administration, computer science etc. and proposes to start a research centre for study of comparative religion and Sufi-ism, resource centre for study of economic and social problems of Urdu speaking communities, training centre for civil services, medical college of Unani pathy and Ayurved, and a digital library of manuscripts.
The orientation program focused on different aspects of academic and administrative system of the University for the benefit the new students. Arvind Singh Gope, Minister, Rural development was the Chief Guest for the program. He advised the students and faculty members to give importance to research and market needs. He emphasized that without research it is difficult to bring in innovation.
The students were delighted to listen to the orientation address of the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Anis Ansari. Addressing the students, he introduced them to the ideology and ethos of the University and shared his vision on taking the University to the level of ‘Ten Best Universities in the country’. He also made the students aware about the University seal and the values that the students must uphold.
Dr. Ansari emphasized on multidisciplinary approach and acknowledged how the entire job market is changing around the world. He also encouraged the students to look at job requisites in the corporate world and mould their quality of learning, conduct and communication skills accordingly, so that there is a market demand for their skills.
Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Urdu, Arabi–Farsi University was established in 2009 by the government. The University has in its offing several infrastructural amenities, including a high tech library. It has constituted Women Grievance Cell and a Student Welfare body consisting of senior professors of the University. Remedial classes for the weaker students are being run to equip them with basic English skills.
The city of Lucknow has recently emerged as an education hub in northern India, however the quality of education suffers and the curriculum in most of the institutions is not in sync with market demands.