By Dr. S. Mohammad Fayez
Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) has significantly influenced the educational landscape of India over the last two decades. The institution’s overarching objective extends beyond the mere provision of quality education in Urdu, encompassing a broader vision acknowledged nationally. Within the societal fabric of India, there exists a demography characterized by socio-economic, educational, and cultural marginalization. The University is committed to focus on this disparity, aiming to integrate these marginalized segments into the mainstream so that they also contribute to the nation’s development. Indeed, the pedagogical approach adopted by the institution, coupled with its emphasis on Urdu, has illuminated pathways for the instruction of diverse subjects in vernacular languages, thereby fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the realm of education.
Maulana Azad National Urdu University, established in 1998 through a Parliamentary Act has its jurisdiction across the length and width of the country. Presently, it oversees eighteen centres and satellite campuses operating actively across eleven states in the country. While its initial educational initiatives started with distance learning programs, the institution soon augmented its offerings to include conventional on-site regular academic programs, thereby strengthening its educational framework. Over the last two decades, it has emerged as a pivotal hub for learners hailing from Urdu medium backgrounds. The foundational principles outlined in the MANUU Act sets the following four core objectives for the University.
1. Facilitating the advancement and propagation of the Urdu language.
2. Offering instruction and vocational training in specialized technical disciplines in Urdu medium.
3. Expanding avenues for higher education and vocational training in Urdu medium, utilizing both conventional pedagogical methods and distance learning to enhance accessibility.
4. Prioritizing the educational empowerment of women through focused initiatives and programs.
In pursuit of these objectives, the University has pledged to undertake various initiatives, among which is the enhancement of the standard of living of numerous underprivileged individuals by producing skilled professionals poised to push ahead the national economy’s growth trajectory. Maulana Azad National Urdu University has undertaken the specific mission of making available educational opportunities to economically disadvantaged and marginalized segments of society, particularly women residing in remote regions of the nation. The University has garnered recognition for its diverse program offerings, designed to enable students from madrasas to showcase their academic prowess in the spheres of higher education. The recent modifications present a departure from mere verbal assertions towards tangible implementation of the university’s vision and mission into action. Notably, the revision in the university’s fee structure represents a concrete effort to enhance accessibility to higher education by mitigating the financial barriers.
An example of this initiative is the reduction of tuition fees for female students across all academic programs. Despite maintaining a reasonable fee structure, female students taking admission in MANUU benefit significantly by the low tuition fee of less than one thousand in the first semester in the PG programs, indicating the institution’s commitment to facilitate education of women.
To meet its visionary mission, the university has established satellite campuses in geographical locales like Kashmir and Lucknow, which no doubt supplement the main campus of the university in Hyderabad. This geographical diversification enhances educational accessibility, enabling students from diverse regions nationwide to pursue BA, MA and research programs in varied disciplines.
Numerous Colleges of Teacher Education have been established across various locations including Srinagar, Darbhanga, Bhopal, Asansol, Sambhal, Aurangabad, Noah, and Bidar. The significance of these establishments is underscored by recent teacher recruitment initiatives conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission, wherein a substantial number of selected candidates were from various centres affiliated with Maulana Azad National Urdu University. Additionally, an Arts and Science College for Women has been established in Budgam (Srinagar, Kashmir), highlighting a concerted focus on advancing female education.
In 2009, a satellite campus of the University was established in Lucknow, where BA, MA and research programs in various disciplines such as Urdu, English, Arabic, and Persian are offered. Given the mandatory inclusion of computer education in both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula, the campus is equipped with a modern computer laboratory that witnesses extensive utilization by students. Notably, this campus holds significant importance in the realms of language and literature, attracting esteemed figures from academia and literary circles who frequently visit to deliver lectures and participate in academic and literary events. Various initiatives aimed at fostering awareness are implemented, including the organization of cultural and educational programs at regular intervals throughout the academic year.
Maulana Azad National Urdu University has eight schools (School of Languages Linguistics & Indology, School of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Education and Training, School of Commerce and Business Management, School of Mass Communication & Journalism, School of Sciences, School of Technology, School of Law) under which there are eighteen departments. Apart from this, there are centres for Deccan Studies, Urdu Culture and Professional Development for Urdu Medium teachers wherein 17 Graduation, 27 PG Diploma and Certificate courses are offered. Apart from these, there are eight diploma and certificate courses offered by the University’s Polytechnic and IITs.
In addition to its endeavours in the field of higher education, the university has instituted three model schools with the aim of acquainting the younger generations with Urdu, affording them the opportunity to receive instruction in their native language, hence advancing its overarching mission. Situated in Hyderabad, Nuh, and Darbhanga, the establishment of these schools strive to recognize the potential of children to access high-quality education through the medium of Urdu.
Professor Syed Ainul Hasan, the Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, espouses the conviction that comprehensive social development can be attained through the medium of Urdu education. Under his leadership, the university is poised to assert its rightful place by advancing its mission and objectives. Furthermore, Professor Hasan presses on the active engagement of eminent scholars from both national and international spheres in various academic and research initiatives spearheaded by the university.
Admissions for various educational programs at Maulana Azad National Urdu University are presently open. The deadline for submission of admission forms for the PhD program is 20th May 2024, while for postgraduate courses online applications for admission will be accepted till 30th June 2024. It is important to emphasize that the entire admission process at MANUU is conducted solely through online channels. For selected postgraduate programs and research programs, the examination centres for entrance test are set up in a number of cities nationwide, enabling candidates to choose a centre that suits their convenience.
The university is named after first Education Minister of independent India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who is highly esteemed for his intellect and significant contributions to India’s intellectual development. Maulana Azad University has been at the forefront of education for the past twenty-five years. Over the past two decades, the university has established itself as a premier educational institution in India, excelling in both traditional classroom teaching and distance learning programs. This university not only provides regular classes but also offers opportunities for students to learn remotely from distant locations. Notably, in the realm of distance education, it stands as a preeminent institution second only to IGNOU. The university’s outreach extends to a huge number of students, reaffirming its profound impact on educational dissemination. The myriad accolades and accomplishments of MANUU continue to attract students across the country, and it is strongly expected that the university will remain a top educational option for the students in the country in the years to come.
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Department of English MANUU, Lucknow Campus.