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Aligarh Muslim University... Enter to learn, Depart to serve... |
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A.M.U History: A.M.U's Current Status: |
Aligarh Muslim University
was established in 1920 by
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, for
imparting the knowledge to the youth. Modelled on the University of Cambridge, it was among the first institu-tions of higher learning, set up during British occupation. It is a first centrally funded University having several fa- culties & institutions for the higher learning. The University grew out the work of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who, after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, felt that it was important for the muslims, to gain a modern education and become involved in public life and the Government Services in India at that time.Raja Jai Kishan helped Sir Syed a lot in the establishment of this university. The British decisions to replace the use of the knowledge of Persian in the 1830's for Government employment, and as the language of Courts of Law caused deep anxiety among Muslims of the sub-continent. Sir Syed then foresaw, the imperative need for the Muslims to acquire proficiency in the English language and in "Western Sciences" if the community were to maintain its social and the political clout, particularly in the Northern India. He started to prepare the road map for formation of Muslim University by starting various schools. In 1864, the Scientific Society of Aligarh, was set up to disseminate the Western works, into a native languages as a prelude, to prepare the community to accept the "Western Education". Sir Sultan Mahommed Shah, The Aga Khan III has contributed greatly to Aligarh Muslim University in terms collecting funds and providing financial support. In 1875, Sir Syed founded the Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College in Aligarh, and patterned the college after Oxford and Cambridge universities that he had visited on a trip to England. His objective was to build a college in tune with the British education system, but without compromising its Islamic values. It was one of the first purely residential educational institution set up either by the Government or the public in India. Over the years it gave rise to the new educated class of Muslims who were active in the political system of the British Raj, and who would serve as a catalyst for change among not only the Muslim population of India, but of the entire subcontinent. The college was originally affiliated with Calcutta University, and was transferred to the Allahabad University in 1885. Near to turn of the century, it began publishing its own magazine, and also established law school. It was also around this time that a movement began to have it develop into a university to stand on its own. To achieve this goal,many expansions were made with large number of programs also added to the curriculum. A school for girls was established in 1907. By 1921 ( actual year 1920 ), the College was transformed into a university, and it was named Muslim University & its growth continued. The first chancellor of the university was a female, Sultan Shah Jahan Begum.In 1927, school for the blind was also established, and the following year, Medical School was attached to the university & by the end of 1930s, the university had also developed its Engineering faculty.  Aligarh Muslim University is a resid-ential academic institution offering more than 250 courses in modern, traditional branch of education. Currently the University has almost thirty thousand students, & over two thousand of acamedician with over eighty departments. It is continously functioning as an educ- ation institution in India and draws students from number of countries, especially countries in Africa, West Asia and South East Asia. In some courses, seats sre reserved for the students from SAARC, and Commonwealth countries. It hosts one of India's premiere Engineering College, Dr. Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, named after former president of India. The engineering College, as it is generally known was recently offered IIT Status by Ministry of Human Resource development, but later it was decided that it is not possible because of unwillingness of the university to grant it the sovereignty status. Dr Jawed Hussain after whose name United Nations gives a annual prize for young scientist was former Dean.
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|Copyright Shahabkhan 2007|