AMU establishes Centre of Excellence in STEM-ER

ALIGARH April 15: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has established a Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics - Education and Research (STEM-ER) in consonance with the Ohio State University (OSU), US, under the ambitious Indo-US 21^st Century Knowledge Initiative, earlier known as Obama Singh knowledge Initiative and supported by the US-Indo Education Foundation (USIEF). The STEM-ER project aims at training graduate students to become the world class teachers and researchers at the University level.

This Centre will provide sustenance to the Pilot Project, jointly started under the OSU-AMU partnership, which has developed a novel and unique Dual Degree programme, with a graduate degree from AMU and a newly designed two-year masters of education degree with STEM specialization from OSU, with equal emphasis on advanced research and education. With this centre in saddle, the Aligarh Muslim University will become an “Innovation Incubator” for advanced teaching and learning in STEM subjects which will ultimately provide fillip to the local, state, national and international STEM Education outreach.

The broader aim of the project also includes its expansion into an Indo-US STEM-ER Consortium of Indian and US Universities, which will encompass higher education institutions across India.

An AMU-OSU Symposium was held under the supervision of Prof. Anil Pradhan, Director and Prof. Sultana N. Nahar, Associate Director, OSU, with Dr. Craig L. Dicker, Counselor, Cultural Affairs, US Embassy, New Delhi as the chief speaker.

Appreciating the efforts of the people both at AMU and OSU to make this pilot dual degree programme a big success, Dr Dicker said that there is a productive symbiotic relationship between teaching and re­search and our young AMU scholars have embraced this connection in their professional lives.

He said that the AMU scholars, who have spent a semester or two at OSU, already had superlative backgrounds in their fields of specialization, they knew the science and at OSU they were exposed to state of the art teaching methodologies and given opportunities to apply those methods in the undergraduate courses they were teaching at AMU. He said that OSU faculty continued to provide them with mentorship and guidance as they implemented new pedagogical strategies at Aligarh.

Dr Dicker said that this project aims at countering the brain drain by creating a cadre of teacher-researchers at AMU who will continue to work together, feed off each other and break new ground as they develop a world class educational and re­search program at AMU. The creation of the Centre for Excellence in STEM Education and Research at AMU will serve to ensure that the lessons learned through this initiative are shared widely across India and beyond, he added.

He said that the programme includes an outreach component designed to implement programmes in schools in socio-economically dis­advantaged communities and learning opportunities in sciences, technolo­gies, mathematics etc shouldn’t be restricted to those who come from more socio-economically ad­vantaged backgrounds.

Considering the participation of women scholars in the STEM-ER programme on equal terms as a blessing for the project, Dr Dicker said that in most STEM programmes, the majority of students, in the US, India and elsewhere, are men. By engaging female participants as STEM specialists, this project serves as a role model for creating a gender-balanced programme, he added.

Dr Dicker said that there was no magic bullet to address all the challenges faced by Americans and Indians in providing quality STEM education and conducting world-class research. However, this AMU-OSU joint initiative “certainly provides some of the answers”, he added.

A pioneering group of four highly qualified research students in science and engineering at AMU was selected in the first-year batch in 2014. They joined the main campus of OSU in Columbus, Ohio for two semesters for graduate courses in state-of-the-art teaching methodologies and advanced scientific research in their respective STEM disciplines, while retaining their status as AMU PhD students.

During the second year of the programme, the students returned to AMU for field experience in undergraduate teaching, implementing the acquired training in advanced pedagogical techniques, including digital instruction, while continuing the remainder of their doctoral research.

A second batch of four AMU students has also been supported in 2016 by the USIEF grant for one semester of research in respective STEM disciplines under the supervision of OSU faculty advisers.

 ___________________________________________________________

AMU concludes two-day National Workshop on Urdu Translations of Dr B R Ambedkar’s Writings

Aligarh, April 15: The two-day National Workshop on Urdu Translations of Dr B R Ambedkar’s Writings recently concluded at the Conference Room, Faculty of Social Sciences with a Valedictory Function.

During the presidential remarks, Professor Seemin Hassan, Chairperson, Department of English mentioned that translation is an inherent ability of Indians as the Country is multilingual; which makes translation, an indispensible need of our daily lives.

Meanwhile, mentioning the hard work of the team members of the Translation Project provided by Dr B R Ambedkar Foundation, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India; Professor Hassan congratulated Professor Mohd Asim Siddiqui, the Managing Editor of the Project.   

Dr Suhail A Farooqui commented on the proceedings of the workshop and gave valuable suggestions to the translators on the lexical and semantic nuances involved in translating works of Dr B R Ambedkar.

Professor Mohd Asim Siddiqui thanked the audience and the translators for their presence and perseverance. Professor Rashid Nehal, Director AMU Campus Kishanganj Centre and other faculty members of Department of English were also present on the occasion. During the programme, certificates were distributed to the participants of the Workshop.  

Mr Peer Mohd Ashraf, research scholar associated with the University’s Department of English proposed the vote of thanks.

______________________________________________________________ 

Murshidabad Centre, AMU organises seven-day workshop

Aligarh, April 15: The Murshidabad Centre of Aligarh Muslim University recently inaugurated a seven-day workshop in association with SNAP Academy, Kolkata aimed at building a pool of active and statistically savvy social scientists with confidence of dealing with large statistical data. 

Attended by over 40 scholars and researchers from all over the country, the workshop included Dr Zakaria Siddiqui from Australian National University, Dr Saijuddin Shaikh from John Hopkins University and Dr Badaruddoza, Director AMU Murshidabad Centre as the resource persons.

During the inaugural function of the workshop, Dr Siddiqui and Dr Shaikh explained the importance of STATA to the participants; while Mr Sabir Ahmed, SNAP Academy presented an overview of the Academy and its objectives.

Delivering the welcome speech, Dr Badaruddoza, said that in today’s scenario, it is very pertinent for all the researchers to come up with quality researches. He added that the competition in academic environments is increasing with the passage of time.

Dr Syed Atif Jilani conducted the inaugural function. Mr Md Anwar proposed the vote of thanks.

_______________________________________________

Dept of Paediatrics Surgery, JNMC organises IVth Annual Conference of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand Chapter of IAPS 2017

Aligarh, April 15: The Department of Paediatrics Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University today organised the IVth Annual Conference of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand Chapter of IAPS 2017 at the JNMC auditorium.

Inaugurating the Conference Padma Shri Professor S Chooramani Gopal (Emeritus Professor) and Ex-Vice Chancellor, KGMU, Lucknow said that since birth defects can be controlled on through prevention, the necessary training of paediatric surgeons is of utmost importance.  

She further said if women are given proper doses of folic acids before at least six months of conceiving, it becomes easier to control birth defects. “It is important to have presence of paediatric surgeons in all hospitals across the country to control infant mortality,” added Professor Gopal. 

Padma Shri Professor S N Kureel, President, IAPS pointed out that in Uttar Pradesh more than one million children are born with birth defects. “The situation is evident of a greater need of super specialized services of paediatric surgeons with growing requirement of more teaching, training and research centres in paediatric surgery,” he added. 

Professor Kureel further pointed out that the Annual Conference will provide a milestone platform for exchange of knowledge and discussion on the concerned topic.

Meanwhile, Professor M Amanullah Khan, Dean, Faculty of Medicine said that the Conference will have deliberations on the present and future developments by the experts.

 “It is hoped that with this Conference, participants and delegates will utilize the academic feast and learn about the surgical needs of infants and children,” added Professor Khan.

Professor Tariq Mansoor, Principal and CMS, JNMC talked about the infant mortality rate of 53 per 1000 live births in Uttar Pradesh. Adding that the infant mortality rate and the morbidity accounted for by congenital anomalies amenable to surgical correction, it is of utmost importance to understand the pivotal role, paediatric surgeons have to play.

Professor R S Chana, Chairperson, Department of Paediatric Surgery and the Organising Secretary of the Conference said that the Conference, besides providing an opportunity to the medical fraternity in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand to interact with each other, will be beneficial to practising paediatric surgeons as well as trainees.

Dr Ravi Kale, Vice President, Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand Chapter of IAPS Chapter and Professor Rajesh Gupta also gave deliberations during the Conference.

Dr Rizwan Ahmad Khan proposed the vote of thanks and Dr Nafis Ahmad Faizi conducted the programme. Around 150 delegates from various parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Delhi participated in the Conference.

 ___________________________________________________________

Sir Syed Bicentenary Committee with Sahitya Academy organises two-day National Seminar on Sir Syed 

Aligarh, April 15: The Sir Syed Bicentenary Committee, Aligarh Muslim University in collaboration with the National Academy of Letters, Sahitya Academy recently organised a two-day National Seminar on Sir Syed at the Arts Faculty Lounge.

Allahabad University Vice Chancellor, Professor R L Hangloo inaugurated the programme, while Professor Farhatullah Khan (Prof Emeritus) presided over the function.

During the inaugural function, Professor Hangloo said that the notion on Sir Syed being pro colonial is wrong as he never supported the British rule. He added that Sir Syed wanted to bring forth a cultural and education revolution for which he promoted English language.

 

Professor Hangloo further said that Sir Syed was a patriot, who was committed to the welfare of people. “Sire Syed made the British government in India think about social, cultural, educational and economic upliftment of common Indians,” added. Professor Hangloo. 

He added that while we celebrate Sir Syed’s Bicentenary, it is high time to ponder upon why we have not been able to produce people, who would walk on Sir Syed’s footsteps for the betterment of society.

“Today, when the world stands on the edge of clashes between civilizations, it is important that we implement thoughts of Sir Syed in real life to bring progress and harmony,” further said Prof Hangloo.

Noted critic, Professor M Shafey Kidwai during the welcome address said that it is high time to revisit Sir Syed’s works for taking his mission of education forward in new directions in the contemporary world.

“Considering the strife, which is present in today’s world, Sir Syed’s thoughts and ideas become even more important to bring resolutions for progress and betterment of society,” said Professor Kidwai.  

Mr Chander Bhan Khayal, Convener, Urdu Advisory Board, Sahitya Academy delivered the welcome address. He said that the Sahitya Academy stands proud for organising this programme on Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in collaboration with AMU. Recollecting facts from history, Mr Khayal pointed out that Sir Syed lived in a period, which saw the 1857 war of Independence and had intellectuals like Mirza Ghalib and Rabindranath Tagore.     

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Asghar Abbas said that Sir Syed lived at a time, when there were thinkers like Karl Marx in Europe. “Both Sir Syed and Karl Marx reformed the societies, they lived in.

During the presidential remarks, Professor Farhatullah Khan emphasised that to maintain secularism and tolerance, it is necessary to work on Sir Syed’s thoughts in today’s world.   

Professor Maula Baksh conducted the programme, while Mr Ajay Kumar Sharma, Assistant Editor, Sahitya Academy proposed the vote of thanks.

The programme also had the book releases of Professor M Shafey Kidwai’s, ‘Swaneh Syed: Ek Baaz Deed’; Mr Kaif Farshori’s ‘Bahar-e-Dostan Shora’; Mr Asad Faisal Farouqi’s ‘Aligarh Ki Urdu Sahafat’ and special issue of Sir Syed’s Tehzeeb-ul-Akhlaq edited Professor Sagheer Afraheem.

_____________________________________________________ 

AMU Vice Chancellor and Mr Husain lay Mohammad Husain Boarding House foundation in ST School  

Aligarh, April 15: The Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (Veteran) with Mr Mohammad Nadeem Husain, CEO Morque Impex, Moradabad today laid the foundation of Mohammad Husain Boarding House at the STS School. The boarding house will accommodate 228 students once completed.

Speaking on the occasion, General Shah said that hostel life trains students for their future. He added that students living in boarding not only bring in discipline among them, but they also make themselves capable of facing all kinds of challenges.

The Vice Chancellor also pointed out that it is important to dream big and the AMU community should keep on working with enthusiasm to make AMU reach the number one spot in university rankings. “I am hopeful that the new Vice Chancellor and his administration will make AMU number one in the university rankings,” added Gen Shah.

Talking about the perceptions on AMU, Gen Shah said that there is no need to lose heart on the recently released university rankings as AMU has one the best researches and ongoing projects among Indian universities and soon the dream to become number one will be realised.

Pointing out to the contribution of Mr Husain, General Shah said that people like Mr Husain and Dr Frank Islam are true philanthropists and their contributions to AMU are invaluable. He also pointed out that Mr Husain and Dr Islam are pivotal in AMU’s development drive.

Meanwhile, Mr Husain said that it is an honour for him to be able to contribute for his Alma Mater. He further said that that he is thankful to the Vice Chancellor and the AMU Administration for all the necessary support.

Mr Husain urged the STS School students to work hard in their studies and bring laurels to this institution. During his address, Mr Husain also promised that his services will always be available for AMU.

Professor Mohammad Gulrez, Director, Directorate of School Education delivered the welcome address. He said that this new hostel will be full of facilities required for excellence in studies and other extra-curricular activities.

Prof Gulrez added that the initiatives on development and education taken by the present administration will bring the best for the present and the future generations of students.  

    

Professor Abid Ali khan, Deputy Director, Directorate of School Education proposed the vote of thanks. Ms Syeda Fatima Hashmi conducted the programme.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, Mr. Faisal Nafees, Principal, STS School said that this philanthropic initiative by Mr. Nadeem Hussain will make a historic venture by a school alumnus.

Mrs Sabiha Semi Shah, Professor Abu Qamar Siddiqui, Professor Yusufuzzam Khan, Professor Afsar Ali Khan, Professor Parvez Qamar Rizvi, Mrs Firdaus Rahman, Mr Abdul Jabbar, Mr Suhail Alvi and Mr Syed Atiq ur Rahim were also present on the occasion.

 _____________________________________________________________

Interdisciplinary Department of Remote Sensing and GIS Applications students qualify for top exams and Govt services

Aligarh, April 17: Bringing laurels to their Alma Mater, Aligarh Muslim University’s Interdisciplinary Department of Remote Sensing and GIS Applications students have qualified top-notch Government services and academic exams.

While Mr Azhan Ahmad qualified the GATE Exam with 94.3 percentile, Mr Amit Kumar has been selected in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the post of Sub-Inspector cryptographer. Ms Aiman Khan has been selected to work with BSES Rajhdhani Power Ltd, New Delhi in Remote Sensing and GIS Division and Ms Nargis Shabnam has been shortlisted to work as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) at Jharkhand Space Applications Centre, Department of Information Technology and e-Governance, Government of Jharkhand, Dhurwa, Ranchi.   

Congratulating the students, Professor Abdul Munir, Dean, Faculty of Science and Chairperson, Interdisciplinary Department of Remote Sensing and GIS Applications said that the success of these students is a testimony of their hard work and dedication. He further said that the Department will continue to provide students with facilities to excel in their career.

__________________________________________________________

Dr Kharade to deliver lecture in China

Aligarh, April 17: Dr Pankaj Kharade associated with the Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Material, Dr Z A Dental College, Aligarh Muslim University has been invited to deliver a lecture during the International Orthopaedic Forum to be held in China.

In the Forum Dr Kharade will demonstrate his recently published Cranioplasty Technique, which has been published by an American journal with highest impact factor.

Dr Kharade is also an editorial board member with a Prosthetics and Orthotics Journal published in the United States of America.

___________________________________________________________________

Prof Ferasat appointed Chairperson

Aligarh, April 17: Professor Ferasat Ali has been appointed as Chairperson, Department of Kulliyat, Faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University in place of Prof Khalid Zaman Khan for a period of three years with immediate effect.

___________________________________________________

Prof. Abdurraheem K is new VP of ICOM

ALIGARH April 17: Prof. Abdurraheem K, Chairman, Department of Museology, Aligarh Muslim University has been elected as Vice-President of the National Committee for the International Council of Museum (ICOM) in its meeting held at Indian Museum, Kolkata, the oldest and most popular museums in India.

The election was held under the Presidentship of ICOM Chairman Dr. Vinod Daniel from Australia and Dr. G. Rautela, Former Director General of Science Museums.

The ICOM, under the patronship of UNESCO, promotes awareness and training programmes for the conservation of Cultural Heritage in about 180 member countries all over the World.

Besides holding various positions at several organizations including General Secretary of International Council for Conservation of Cultural Property, Prof. Raheem is an Advisor and Expert Committee member of Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi, Advisor, National Museum of Natural History, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change and Member of the Expert Committee of National Research Laboratory for Conservation, Lucknow etc.

_______________________________________________________ 

Workshop held on Interest Aptitude Screening Teast

ALIGARH April 17: The Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University organized a Two-day Workshop on "Interest Aptitude Screening Test and Parenting Programme” for research scholars of the University.

Prof. R.K. Gunthey, Head, Department of Psychology, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, along with his four member team, facilitated the programme.

Delivering a talk, Prof. Gunthey provided details of a number of programmes which help students of age group of 14 to 22 years to identify their interest and aptitude. He said if interest and aptitude is scientifically determined, then it will be easy and beneficial to choose the academic line and a good career. A substantial number of students lack interest in their field of education, which causes a mismatch between aptitude and interest.

Earlier, Prof. Shamim A. Ansari, Programme Coordinator and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences introduced Prof. R. K. Gunthey and his team. Prof. (Hafiz) M. lIyas Khan, Chairman, Department of Psychology welcomed the guest and participants.

The parents were also provided with tips on helping their children to overcome shyness, lack of confidence, lack of motivation, time management, communication power etc. An informative programme, “Matrutav", established chord with the parents and would-be-parents.

Prof. Shamim A. Ansari gave away certificates to participants while Prof. (Hafiz) M. Ilyas Khan proposed a vote of thanks.

 ________________________________________________

Prof Faizan Mustafa delivers lecture on ‘Freedom of Religion and Solidarity’

Aligarh, April 17: Professor Faizan Mustafa, Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad today delivered a special talk on the topic, ‘Freedom of Religion and Solidarity’ during the Valedictory Function of All India Sir Syed Memorial Debate 2017 organised by Aligarh Muslim University Students Union (AMUSU) and University Debating and Literary Club at the Assembly Hall, University Polytechnic (Boys).

During the lecture, Professor Mustafa pointed out that a country cannot be secular without giving equal right to minorities and without making minorities live without fear.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Prof Mustafa said that Gandhiji was convinced that genuine religion and its practice leads to solidarity within different communities living in a country.

Commenting on the policies of economic development, Prof Mustafa further said that if a country’s human development index is poor, then all the ideas of economic development and progress become irrelevant. He also pointed out that countries in the contemporary world have now started measuring their happiness-index.

Talking on the issue of Triple Talaq (Divorce), Prof Mustafa pointed out that banning triple divorce by the Supreme Court is misplaced, as ‘banning’ would invariably mean ‘prohibiting’ some conduct generally through the instrumentality of ‘criminal law’. “Judiciary cannot create new crimes. We need an Act of Parliament to make an act criminal. If government is interested in reforms, it can bring in a law, but will it work?”, asked Prof Mustafa during the lecture.  

He further said that religion is the substance to any culture and if religion is taken away from society, there will be a down fall in moral and social values too. “Indians are religious people and they live under the jurisdiction of various faiths they follow, which makes them honest and law abiding citizens as well,” said Prof Mustafa.

Applauding people protesting against President Donald Trump’s ban on immigration to United States from certain Muslim countries, Professor Mustafa said that other countries should learn from Americans, who were streets to protect rights of the religious and ethnic minorities living in the United States.

He further said that even in India, secularism has sustained not because of religious minorities, but because of the liberal people from the majority Hindu community, who have always protested suppression of religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities.

Prof Mustafa also emphasised that religion has huge contribution in structures of societies and cultures as it provides checks and balances in the behaviour of people. “A God fearing man, will abstain from committing sins while abiding with existing laws in the country,” said Prof Mustafa adding that however, there are people, who kill in the name of religion because there is a decline in spirituality and increase in religiosity.   

After the lecture, Prof Mustafa was joined by Dr Mohibul Haq, Associate Prof, Department of Political Science; Mr Omar S Peerzada, AMU Public Relations Officer and Mr Faizul Hasan, President AMUSU for the distribution of prizes to the winners of the Sir Syed Memorial Debate 2017. Prof Mustafa was also felicitated on the occasion. 

Jamia Millia Islamia team won the Urdu debate competition with Mr Mohd Danish as the best speaker. Teams of Mohd Ali Johar University and Jamia Hamdard won the second and third prizes respectively. 

A team of Jamia Millia Islamia also won the English debate competition with Mr Siraj Ali from the Chandigarh University bagging the best speaker award. Law College Dehradun and Lovely Professional University were placed second and third.

Lovely Professional University’s debate team won the Hindi debate competition with Ashotosh Joshi from the S R College, Dehradun bagging the best speaker award. Teams of Jamia Millia and RBS College, Agra were placed second and third.  

Professor Mairaj Ahmad, Mr Asif Akhlaq anfd Mr Wjahat Jilani conducted the programme, while Mr Faizul Hasan proposed the vote of thanks.

____________________________________________________________ 

Centre of Cardiology to organise Pacemaker Interrogation Camp

Aligarh, April 17: The Centre of Cardiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University will organise a Pacemaker Interrogation Camp on April 19, 2017 from 9:00 am onwards at JNMC’s OPD no 23.

Professor Asif Hasan, Director, Centre of Cardiology said that the patients with pacemakers can come with their documents and records during the camp for detailed pacemaker interrogation. Meanwhile, Prof Hasan also confirmed that the Centre of Cardiology also plans to start Implantable Intra Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) inpatients of heart failure.

News Desk

Public Relations Office

Aligarh Muslim University