Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is passing through the great challenging phase of its history. For the entire Muslim community of this continent, it is quite challenging to tune up the famous Oxford of the east which was one time excelling in imparting the advancing educational and cultural requirements of the community in particular and the country in general. AMU had always been the torch bearer of the society even during the horrible days of independence movement accompanied by several communal disturbances. Since over the past two decades, there had been emergence of new areas of professionalism in academic world, but AMU could not cope up with situation arisen due to global competitiveness in modern academic and professional streams. It is therefore, high time to introspect for such a vital issue as it has already lost a lot of talent in shaping the proper destiny of talented modern youths.
Although, significant achievements had been done in respect of normal functioning of the university by the consistent efforts of University authorities (with the cooperation of the State as well as the Union Government) which has resulted in a well planned time framed routine Admission and Examination process, completion of examination results and the convocation etc. The residential strength of the students and related infrastructure had been tremendously increased in the past few years. Also, a few new valuable streams had been added to the existing departments and faculties, but the quality and potential of the academics has taken backbench in respect of comparatively poor output and marketability of the students. Still highly sought streams like Microbiology, Biotechnology, Fashion designing/technology, Information Technology, Molecular Biology etc are still missing as the full fledged departments. It is quite amazing to express the harsh reality that our pass outs are hardly securing significant positions in the All India competitions like UPSC exams for Civil Services, Engineering Services, Medical Services, Forest Services, Defence Services etc including the very insignificant performance in National level Scholarship tests conducted by UGC & CSIR. Also, the mobilization for campus recruitment of pass out students of Engineering, Business Management, Tourism management is also lacking for the better career security and future prospects. The concerned faculty members and the top University authorities should aim seriously in this regard. Thus, once student enters into a stream, it must be heartfelt & painful concern of the faculty members and University authorities to fully ensure the academic and career concern of the promising students. Otherwise, there will be a chaos in large section of the students as well as bad name to the institution and overall betrayal to the students’ poor parents who send them here with lot of expectations.
The mushrooming of tea stalls and roadside dhahwas attract a large number of students to waste their time just sitting aimlessly for lengthy period of times. The university administration should device some norms/restrictions such that students may utilize their maximum time in studying and keeping involved in futuristic career prospects by means of interactive meets both in the Department and in the hostel other than just the routine curriculum activities. The efficient and well managed/guided career guidance is quite necessary for every stream for which talented professionals are needed.
It has been noticed that even the Research fellowship examinations conducted by U.G.C. & C.S.I.R. had become the nightmare for most of the bright students of so many departments. This has resulted into decimal intake of Research pursuits. Such sign clearly suggests the downfall of academic standard, which has given a shameful name amongst the elite Universities, which was not the case two decades ago.
This is the right time for taking a few hard steps in order to bring back the past glory and to stand firmly with pride amongst the top most prestigious institutions of higher learning. Since very little has to be done for the administrative matters, the important segment remains that of attaining academic excellence. For any academic centre and institution of advanced learning, it is required to stand ahead in the academic output & matching the requirement of job industry. Such key issue involves: 1) Upgrading the syllabi (in all streams) as of global competitiveness, and 2) Employing the most talented and better result oriented faculty.
Syllabus upgrading and updating has to be an important & continuous process wherein expert group for each subject and stream has to be made responsible by studying and incorporating the latest syllabus being adopted by the world class institutions. Hence it requires rigorous exercise which has now become easier due to invent of internet service. The syllabus has to be framed in a very careful manner such that our students should not suffer due to the latest developments (in a particular subject or stream) while they go to pursue further advanced studies or during the employment. Once syllabi match the objectives of bodies like U.P.S.C., U.G.C, C.S.I.R. etc, then only students will be able to perform better for key positions. To begin with, it will be wise to match our syllabi with that of premier Indian Institutions like: I.I.Ts., I.I.Ms., I.I.Sc. Bangalore, J.N.U. etc.
Faculty is the backbone of an institution, better the talent and virtue, finer will be the output. Hence it is the first and foremost duty of the Government machinery and the University authorities to deploy the highly talented academicians and professionals to carry out the most delicate and important role of the society as the better teacher gives better citizen and so a better nation. Since in all religious scriptures, teachers had always been highly regarded due to their matchless responsible position. Even during these days also, teachers are highly paid monetarily in regards to their working time slot.
The University authorities and the Ministry of HRD, Government of India should develop a device through which only the best and befitting talent must be engaged for such highly responsible job. The fresh products of the same institution (AMU) should not be immediately offered faculty positions (irrespective of their outstanding academic performance) unless they are so much capable they should first earn the experience at coveted institutions elsewhere. This trend is being strictly followed in elite institutions like I.I.T., I.I.M. etc. There should be provision for time framed contractual positions (with lucrative benefits) for the extraordinary scholars working abroad in the well reputed institutions/universities. Faculty recruitment advertisements should always be global through international journals and e mailing. The substandard older faculty members may better be engaged in administrative and peripheral works. Another harsh measure is to trim the surplus & useless faculty members by some meticulous device in phased manner.
As in the Industry, there is thrust on establishment & functioning of the important unit namely: Research & Development (R. & D.), similarly there must be similar establishment in such a vast and prestigious institution: namely the Registrar Academic to look after the quality up gradation and compatibility amongst various disciplines so as to match world class institutions like London School of Economics (L.S.E.), Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge etc. including the reputed Indian Institutions like I.I.Ts., I.I.Ms. etc. Such establishment should function as watchdog on the quality & innovation of the academic excellence without any sort of compromise. In other words, the strategy of such wing must be to function as the R. & D. unit. Hence, top priority should be given to this important unit for which proven talented person on purely contractual basis should be deputed on attractive package and the team members dedicated for the most important cause of bringing academic excellence.
In order to establish such unit, detailed studies of institutions like I.I.Ts., I.I.Ms,
I.I.Sc. etc may be carried out. The key functions of this unit will be to update and improve syllabi, teaching methodology, commitment and concern of the faculty members for the overall academic wellbeing of students through interactive sessions with outside institutions, nodal agencies, industry and the Government run Scientific and other academic bodies. The syllabi should be tuned up of job oriented and of market ready profile. Emphasis should be given to invite national and international fame scholars and activists (of various disciplines) for delivering thought provoking key addresses for stimulating the faculty and students together. To maintain high standard and dignity of the University, attempt should be made to invite Nobel Laureate for the key functions like Convocation (instead of political personality). Frequency of arranging national/international level conferences/symposia should be increased for wider academic interactions. Industry sponsored researches should be encouraged through upgraded Research Centers at the pattern of C.S.I.R. & I.I.Ts. etc.
Although, sufficient infrastructure development works had been carried out in the recent past, but there is always scope for strengthening facilities and creation of new establishments which require enormous funds. A.M.U. being comparatively old institution have produced large number of alumni who has excelled and earned reputation all over the globe in various fields. This is high time to establish a centre for coordinating to these elite and generous personalities to contribute for the ongoing efforts in this regard. For instance, I.I.T. Kharagpur through such unit called Technology Foundation Centre has attracted huge funds through its alumni which could bring out new Departments & Centers like Vinod Gupta School of Management, G. S. Sanyal School of Telecommunications and the newly started Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law. Such efforts can be carried out here also with better expectations. Above all, we require serious introspection and a firm commitment to revolutionize the whole set up with sincere and honest zeal without compromising all sorts of personal interests for the only cause of Academic excellence.
Views by: Akmal Husain M.Sc, M.Phil (Alig) Cell No 09434939702
Sr Scientist & Officer-in-Charge, Marine Aquarium & Research Centre
Zoological Survey of India (Ministry of Environment), Digha (W.B.)
Although, significant achievements had been done in respect of normal functioning of the university by the consistent efforts of University authorities (with the cooperation of the State as well as the Union Government) which has resulted in a well planned time framed routine Admission and Examination process, completion of examination results and the convocation etc. The residential strength of the students and related infrastructure had been tremendously increased in the past few years. Also, a few new valuable streams had been added to the existing departments and faculties, but the quality and potential of the academics has taken backbench in respect of comparatively poor output and marketability of the students. Still highly sought streams like Microbiology, Biotechnology, Fashion designing/technology, Information Technology, Molecular Biology etc are still missing as the full fledged departments. It is quite amazing to express the harsh reality that our pass outs are hardly securing significant positions in the All India competitions like UPSC exams for Civil Services, Engineering Services, Medical Services, Forest Services, Defence Services etc including the very insignificant performance in National level Scholarship tests conducted by UGC & CSIR. Also, the mobilization for campus recruitment of pass out students of Engineering, Business Management, Tourism management is also lacking for the better career security and future prospects. The concerned faculty members and the top University authorities should aim seriously in this regard. Thus, once student enters into a stream, it must be heartfelt & painful concern of the faculty members and University authorities to fully ensure the academic and career concern of the promising students. Otherwise, there will be a chaos in large section of the students as well as bad name to the institution and overall betrayal to the students’ poor parents who send them here with lot of expectations.
The mushrooming of tea stalls and roadside dhahwas attract a large number of students to waste their time just sitting aimlessly for lengthy period of times. The university administration should device some norms/restrictions such that students may utilize their maximum time in studying and keeping involved in futuristic career prospects by means of interactive meets both in the Department and in the hostel other than just the routine curriculum activities. The efficient and well managed/guided career guidance is quite necessary for every stream for which talented professionals are needed.
It has been noticed that even the Research fellowship examinations conducted by U.G.C. & C.S.I.R. had become the nightmare for most of the bright students of so many departments. This has resulted into decimal intake of Research pursuits. Such sign clearly suggests the downfall of academic standard, which has given a shameful name amongst the elite Universities, which was not the case two decades ago.
This is the right time for taking a few hard steps in order to bring back the past glory and to stand firmly with pride amongst the top most prestigious institutions of higher learning. Since very little has to be done for the administrative matters, the important segment remains that of attaining academic excellence. For any academic centre and institution of advanced learning, it is required to stand ahead in the academic output & matching the requirement of job industry. Such key issue involves: 1) Upgrading the syllabi (in all streams) as of global competitiveness, and 2) Employing the most talented and better result oriented faculty.
Syllabus upgrading and updating has to be an important & continuous process wherein expert group for each subject and stream has to be made responsible by studying and incorporating the latest syllabus being adopted by the world class institutions. Hence it requires rigorous exercise which has now become easier due to invent of internet service. The syllabus has to be framed in a very careful manner such that our students should not suffer due to the latest developments (in a particular subject or stream) while they go to pursue further advanced studies or during the employment. Once syllabi match the objectives of bodies like U.P.S.C., U.G.C, C.S.I.R. etc, then only students will be able to perform better for key positions. To begin with, it will be wise to match our syllabi with that of premier Indian Institutions like: I.I.Ts., I.I.Ms., I.I.Sc. Bangalore, J.N.U. etc.
Faculty is the backbone of an institution, better the talent and virtue, finer will be the output. Hence it is the first and foremost duty of the Government machinery and the University authorities to deploy the highly talented academicians and professionals to carry out the most delicate and important role of the society as the better teacher gives better citizen and so a better nation. Since in all religious scriptures, teachers had always been highly regarded due to their matchless responsible position. Even during these days also, teachers are highly paid monetarily in regards to their working time slot.
The University authorities and the Ministry of HRD, Government of India should develop a device through which only the best and befitting talent must be engaged for such highly responsible job. The fresh products of the same institution (AMU) should not be immediately offered faculty positions (irrespective of their outstanding academic performance) unless they are so much capable they should first earn the experience at coveted institutions elsewhere. This trend is being strictly followed in elite institutions like I.I.T., I.I.M. etc. There should be provision for time framed contractual positions (with lucrative benefits) for the extraordinary scholars working abroad in the well reputed institutions/universities. Faculty recruitment advertisements should always be global through international journals and e mailing. The substandard older faculty members may better be engaged in administrative and peripheral works. Another harsh measure is to trim the surplus & useless faculty members by some meticulous device in phased manner.
As in the Industry, there is thrust on establishment & functioning of the important unit namely: Research & Development (R. & D.), similarly there must be similar establishment in such a vast and prestigious institution: namely the Registrar Academic to look after the quality up gradation and compatibility amongst various disciplines so as to match world class institutions like London School of Economics (L.S.E.), Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge etc. including the reputed Indian Institutions like I.I.Ts., I.I.Ms. etc. Such establishment should function as watchdog on the quality & innovation of the academic excellence without any sort of compromise. In other words, the strategy of such wing must be to function as the R. & D. unit. Hence, top priority should be given to this important unit for which proven talented person on purely contractual basis should be deputed on attractive package and the team members dedicated for the most important cause of bringing academic excellence.
In order to establish such unit, detailed studies of institutions like I.I.Ts., I.I.Ms,
I.I.Sc. etc may be carried out. The key functions of this unit will be to update and improve syllabi, teaching methodology, commitment and concern of the faculty members for the overall academic wellbeing of students through interactive sessions with outside institutions, nodal agencies, industry and the Government run Scientific and other academic bodies. The syllabi should be tuned up of job oriented and of market ready profile. Emphasis should be given to invite national and international fame scholars and activists (of various disciplines) for delivering thought provoking key addresses for stimulating the faculty and students together. To maintain high standard and dignity of the University, attempt should be made to invite Nobel Laureate for the key functions like Convocation (instead of political personality). Frequency of arranging national/international level conferences/symposia should be increased for wider academic interactions. Industry sponsored researches should be encouraged through upgraded Research Centers at the pattern of C.S.I.R. & I.I.Ts. etc.
Although, sufficient infrastructure development works had been carried out in the recent past, but there is always scope for strengthening facilities and creation of new establishments which require enormous funds. A.M.U. being comparatively old institution have produced large number of alumni who has excelled and earned reputation all over the globe in various fields. This is high time to establish a centre for coordinating to these elite and generous personalities to contribute for the ongoing efforts in this regard. For instance, I.I.T. Kharagpur through such unit called Technology Foundation Centre has attracted huge funds through its alumni which could bring out new Departments & Centers like Vinod Gupta School of Management, G. S. Sanyal School of Telecommunications and the newly started Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law. Such efforts can be carried out here also with better expectations. Above all, we require serious introspection and a firm commitment to revolutionize the whole set up with sincere and honest zeal without compromising all sorts of personal interests for the only cause of Academic excellence.
Views by: Akmal Husain M.Sc, M.Phil (Alig) Cell No 09434939702
Sr Scientist & Officer-in-Charge, Marine Aquarium & Research Centre
Zoological Survey of India (Ministry of Environment), Digha (W.B.)
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