AMU hosts World Alumni Virtual Meet 2021 to shed light in darkness

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The Aligarh Muslim University recently hosted their World Alumni Virtual Meet 2021, which featured some prominent figures across the globe who studied in the university.

World-renowned cardiologist and chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Prof Dr. Ashok Seth, was invited as a chief guest for the event.

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Seth highlighted the bond that the Aligarh fraternity shares and exhorted them to contribute to the betterment of the institution in every possible way.

“We must remember the last message of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who urged his associates to carry the light of MAO College, far and wide, till darkness disappears from all around,” said Dr. Seth.

He added: “We represent one of the greatest seats of learning in the whole world. We have a lot of responsibility because we are Aligarians”.

He pointed out, “we can transform Aligarh Muslim University into one of the biggest research universities of the world by sincerely working together”.

In his presidential remarks Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice-Chancellor, AMU expressed his commitment to strengthening the alumni network across the globe.

“The Alumni help us on several fronts including accreditation, perception building, and students’ mentoring among others”, emphasized Prof Mansoor.

He pointed out that despite the challenges posed by Covid pandemic, a number of courses have been started including DM Cardiology, MCH Neurosurgery, two B Tech and two Masters Courses. Two new Colleges and three new centers have also been established.

Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Srinagar addressed the event as guest of honor. He said Sir Syed made Aligarh an educational hub whose beneficiaries are spread throughout the world.

Discussing the theme of the Meet “opportunities and challenges in the post-pandemic era” he said, AMU should focus on research and should maintain the status of a research university, so that students get more opportunities and teachers must train to become techno-savvy as hybrid or dual-mode of teaching is the new normal.

He also appreciated the activities of the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) and advocated for providing coaching for all public sector jobs.

Dr. Shaheer Khan, Founder of AMU Network, San Francisco, USA said, 2020 and 2021 have been the most challenging years owing to Covid pandemic, though innovative technologies came to the rescue.

Faisal Saleem, SMARTDrive Program Manager, Phoenix, USA, and former captain of the AMU Tennis Club, said AMU has contributed tremendously in sports and Zafar Iqbal, one of its prominent alumni was the flag bearer of the Indian contingent in the Los Angeles Olympics 1984.

“AMU should revive the old glory and nurture sports talent in the backdrop of the government of India’s “Khelo India” policy”, he pointed out.

Saleem described the contributions of the USA-based alumni in knowledge sharing under the Aligs Academic Enrichment Programme and Alig DigiEd pilot project.

Guest of honor Miss Huma Khalil, author, translator and filmmaker eloquently spoke about the unique poetic ambiance of AMU and cultural traditions of Aligarh, the city of joy.

Quoting from Iqbal to Altaf Hussain Hali and Hasrat Mohani to Majaz and Josh, she said “the 150 years old poetic milieu of Aligarh owes a lot to AMU”.

Miss Huma Khalil narrated the background of “The Allure of Aligarh: A Poetic Journey into the University City”, a book written by her.

Welcoming the guests and participants of the program, Prof MM Sufyan Beg, Chairman, Alumni Affairs Committee, said, alumni are an integral part of any academic institution and among other things, they have to contribute immensely to the ranking and accreditation of the university.

“During the pandemic, the global AMU alumni raised upto Rs 1.73 crores to help the AMU procure an Oxygen plant to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to the two provided by the PMCares Fund, developed a Paediatric ICU, and procured dialysis machine and other essential medical equipment”, he pointed out.