EDUCATION
A Report on Maulana Azad College of Engineering and Technology, Patna
Some eminent and enlightened members of the Muslim community registered a society namely, Millat Education Society. They included Dr. A.R. Kidwai, at present Governor of Bihar, Mr. Justice $. Sarwar Ali, the then Acting Chief Justice, Patna High Court and later Lok Ayukta, Bihar, Mr. Justice S. Ali Ahmad, the then senior-most Judge, Patna High Court, now Chairman, Backward Classes Commission, Bihar, Mr. Aziz Sait, then Minister in Karnataka, late Col. Mahboob Ahmad, former Ambassador of India, Mr. Fahimuddin Ahmad, former Additional Chief Secretary, Bihar, Former Member Bihar Public Service Commission and former Vice-Chancellor, Magadh University, Dr. Ahmad Abdul Hai, Head of the Department of Surgery, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna and Mr. Anwar Karim, IAS, (Retd.), former Development Commissioner, Bihar. The main objectives of the Society are to promote establishment of scientific/commercial/professional/educational institutions for Muslims, in particular.
In 1987, the Society established an Engineering College under Article 30 of the Constitution of India and named it after the great scholar, patriot and freedom-fighter, late Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Objectives: Maulana Azad College of Engineering and Technology, Patna, Bihar was established with the following objectives:
A. To impart technical education at the degree level to the Muslim minority.
B. To maintain a high degree of education standard and discipline in the College.
C. To establish liaison with various industries and employing agencies, both within the country and abroad, and provide necessary guidance and opportunities to the graduates.
D. To enlist the cooperation and assistance of the philanthropic and Government agencies for resource regeneration.
Academic Status: The College stands recognised by the All-India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi. It is affiliated to Magadh University. The Ist Part Engg Examination was conducted by Magadh University in 1993. The first batch will pass out in 1997.
Physical Facilities - Present Status:
Land: The College is housed in a building of 17,720 sq. ft. built-up area. Another two storeyed building comprising of 13,926 sq. ft. of built-up area, together with two acres of land donated to the College by the Sir Ali Imam family in Anisabad, Patna. The College has now purchased 10 acres of land at a distance of about 13 km from the present site at Neora in Patna District.
Teaching Area: There are 11 Class Rooms and 2 Drawing Halls at the present site at Anisabad, Patna. All the theoretical classes of 1st year to 4th year students are being taken in these class rooms. Besides, laboratories for Ist, 2nd and 3rd year B.Sc., Engineering classes have been equipped with latest equipment.
Library: A Library is functioning with a total of about 5,000 volumes of books and journals.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering: Facility for the Department of Computer Science and Engineering has been completed at a cost of Rs. 30 lakhs with 17 computer systems.
Projects under Construction/Planning: Combined Laboratory Building: The Composite Laboratory Building is under construction at a cost of Rs.75 lakhs, with a grant of Rs. 50 lakhs from Maulana Azad Education Foundation, New Delhi
Administrative Block: The Administrative-cum-Research Block is coming up at the new site with financial help received from Dr. Syedna Taher Saifuddin Memorial Foundation, Bombay.
New Building: A Hostel with capacity of 130 students has been constructed at a cost of $1,07,000 about Rs. 40 lakhs provided by the IDB, Jeddah Building for the Department of Electronics: Plan and estimates for the addition of another floor to the Combined Laboratory Building for the Deptt. Of Electronics are ready. The estimated expenditure of Rs:21 lakhs will be financed partly by the College Fund and partly by the donation of Rs. 10 lakhs received from the Government of India.
New Class Rooms, Student's Facility Rooms and Teachers' Room etc.: Plans and estimates for class rooms, facility rooms for students and teachers, tutorial classes, etc. likely to cost Rs. 95 lakhs, to be constructed at the new campus, have been submitted to the IDB, Jeddah, for sanction.
Faculty: The College provides degree courses in 4 trades i.e. Civil, Mechanical, Electronics and Computer Science and Engineering with annual intake of 30 each in Civil and Mechanical Engineering and 45 each in Electronics and Computer Science and Engineering. There are 28 regular teachers including 4 Professors. In addition, the services of highly reputed Professors are available from other Engineering Colleges on part-time basis.
Admissions: Admissions are made in accordance with the direction of the Supreme Court of India and the regulation of the All-India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi. For the present, 50% of the total seats are reserved for Muslim minorities. Out of which 50% are free seas and the rest 50% are paid seats. Admission on these seats are taken in order of merit through All India competitive test. The other 50% of the total seats are filled up by the State Government through the Combined Competitive Admission Test.
The Society and the College need fund for constructing its campus, equipping its laboratories and expanding its activities. donations may be sent directly to Maulana Azad College of Engineering and Technology, Anisabad, Patna. Those residing outside India, may send their donations to MILLAT EDUCATION SOCIETY, Patna.
Future Programme:
i) M.B.A. Courses
ii)Pharma Courses
iii)Courses in Architectural Engineering
College Address:
Mr. Fahimuddin Ahmad, Hony. Secretary, Maulana Azad College of Engineering and Technology, Anisabad, Patna - 800 002, Bihar (India).
Residence: 185, Patliputra Colony, Patna - 800 013, Bihar (India).
Madarsas in Gujarat under Surveillance
This is to state on the use of Madarsas by anti-social elements that you should collect and send information in respect of your taluqa, the number of Madarsas, the number of those constructed on legally obtained land, number of those constructed without permission. You are called upon to take legal steps against those Madarsas constructed without permission. Moreover, taking in view the possibility of such Madarsas being used by anti-social elements, you should obtain and send information as to who are the organisers frequenting such Madarsas, what are their activities, what is their financial source and how the money is being spent. As this information has to be forwarded to the Additional Director General of Police (Int.), Ahmedabad, you are requested to submit the above information by the return of post.
(Translation of the SDM, Bharuch's Letter No MAG. VS:1457 dated 23.7.1997)
[Source: The Gujarat Today, Ahmedabad, 27 September, 1997)
{On protest the GOG has withdrawn the circular - Editor}].
AMU: Achievements Under M. Rahman as VC
* Opening of Dental College.
* Raising the number of M.B.B.S. Seats. Extension of O.P.D. of J.N. Medical College
* Creation of Journalism and Mass Communication and Computer Engineering Departments.
* Creation of Faculty of Management Studies.
* Operationalisation of Nadeem Tareen Hall and New Hall for Girls
* Declaration of M.B.B.S. and B.Sc. Engg. Entrance Test results in a record time of three days.
* Creation of a Corps fund of Rs. 25 crores for Renovation of the Campus and the construction of boundary wall and Installation of E-mail and Internet.
* Adoption of Transparent Admission Policy including scrapping of interview & basing on Nomination on Merit.
Future Plans
* Establishment of A.M.U. House in Delhi
* Introduction of Under-graduate Courses in Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Management.
* Introduction of Post-graduate Courses in Environment Engineering
* Creation of Department of Fire Engineering.
* Renovation of Sir Syed Garden.
(Source: Advertisement by the AMU, October, 1997)
Gandhiji on Hindi-Urdu Conflict in UP
At the Prayer meeting ... Gandhiji referred to a press report of an order of the government of the United Provinces making Hindi with Devanagari script as its official language. Bapu expressed deep sorrow at such an inconsiderate decision which he was sure would work to the detriment of the large sections of the population who read and wrote in the Urdu script. "Hence," the Mahatma said, "I call upon the United Provinces government in a spirit of love, even though I have no control over that Government, to withdraw this circular".
Role of National Urdu University Shahabuddin's Letter to Prime Minister, 1 October, 1997
It has been reported that you may lay the foundation stone of the campus of Maulana Azad National Urdu University and formally inaugurate it in Hyderabad on 11.11.97. I had earlier written to you to point out that in order to be an effective instrument for the promotion of Urdu the proposed University must provide for the affiliation of Urdu-medium secondary and higher
secondary schools as well as Urdu-medium degree colleges throughout the country which find it difficult to affiliate themselves to the local Universities. Secondly, the proposed University must set up model teaching facilities in Arts, Science, and Commerce at least up to degree level on its campus, apart from other specialised and professional courses. I would also like to add that since the Open Universities including IGNOU do not provide facilities for distance education through the medium of Urdu, this University should provide this facility for the entire country.
In case, these activities cannot be taken up under the existing Act, the Government should consider suitably amending the Act at the earliest.
I request that while inaugurating the University you may kindly refer to these important aspects in order that the University generates an enthusiastic response in the Urdu-speaking community in the country.
Urdu: Plea for IGNOU Courses Shahabuddin's Letter to Minister of Human Resource Development, 1 October, 1997
No open university in the country at present offers even degree courses through the medium of Urdu. The Open Universities in various States limit the courses in their own principal language. The IGNOU uses English and Hindi.
Since Urdu is widely spoken throughout the country and particularly in the States of UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, AP, Karnataka, MP and Rajasthan, not to mention Urdu-speaking pockets in other States and Union Territories, I request you to instruct the IGNOU to provide its degree level courses through the medium of Urdu also. I am particularly anxious to have BT and BEd courses in Urdu, because there is a growing demand for primary school teachers who can teach various subjects through the medium of Urdu. Generally, the possession of the BT/BEd degree has become an essential qualification for such appointments.
To begin with, therefore, the IGNOU may commence its Urdu programme with the introduction of BA, BSC, BCOM and BT/B.Ed. courses.
