Vice Chancellor further said that AMU has it in mind to build an exclusive hall of residence for disabled student, an additional hall for girls to accommodate 1000 students and the whole campus will be renovated as the University Grants Commission has accepted several proposals of the University. According to Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis "the UGC made it clear that the sprawling campus of the AMU needs a thorough facelift and special deal is being given to AMU in the eleventh plan. For providing facilities to students and making it a centre of excellence, UGC is committed to provide the funds required by AMU".

The University will also start remedial coaching for SC, ST and minority students at undergraduate and post graduate level and all the ICT facilities will be made available in the campus.Addressing the meeting the Vice Chancellor said the Central Library and Computer Centre will be expanded and upgraded substantially. The University will provide visiting Professorship in selected departments  and offer financial support for publication of outstanding research works. It will also support departments to organize seminars.

Construction of washrooms for girls and differently abled will also be a top priority, he added. While reviewing the progress of utilization of funds in various departments the Vice Chancellor has exhorted the Chairmen to utilize the allocations for books and equipments within one month's time frame. Prof. Azis emphasized on strictly adhering to the Central Government Purchase rules.In lieu with the Government's commitment to provide funds and infra structure to start new shifts at Engineering and Medical Colleges , Prof. Azis suggested that the Engineering and Medical Colleges of the University may consider the proposal.

AAA MICHIGAN AWARDS 169 SCHOLARSHIPS
Aligarh
De c. 22, 2008 

It gives me pleasure to inform you that for the fourth time in a row AMU Alumni Association Michigan has recommended an award of Scholarships to 169 needy but meritorios students at AMU. I being the coordinator of the scholarship programme invited applications from the students in September. Interviews were held at Ibne-Sina Academy for 15 days. As there were overall 564 applicants from each Hall of Residence. I had requested this year several teachers from different departments to assist me in the selection process. After thourough grilling we could finalize 169 students who were recommended for the award. The executive committee in its meeting held at Michigan has recommended all of them for the award. All those students who live in the Halls shall be paid the scholarship ammount through Dinning Hall Charges ranging from 3 to 4 months and for some of these their Hall dues shall be paid directly in their account. The students (both boys and girls) who reside in Aligarh town shall be paid through a cheque of the ammount sanctioned to be paid by the Provosts Abdullah Hall and NRSC.A total sum of around 8171 $US is being paid this session. The contribution from the Alumni at Michigan for this noble cause is thankfully acknowledged.Prof(Emeritus) Habib Zuberi who did his MA in Economics from AMU in 1953 is the President of the Association. The entire AMU community I am sure should feel proud of such people who so selflessly help the student community at AMU. The different Associations such as the one in Washington DC , California (www.amualumni.org), Australia , Saudi Arabia , Oman are all working towards the same goal of helping a number of needy and Meritorious students for the several years. They contribute around 35 Lac INR every year to this cause. We all can pray for everyone associated with this noble cause.

Suhail Sabir, Ph.D.
Department Of Chemistry
AMU, Aligarh
suhailsabir@email.com

AMU Branch to Open in Katihar; Says NCP Leader

Patna: Dec. 17, 2008

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) national general secretary and MP Tariq Anwar, at a press conference in Patna on Wednesday, said that the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was soon going to have a sister campus in Katihar even as the UPA government awaited a reply from the Bihar government on the possibility of opening a central university in the state.

"The Central government has given a nod to the much-awaited central university in Bihar but the Nitish administration is yet to take initiative in this regard," said the NCP leader.

Anwar said that based on the recommendations of the 'Fatima Committee, it was decided to open five branches of the AMU in various states at the cost of Rs. 2,000 crore.

"Under this plan, Bihar would have a 300-acre campus in Katihar to be built at the cost of Rs. 400 crore. However, for this dream to come true, the state government must provide land, electricity, and water for free and though I have personally written letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in this regard, we are still waiting for his response," the MP said.

Bihar's newly-elected party president Mohan Lal Agrawal and national secretary Aqil Haider were also present at the press conference.