AMU to collaborate with Ohio and Bristol Universities

Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University has entered into a tri-lateral collaboration project with the Ohio State University, USA and the University of Bristol, UK, that will include exchange and training programmes in the field of stem cell research and higher education in Physics.

The decision in this regard was taken, at a meeting in which representatives of the three universities participated. The collaborative project would focus on cancer research, X-ray nano-technology and wireless technologies.

It would include an exchange programme in which six scientists from Bristol and Ohio would conduct especially designed courses and research in the above fields at AMU besides a training programme for post-graduate and post-doctoral fellows at AMU.

Chairman, Department of Physics, Prof Wasi Haider said that the programme would continue beyond its two years tenure with institutional support and research grants to individual scientists.

The Ohio Super Computer Centre will provide state-of-art facilities at no additional cost, he said, adding that entire funding of the project will be done by different funding agencies in USA, UK and the Department of Science and Technology, India.

New Vice-Chancellor for AMU

Aligarh: Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah was appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
 
Shah, who is currently a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal, has been appointed for a period of five years or till he attains the age of 70, whichever is earlier, the Human Resource Development Ministry said in a statement.
 
"Lt Gen Shah will put in his papers to the Armed Forces Tribunal and is expected to assume duties as Vice-Chancellor shortly," an AMU spokesman said. 
 
Shah, the elder brother of actor Naseeruddin Shah, made it to the top post, beating two other short-listed candidates Noor Mohammad, who retired as the Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority, and Syed Khalid Rizvi, a retired additional DGP of Uttar Pradesh. 

AMU students claim to have made world's largest paper envelope

Aligarh: A group of students from Aligarh Muslim University displayed what they claimed was the world's largest paper envelope.
   
The 39-ft x 27-ft envelope was made by 12 students of the AMU belonging to faculties of Engineering, Architecture, Fine Arts and Law over a period of ten days. 
   
The envelope is addressed to the UN Peacekeeping operations and carries messages, signed by more than 10,000 youth, for promotion of world peace and prosperity, said Syed Nabeel Mehdi, leader of the group that made the envelope.
       
He said Guinness Book of World Records had been informed about this effort.
   
Mehdi said the current world record for the largest envelope was established in 2010 by UK-based organisation Stanley & Co.
      
Addressing the presentation ceremony, Additional District Magistrate (City) D S Sachan lauded the efforts of AMU students for promoting the message of "world peace and human brotherhood."
 
According to an AMU notification, the motive behind the the venture was to underline the significance of the ideals of "human brotherhood" which was promoted by the founder of AMU late Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. 

Ahmad meets PM, seeks appointment of AMU VC at earliest

Aligarh: Former Rajya Sabha member Wasim Ahmad met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged the Centre to appoint a Vice Chancellor at the Aligarh Muslim University at the earliest.
 
During the meeting on May 2,  Ahmad said he tried to convey the deep concerns of the AMU community over the "unusual delay" in appointment of a full time Vice Chancellor at this central University.
 
"The AMU has been without any Vice Chancellor or pro Vice Chancellor since over a month now and a dangerous drift is prevailing in the University administration," he said. 
 
Ahmad said the Prime Minister assured him that there will be no further delay in appointing a Vice Chancellor and a decision to this effect is expected "very shortly". 
 
"The Prime Minister's response on this issue was very reassuring," he said.
 
A panel of three names has been forwarded by the AMU Court to the President who will choose the next Vice Chancellor.
 
The decision is likely to be taken shortly after the return of President Pratibha Patil, who is presently abroad on an official visit.