In the recent ranking by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), Government of India, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been placed at 19th rank. last year AMU was palace on 10th place. On the face of it, the message has gone that perhaps AMU has lagged behind in academic excellence. But a close scrutiny of the resources, achievements in other fields and projects at hand of university, the AMU is certainly galloping to achieve a respected and meaningful place in academic world. Before analysing the situation from any angle, we should take into account what AMU Vice Chancellor lt. General Zameer Uddin Shah has said on the above stated fact.
In this connection, Zameer Uddin Shah said, “last year in 2016, the HRD ministry had not included ITTs in the ranking with universities. That has made a difference. Second in ‘university perception’ AMU has been granted only 16 marks whereas BHU has been allocated 44 marks. If AMU may had received 44 marks then it had received number one.”
He further added, “The disturbances in university on April 22-23, 2016 also made negative impact upon university performance. Apart from that AMU Alumni Wasim Ahmad leveled uncalled for charges against me which also sent a wrong message. AMU is not lagging behind in any field including research and academics.”
It is very satisfactory that during the tenure of the Zameer Uddin Shah, AMU has applied for large number of patents.
AMU launched second green revolution through NANO fertilisers and preservation of fruit and vegetables without any refrigeration process. AMU scientists are on the verge of masterminding desalination of saline water without energy cost.
Just like that AMU perfected the technique of recycling waste water without incurring any energy cost through the process of anaerobic digestion. It may play vital role in cleaning rivers like Ganga and Yamuna .
Not only that AMU developed solar energy for automotive purposes. It has negotiated with department of heavy industries government of India apart of private players like Mahindra and Mahindra and Maruti Udhyog.
So the assumption that AMU has lagged behind others in ranking by HRD ministry is somewhat vague and should not discourage any one.
Instead the fact that AMU has developed highly technical innovations and has succeeded in turning the campus First Green Campus in country should motivate the stake holders to realise the dreams of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan , the founder of AMU.
There is another factor that AMU should not be put on media trail as it negatively affect its prestige. Media should understand that all educational institutions try to provide best education but that all depends upon their resources.
Under able captainship of Zameer Uddin Shah AMU has galloped to achieve distinction in many fields and they must not be sidelined under shadow of only NIRF ranking.