Nobel Laureate Takaaki Kajita conferred DSc at AMU's 64th convocation

Noted Nuclear Physicist and Nobel Laureate, Professor Takaaki Kajita of Japan was today conferred with the Doctorate in Science (DSc), honoris causa at the 64th Annual Convocation of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Delivering the acceptance speech, Prof Kajita urged the AMU faculty members to participate in recognized conferences, workshops and training programmes and undertake research projects.

"I am greatly honoured to receive Doctorate of Science, honoris causa, from this great seat of learning and I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Aligarh Muslim University, said Prof Kajita adding that he is impressed with the infrastructure and the warm hospitality shown by AMU and that he would like to thank AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (Veteran) for inviting him.

He pointed out that appointments of high quality faculty members with a few years of post-doctoral experience and exposure with international and national collaborations will always bring significant improvement in research and in turn would lead to better training of young minds.

COLLABORATIONS WITH INDIAN SCIENTISTS

Professor Kajita further pointed out that the Japanese Neutrino Community is looking forward to have more collaboration in future with Indian scientists in general and Aligarh Muslim University in particular.

"I have been associated with AMU's Professor Sajjad Athar since 2008, when he visited Institute for Cosmic Ray Research of The University of Tokyo to work with us," said Prof Kajita adding that the association with Professor Athar has facilitated a collaboration, which he hopes to get stronger by leaps and bounds in the time to come.

In his convocation address, the chief guest, prince Qaidjoher Ezzuddin, brother of 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, his holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin said that this convocation is the end of an impressive chapter and the very beginning of what your lives will be. He added that today the graduates will walk away with degrees to enter the portals of the big competitive world.

He further said that from this point, graduates, post graduates and scholars will be in a journey of life, which will take them in many directions and along this journey, there will be a number of paths to choose.

"In this journey, you need to keep your faith and never lose hope," said Prince Qaidjoher Ezzuddin adding that graduates should aim to do their best and as Aligarhians, they need to reach the skies and stars.

PATRONISE AMU FOUNDER

Urging students to take inspiration from the AMU founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, he said that Sir Syed's dedication for the cause of education defined him and he believed in promoting Western-style scientific education.

"Sir Syed received great respect from both Hindus and Muslims for his progressive views and dedication towards the cause of education," said Prince Qaidjoher Ezzuddin adding that AMU students should follow the principles of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

The AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (veteran) read out the message of Chancellor, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. He informed that the Chancellor had complimented the graduating students on their success and prayed for the growth of AMU.

Presenting his Annual Report, General Shah said that a number of national and international academic ranking agencies including the US News and World Report, Times Higher Education, prestigious Week-Hansa, the National Institutional Ranking Framework of the Government of India, Outlook, India Today have rated AMU very near the top of the ranking ladder.

General Shah pointed out that the Government of India under National Health Mission has sanctioned Rs 16 crore for Paediatric Cardiology and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, Rs eight crore for Early Intervention Centre for Paediatric Department while ICMR has sanctioned Rs six crore for virology lab in Department of Microbiology and AMU will soon be operationalising the new PMSSY facilities including Cardiac Angiography and Angioplasty.

SEVERAL MOU'S SIGNED

He pointed out that Cath Lab equipment, costing Rs nine crore and Heart Lung Machine for open Cardiac Surgery are also being installed.
General Shah confirmed that a MoU has been signed with Fortis Escorts Hospital for Training of Doctors and Para Medical Staff for Cath Lab, Cardiac Surgery and Cardiac Anaesthesia.

He said that a Faculty of International Studies with eight new Departments and a Community College have already been established while a Faculty of Environmental Studies with three new Departments and an Institute of Pharmacy have been approved.

Highlighting the advances in Nanotechnology, Gen Shah affirmed that soon AMU's Nano fertilizers will herald the second green revolution and help in desalination of sea water without energy costs. He pointed out that AMU scientists, who are involved in cleaning rivers Ganga and Yamuna, have achieved significant success in re-cycling waste water through plant technology termed "Anaerobic digestion". They are also involved in harnessing solar energy, for automotive purposes to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The Vice Chancellor also highlighted that several AMU Departments have been granted the status of SAP under which 3 CAS and 4 DSA Departments have been added by the UGC and DST PURSE and BUILDER programmes.

INVESTING FOR QUALITY EDUCATION

He mentioned that in pursuance of quality education, 19 patents were filed, 102 Research Projects with the grant of Rs 79.93 crore were sanctioned and 74 AMU staff and students visited foreign universities for academic purposes.

"The university signed several MoUs with prestigious universities and institutions, including Al-Mustafa University, Iran; University of Maldives and National Informatics Centre, meanwhile our MoU with the Ohio State University has been renewed," added the Vice Chancellor.

General Shah also said that a large number of faculty members from different departments of studies have brought laurels to the University by attending International and National seminars and conferences and getting awards for the quality research papers.

On this occasion, about 5, 000 degrees and 215 medals were given away to the students of undergraduate, postgraduate, MPhil and Phd programmes.