Tag Archives: Muslims of India in Education

AMU students significantly contribute to the German literary translation project

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Aligarh :

The students and teachers of the German Section, Department of Foreign Languages, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) contributed significantly to the Translation Project conducted by Goethe-Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan, Mumbai.

The South Asian regional translation project, “Diamantenschliff: The Digital Translation Academy” focused on the translations of German literary works into the South Asian languages with special emphasis on the translation of selected works of Franz Kafka from German into various South Asian languages, including Bangla, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Sinhala, Tamil and Urdu.

Syed Salman Abbas, Assistant Professor, German Language and Literature, Department of Foreign Languages, who was the mentor for Urdu translations, moderated a lecture session on translation delivered by Dr Almuth Degener, a retired professor from the Indology Department, University of Mainz, Germany.

The current and former students of the German Section, including Mohammad Uzair, Mohammad Khalid, Sadique Khan, Mohammad Intizar, Muhammad Fahad and Syeda Alina Ali translated different works of Kafka from German into Urdu, while Mr Syed Salman Abbas contributed to and edited the Urdu translations for the website.

Dr Subair PM, Assistant Professor, made contributions as one of the translators of German texts into Malayalam.

The one-year-long project concluded with the launch of the translations on the official website of Goethe-Institut, on July 3, marking Franz Kafka’s birthday. The voice recordings of the Urdu translations are also available on the website.

Prof Muhammad Azhar, Dean of the Faculty of International Studies and Chairman of the concerned department appreciated the unique achievement of the students and faculty members of the department and congratulated them for their outreach.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / July 31st, 2024

AMU Faculty of Unani Medicine Gets New Chairperson

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Aligarh :

Prof. Rubi Anjum, Department of Tahaffuzi Wa Samaji Tib, Faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University has been appointed as the Chairperson of the concerned department, for a period of three years, with effect from July 1, 2024.

Prof Anjum, engaged in teaching and research for over the last 16 years, has authored two books and published more than 70 research papers in journals of national and international repute. Besides this, she has attended more than 70 national and international conferences and seminars and presented papers on myriad topics.

She received an Award of Appreciation at a World Health Day event held at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on April 3, 2016, for her role in creating awareness about diabetes.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / June 30th, 2024

Akeel Ahmed of Kargil becomes youngest Air Safety Officer at DGCA

Sankoo Thangdumbdur Village (Kargil) , LADAKH :

Mohammad Akeel

New Delhi :

Mohd Akeel, a 22-year-old Aeronautical engineer hailing from Ladakh has become the first person from the frontier region to be selected as the Air Safety Officer in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Akeel cleared the Union Public Services Commission’s national examination held for selecting Air safety officers for 2023.

People are congratulating Akeel on social media, praising his achievement at such a young age, and calling it a breaking the barriers phenomenon.

Akeel is one of the youngest people to clear this coveted examination.

He belongs to the village Sankoo Thangdumbdur, located about 42 km from Kargil town in the Union territory of Ladakh.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Aasha Khosa, ATV / May 08th, 2024

Prof Naima Gulrez Is New Vice Chancellor of AMU

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu has appointed Prof Naima Gulrez new Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) out of three names sent to the visitor (President of India) by the AMU court.

Prof. Naima Gulrez, who served as Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Psychology before joining as Principal, Women’s College in July 2014, also taught at the National University of Rwanda, Central Africa. A PhD in Political Psychology, she worked at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, and served as Deputy Coordinator of UGC assisted Special Assistance Program on Spiritual Psychology in the Department of Psychology, AMU.

She has authored, co-authored and edited six books and published many papers in journals of national and international repute. She has supervised 15 Ph.D. theses and a large number of dissertations. Her area of specialization is in the field of Clinical, Health, Applied Social and Spiritual Psychology.

Apart from academics, Prof. Naima Khatoon has vast experience in Educational Administration. She served as Provost in Indira Gandhi Hall and twice in Abdullah Hall. She also served as Deputy Director, Residential Coaching Academy and Deputy Proctor of AMU. She was elected twice to the Women’s College Student Union. She also worked as Literary Secretary and Senior Hall Monitor of both Abdullah Hall and Sarojini Naidu Hall. She was awarded the Papa Mian Padma Bhushan Best Girl Award for all-around excellence.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / April 22nd, 2024

After 7 long years, teacher shines on world stage

Pegadapaly Village (Jagtial District), TELANGANA:

Irshad, with 11 years experience at Govt Model School, Pegadapally, was chosen as one of two TG educators for 2024 FTEA

Irshad receives a certificate
Irshad receives a certificate

Hyderabad :

After seven years of perseverance, it’s a moment of celebration for 40-year old Syed Irshad Ali, a post graduate teacher from Model School and Government Junior College in Pegadapally village of Jagtial district, to have attended the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (FTEA) programme at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, US.

Headed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State, the six-week FTEA programme opens doors for secondary school educators to partake in developmental initiatives at prestigious US universities.

Irshad was one of only two teachers chosen from Telangana and one of the seven teachers handpicked from across the country for the 2024 programme. Irshad was selected after attending national-level interviews and attempting the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), scoring 61.

Irshad was aspiring and attempting to be a part of the programme for the past seven years and his efforts finally paid off when he was selected to attend the programme, where teachers from 19 other countries were also a part of the cohort.

Speaking to TNIE, Irshad said, “The six-week programme has been a one-of-its-kind experience which gave me an exposure to different cultures and people from various parts of the world. Besides exchanging teaching techniques and knowledge-sharing, the programme expanded my approach and gave me exposure to challenges faced by teachers in different countries, some of which were similar to what we face here in India, while others were extremes, which helped me understand the progress made by India in infrastructure, as well as the areas where we need to improve”.

Syed Irshad Ali speaks at Massachusetts University during the Fulbright
Teaching Excellence & Achievement programme
Syed Irshad Ali speaks at Massachusetts University during the Fulbright Teaching Excellence & Achievement programme

Irshad further said that discussions on gender rights, English pedagogy and visit to the Harvard University, which were a part of the programme were a significant value addition to his learning experience.

Irshad has 14 years of experience in teaching and has been working in the Model School for the past 11 years, where he teaches English language to students from classes 9 to 12.

He has also been a state resource person and has contributed in designing various training programmes for English teachers in the state and was also awarded the district-level best teacher award for 2022, for excellence in English teaching during the Covid-19 period.

Irshad, who is a father to a son and a daughter, stressed on the significance of empowering and fostering girl students, especially in the rural areas, where girls face several challenges, hampering their education and said that this achievement came as an added responsibility for him in creating awareness amongst teachers for improving the quality of education in the government schools.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Telangana> GoodNews / by Aarti Kashyap / April 07th, 2024

Shabnam Shaikh is India’s first doctorate in wrestling studies

Aambijalgaon, Kajrat (Ahmednagar District), MAHARASHTRA:

Dr. Shabnam Shabbir Sheikh
Dr. Shabnam Shabbir Sheikh

Shabnam Shabbir Shaikh of Aambijalgaon, Maharashtra, trashes stereotypes of Indian women. Having picked wrestling as her field, this 28-year-old woman has broken all the shackles that a girl child faces while growing up in a small village.

Hailing from the village Aambijalgaon, Karjat, of the district Ahmednagar Shabnam was born in Jammu where her father Shabbir Sarabhai Shaikh was posted in the Indian Army. She is the third child of her parents and she grew up seeing her mother Rizwana Begum looking after the house and the family. However, Shabnam’s father always wanted his daughter to be brave, self-reliant, and break social stereotypes.

A great votary of women’s education Shabbir Shaikh encouraged his wife Rizwana Begum to complete her MSc degree after their marriage.Due to her father’s frequent postings across the country, Shabnam did her schooling mostly at the Army schools in Ambala, Udhampur, Srinagar, and Ahmedabad. After her father’s retirement, the family settled in their native village and Shabnam joined the local school.

She joined the 11th class in the Dada Patil College, Karjat, in the science stream. despite an irregular and sluggish bus service to Karjat, she somehow managed to study and also attend coaching for wrestling.

Coach Shabnam with her team

Shabnam completed her Bachelor of Physical Education (BPE) from Aurangabad (Sambhajinagar). She also got a diploma certificate in Coaching from the National Institute of Patiala, Punjab, and later did her Master’s from Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and then registered for her PhD studies.

Shabnam’s wrestling career began at the age of seven with her father as her coach. Shabnam says, “’My father is my first guru.”

Shabnam came from a family of wrestlers: her grandfather Sadarbhai Shaikh and great-grandfather were well-known wrestlers in the area. Their ancestral house has a wrestling arena where she watched male members of her family and neighbours practice wrestling. 

Shabnam had to face the scorn and disapproval of her extended family and relatives when she started practicing wrestling. People even asked her family why she was allowed to wear shorts.

Shabnam at the convocation of the University

Shabnam started with Kabaddi, a game that requires a lot of alacrity and stamina.

Initially, she did not get to enter the arena where her brothers wrestled, so she took to Kabbadi. “I used to think that if I wrestle and win that will be my victory. Even if I lose, it will also be my failure. Will happen… I expressed my desire to wrestle to my father. He responded positively.”

Shabnam’s father had a precondition for training her. He wanted her to concentrate on training and practice for the first two years. She started receiving training from her father and two elder brothers.

Every morning at 4 o’clock she was sent to pick lemons from their farm located about 10 km away. She learned the nuances of wrestling and participated in her first competition in Ludhiana (Punjab). She bagged a silver medal and there started her winning streak.

Shabnam says, “Once in my village, my father came to know about a competition in Delhi. I was just 10 years old at that time. He gave me a paper with the address written on it and a train ticket and wished me good luck for the journey.”

At that time she wondered why she was going alone, ‘Why don’t my parents come with me? But my father always used to tell me that some battles in life have to be fought alone,” she says going down memory lane.

Shabnam Shaikh with her trophy

Shabnam won the title of ‘Women Maharashtra Kesari’ in 2010. She has won the gold medal in ‘Shirdi Kesari’ for three consecutive years since 2009, the gold medal in ‘Latur’ in 2011, gold medal in the ‘Maharashtra State Kustigir Parishad’ competition for six consecutive years.

She has also participated in four inter-university competitions, 10 national competitions, and more than 15 state-level competitions. In the national level ‘Great Bharatkumari Wrestling Competition’, Shabnam is the first winner not only from the Muslim community but also from Maharashtra.

Shabnam says her father taught her that one doesn’t need an outer veil. “Always keep the veil that differentiates between good and bad people in front of your eyes!” he told her.

Shabnam says, “People used to question my parents’ ways. A girl should not play sports like wrestling. Teach her to fast (during Ramazan) and pray. Don’t you want only boys to play wrestling? Hundreds of questions were asked but my parents did not let the pressure of society affect me.

“My father never changed his opinion under the pressure of society. He never let these things affect my game. I always got the support of my parents and my elder brothers.”

Shabnam’s mother Rizwana Begum says, “I have not two, but three ‘sons’! My brothers did not give me a share of our parents’ property. But, I will not let this injustice happen to my daughter. I will give her everything she deserves. Shabnam has brought glory to us. As a mother, I will always be proud of her.”

Shabnam’s thesis for her Ph.D. degree is ‘Comparative study of emotional maturity of rural and urban women wrestlers in Maharashtra’. She toured the entire state for research.

Shabnam is the first woman in India to do a doctorate in sports studies. While doing her Ph.D. in Wrestling, there were often deliberate attempts to embarrass and thwart her effort to earn a doctorate.

In the year 2017, Shabnam was selected as the junior coach of the Wrestling Women’s Association of India; she imparted wrestling training to Anushka Sharma and Salman Khan for the film ‘Sultan‘. Shabnam has represented India in Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

She currently works as a ‘Senior Trainer’ in the ‘Wrestling Women’s Association’ of India. India has never had success in the ‘World Women’s Wrestling Championship’ till now. However, in the ‘Under-20 World Championship’ of 2023 India won seven medals in ‘Women’s Wrestling’. Out of these, three are gold medals.

Shabnam Shaikh after her victory in a foreign location

Dr. Shabnam Shaikh is today known as the ‘International Wrestling Coach.

Shabnam says, “I was selected as the coach of ‘Maharashtra Team’ for the national tournament held in Gujarat last year. Twenty-four hours ago, my name was canceled! I was not given any idea about this.”

“Many times, despite having the right credentials and qualifications, I am not given a chance. Probably, because I live with self-respect! I always think that when someone asks me, “How did you get all this?’ I should proudly tell him, ‘I have earned it through my hard work.’

Shabnam says, “Wrestling gave me identity. Sometimes I wonder, ‘Is wrestling a curse or a blessing for me?’ Initially, relatives and other people of the society hated seeing me wrestle.

“Later, when I started winning competitions, people would post the news of my success on their ‘status’ on various social media platforms and write the caption, ‘Congratulations and best wishes to our sister or relative.’

After reading the news of my winning, I became everyone’s relative at that time! But, they speak against me on behind my back! However, now they hesitate to speak against me openly!”

Shabnam says, “Most of the time I am rejected for marriage. I play wrestling. The suitors who come to see as a potential candidate for marriage, see my trophies and see ‘Doctor’ written next to my name. When they go home their answer is, ‘We don’t want such an educated girl.'”   

Shabnam continues to work hard to ensure that other girls do not face what she has.

Her advice to the youth: “No matter what happens, do not get tired. Do not give up the fight.” Her dream is to build a wrestling center for girls.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Chaya Kaveri / February 29th, 2024

UPSC Success Story: Meet IAS Officer Who Secured The Highest Marks In Interview Round

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

Her hard work paid off and she eventually clinched success on her third attempt. She cleared both her Prelims and Mains and went on to top the interview round as well.

UPSC Success Story: Meet IAS Officer Who Secured The Highest Marks In Interview Round
IAS Zainab Sayeed

New Delhi: 

Do you happen to know who holds the prestigious title for achieving the highest marks in the interview round of the UPSC exam over the last decade? If you’re guessing it’s Tina Dabi, Srushti Deshmukh, Kanishka Kataria, or Shruti Sharma, you might be surprised.

It’s none other than Zainab Sayeed who stands as the record-holder for securing the highest marks in the UPSC interview round. This remarkable individual from Kolkata attained an outstanding score of 220 out of 275 marks in the interview segment. Her remarkable achievement took place in 2014 when she successfully navigated the UPSC Civil Services Exam, amassing 731 marks in the main examination.

Zainab clinched the All-India Rank (AIR-107) and to this day remains unparalleled in terms of interview performance. However, Zainab’s journey with UPSC wasn’t without its challenges. She encountered setbacks in her initial two attempts, failing to clear even the Prelims in her first endeavours.

Despite these early setbacks, Zainab refused to be deterred and remained steadfast in her belief in herself. Her relentless dedication and perseverance eventually paid dividends, culminating in her triumphant success on her third attempt. She not only cleared both her Prelims and Mains but also emerged as the top performer in the interview round.

According to Zainab’s account, the interview lasted for approximately 25 minutes and revolved around a diverse array of topics, including current affairs, international affairs, foreign direct investments, and discussions on the European Union.

It’s noteworthy that Zainab hails from Kolkata and completed her graduation in English literature from St. Xavier’s College. Subsequently, she pursued her MA in mass communication at Jamia University, Delhi, graduating in 2011.

Following her post-graduate studies, Zainab made the decision to embark on the rigorous journey of UPSC exam preparation. Despite facing disappointments in 2012 and 2013, she persisted and ultimately tasted success in 2014.

source: http://www.zeenews.india.com / Zee News / Home> India> UPSC Success Story / by Zee Media Bureau, edited by Mahi Mishra / February 13th, 2024

First Kalyana Karnataka Jamborette to Kick Off in Bidar Under Dr. Abdul Qadeer and Dr. Guramma Siddareddy’s Leadership

Bidar, KARNATAKA:

Karnataka:

The Bharat Scouts and Guides are set to host the First Kalyana Karnataka Jamborette at Shaheen College premises in Bidar. Scheduled from February 8 to 12, the Jamborette will witness the participation of over 3,000 Scouts, Guides, Rovers, Rangers, and Heads from across the region.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer, founder of Shaheen Group of Institutions and District Vice President of Scouts and Guides, Bidar, has been nominated as the Chief of the event by PGR Sindhia, the state Chief Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides. Dr. Guramma Siddareddy is appointed as the Additional Chief of Jamborette.

From 6:30 am to 8 pm daily, attendees can engage in a diverse array of activities encompassing adventure, cultural pursuits, yoga, meditation, district fair scenario displays, and more.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer emphasizes that these activities aim to foster discipline, physical fitness, mental agility, social skills, moral values, and spiritual development among the youth.

Shaheen College, well-equipped to handle the influx of participants, has made arrangements for accommodation, food, transportation, and other essential facilities. The preparations are in full swing, ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees.

The Jamborette will be inaugurated by Cabinet Minister Ishwara Khandre, Union Minister Bhagavanth Khuba, Urban Administration and Haj Minister Raheem Khan, and Former Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde, Science and Technology Minister N. S. Bhosaraju, Educationist Basavaraj Patil Sedam, KKRDB President Ajay Singh and other leaders will participate.

At a recent press conference, Jamborette Chief Dr. Abdul Qadeer, along with Additional Chief Dr. Guramma Sidda Reddy, Jamborette Secretary Dr. H.B. Bharshetty, Coordinator Malleshwari Jujare, Co-coordinator Rachaiyyah Nasi, Camp Leaders Ramesh Tibshetty and Jaisheela Sudarshan and District Organizer Nagaratna Patil, shared insights into the upcoming event.

The press conference featured discussions on the wide array of activities, ranging from Mehndi and Rangoli to Quiz Competitions and Sustainable Development Training.

source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> Education / by The Hindustan Gazette / January 28th, 2024

Shibli Residential Coaching Academy: Nurturing UPSC aspirants for success

Azamgarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

UPSC aspirants preparing at Shibli Residential Coaching Academy, Azamgarh.

Nestled in the historic city of Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Shibli Residential Coaching Academy stands as a beacon of hope for UPSC aspirants across the nation.

Established with a vision to empower and guide students towards a bright future in civil services, the academy offers a holistic approach to UPSC preparation, combining academic excellence with personalized mentorship and a conducive residential environment.

Setting the Stage:

As dawn breaks over the serene campus of Shibli Residential Coaching Academy, aspiring civil servants begin their day with a sense of purpose and determination. The tranquil surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for intense study sessions and thoughtful contemplation, setting the stage for a transformative journey ahead.

Academic Excellence:

Led by a team of seasoned educators and subject matter experts, the academy’s curriculum is meticulously crafted to cover the vast syllabus of the UPSC examination. From comprehensive study materials to interactive classroom sessions and regular mock tests, every aspect of the learning experience is designed to instill confidence and competence in aspirants.

Personalized Mentorship:

At Shibli Residential Coaching Academy, every student is more than just a name on a roster – they are individuals with unique strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. That’s why the academy takes pride in its personalized mentorship program, where experienced faculty members offer one-on-one guidance, constructive feedback, and strategic advice tailored to each student’s needs.

Beyond the Classroom:

Recognizing that success in the UPSC examination requires more than just academic prowess, Shibli Residential Coaching Academy places a strong emphasis on holistic development. From personality development workshops and communication skills training to extracurricular activities and community engagement initiatives, students are encouraged to cultivate a well-rounded skill set that extends beyond the confines of the classroom.

A Supportive Community:

More than just an educational institution, Shibli Residential Coaching Academy is a close-knit community of like-minded individuals bound by a shared goal – to crack the UPSC examination and serve the nation with distinction. Whether it’s late-night study sessions in the library, spirited debates in the common room, or impromptu brainstorming sessions over chai, the camaraderie among students fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

As the sun sets on another productive day at Shibli Residential Coaching Academy, UPSC aspirants retire to their dormitories with a sense of accomplishment and purpose. With unwavering dedication, personalized mentorship, and a supportive community by their side, they are well-equipped to embark on the challenging yet rewarding journey towards realizing their dreams of serving the nation through the civil services.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Network / February 01st, 2024

Tasneem Suhrawardy, medieval history academic at St Stephen’s college, passes away

NEW DELHI:

In 2004, she completed her PhD from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on “Central Asians in Mughal India: Migration, Settlement and Impact on North Indian Culture”.

Prof Tasneem Suhrawardy
Prof Tasneem Suhrawardy (Photo | Twitter)

New Delhi :

Tasneem Suhrawardy, a well-known Indian medieval history academic who was teaching at the Delhi University’s St Stephen’s college , died at the Fortis hospital in Gurugram on Tuesday. She was 58.

Suhrawardy passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest in the morning. She was ailing for some time and was being treated at the hospital for pneumonia.

Suhrawardy graduated with an Honours in History from the St Stephen’s college in 1986.

In 2004, she completed her PhD from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on “Central Asians in Mughal India: Migration, Settlement and Impact on North Indian Culture”.

Besides teaching at the St Stephen’s college, she was also invited as a guest teacher in prestigious American and Indian educational institutions.

Suhrawardy was an associate professor at the St Stephen’s college and was well known academically for her specialisation in Indian medieval history.

She was the daughter of late Syed Saeedul Haq and late Shahida Suhrawardy.

Her brother Anis Suhrawardy was a noted lawyer who died in 2012.

She is survived by her sister Nilofar Suhrawardy, a senior journalist, and other relatives.

Her demise was described as a great loss to the academic world by her students and colleagues.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Delhi / by PTI / December 26th, 2023