BY: SYED WARIS SHERE,
WINNIPEG,
Fond Memories
I have the fond memories of the Aligarh Muslim University, the world
prestigious and renowned institution. It was a privilege and honour to
have studied at this university of high learning. To me, Aligarh
Muslim University strives to be one of the leading research
universities and the most outstanding university in the world. As a
research university, it seeks to achieve the highest levels of
distinction in the discovery and transmission of knowledge and
understanding. Many prominent leaders, and Urdu writers and scholars
of the Indian sub -continent have graduated from the Aligarh Muslim
University. This is a premier Central University with several
faculties and maintained institutions and draws students from all
corners of the world, specially Africa, West Asia and South East Asia.
Joined the University
My father Syed Ahsan Shere and elder brother Syed Harris Shere were
also the product of this great institution. My brother Syed Harris
Shere of the Engineering College was married to Shanaz the daughter of
Dr. Hafizur Rahaman, Formerly Dean of Law at the A.M.U. Dr. Hafizur
Rahman and my father were class mates at the Aligarh Muslim University
in early 1930's. Dr. Rashidulzaffar an eminent educationist and
brother of my sister-in-law Shahnaz was my class mate(1952-54) in
Intermediate Science. I joined the University in 1952. During my four
year stay in Aligarh, I resided in Mumtaz Hostel, Aftab Hostel and
S.S.West. I was actively involved in sports and Student Union
activities. Upon completion of under-graduate degree in 1956, I left
for Europe in 1958 and studied at the University of London and
Technische Hochscule, Aachen, Germany. In 1962, I left for Canada and
taught Applied Mathematics at the University of Manitoba and Red River
College, Canada.
Books and Publications
I have authored eight books in the field of Applied
Mathematics for Engineering and Science and International Affairs. My
book "IN SEARCH OF PEACE" had a foreword by Lord Douglas Home, former
Prime Minister of Great Britain. My other publication "THE STRUGGLE
FOR PEACE" has been recently released with an introduction by
Professor Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American
University, Washington. The Aligarh Muslim University provided me with
valuable experience.
Encouraging Campus Life
I found that the Campus life activities were
built around the concepts of encouraging each community member to
express his or her talents and to respect all members of our
pluralistic community. One of the University's most distinctive
characteristics, I experienced was its closely knit and integrated
residential community. I had also the distinct honour of my close
association with Dr. Zakir Husain, Vice-Chancellor of this eminent
university. Dr. Zakir Hussain was an imposing embodiment of culture
and refinement. He was sensitive to beauty in all its forms and had an
intense passion for excellence. He was also a personal friend of my
father Syed Ahsan Shere. Dr. Zakir Husain went to the University of
Berlin for higher studies in 1923 with my uncle Syed Hamid Shere,
returning with a doctorate in Economics three years later. He rejoined
the Jamia Millia in February-March, 1926 and became the Shaikhu Jamia
(Vice-Chancellor). It was at the Jamia Millia that Dr. Zakir Hussain
developed his gifts as an educationist. It was his experience here as
well as his deep study of the philosophy of education which enable him
to take charge of the scheme of Basic National Education when it was
launched in 1938.
Close Knit Family
We are blessed with three children, Sahba, Sheraz
and Feraz. Sheraz did his post-graduate studies at Princeton
University. He was the youngest Vice-President with the American
Express in New York. At the moment Sheraz is working for "GOOGLE" in
Sanfrancisco. Our youngest son Feraz graduated in Chemical Engineering
and M.B.A from the university of Toronto. He is working for "SCOTIA
CAPITAL" in Investment Banking in Toronto. Only last year (2008) my
wife Parvin Shere and I spent some of the best times of our lives in
Algarh. We stayed in Hafeez Manzil with my Bhabi Shanaz and her
children Faisal Shere, Hasan Shere and their wives. During our stay in
Aligarh Parvin's book "KIRCHIAN"(2nd Edition) was launched. Parvin is
an artist, poet and musician. Her extensive travel throughout Europe
and particularly in developing countries triggered in her a need to
enlighten her audience about the dualistic nature of this world. The
oppressed has a profound effect on her work. Her visual art has been
shown extensively in Canada, U.S.A., England, France and India. Her
work is displayed in many prominent public and private collection
internationally. She has received several awards for her paintings.
She has composed CD'S of poetry and music for UNICEF to help raise
funds for underprivileged children globally. Parvin's book "KIRCHIAN"
is also in the collection of Maulana Azad Library in Aligarh.
Maulana Azad Library And Its Valuable Collections
I was very impressed visiting thev library, surrounded by 4.75 acres of land
in the form of beautiful lawns and gardens. It is the most beautiful
building of the University and one of the few very attractive
libraries in India. I was told by the Chief Librarian that the Library
has approximately 900,000 books. It is because of these rich
collections of immense research value that this Library is reckoned
among major libraries of the world. The oldest manuscript owned by the
library is more than fourteen hundred years old. It is a fragment of
the Quran transcribed by Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam and is
written on parchment in Kufi script. Another rare collection is the
Halnama of Beyazid Ansari, no copy of which is available anywhere else
in the world. Aligarh Muslim University is an experience. The academic
program is demanding, which students appreciate, and it prepares
students for not only the work force but also top-notch graduate
schools. Students who take full advantage of what Aligarh has to offer
have the opportunity to work with some of the most talented professors
and scholars in the world on an idyllic campus. They graduate with one
of the best educations in the country and with all the connections the
alumni experience has to offer. Some students may not realize the
significance of the Aligarh Muslim University experience until they
march on to the new world. As long as I live, I will always cherish
the memory of this renowned institution. Whatever I am today, it is
mainly due to the education I received at this outstanding
institution.
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