During the national struggle movement for the independence of India, the leaders of the non-cooperation movement, under the able leadership of Mahatma Gandhi were joined by a large number of present and past students at the university mosque on 29 October 1920 established a national university Jamia Millia Islamia and its headquarter was the Old Boys’ Lodge, Aligarh.
AMU Alumni as Institution Builders
A university is known by its alumni, its faculties, its history, contribution to the advancement of knowledge. AMU Alumni are deeply, emotionally attached to their alma-mater and their emotional bond brings us together with great gust to, as is evident in the AMU Old Boys’ get together across the globe.
More than 500 educational institutions have been established by the Aligarh Muslim University Alumni in different parts of the world.
Jamia Millia Islamia
Mauala Mohammad Ali, Shaukat Ali, Abdul Majid Khwaja, Dr Zakir Hussain and Several others established Jamia at Aligarh and the first convocation was held at Aligarh.
Photo: Mahatma Gandhi with Dr. Zakir Husain
Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
Two distinguished alumni of AMU Sir Ross Masood and Maulvi Abdul Haque, baba-e-Urdu (the father of Urdu), played very important role for the establishment of Osmania University, named after its founder, Mir Osman Ali Khan, Nizam of Hyderabad (who later served as the chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University).
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
After the retirement, the AMU VC Mr Syed Hamid played an important role for the establishment of Jamia Hamdard under the patronage of Hakeem Abdul Hameed (who later served as the chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University). Mr. Syed Hamid, an AMU alumnus also served as the Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard.
Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, Rampur, India
A distinguished alumnus of AMU and former secretary of the AMU Students’ Union Mr Mohammad Azam Khan established Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in 2006. The UGC granted recognition to it in 2012. It was granted minority status by National Commission for Minority Educational Institution in 2013.
University of Science and Technology, Meghalya, India
UTSM was established by a computer science graduate of Aligarh Muslim University Mr. Mehboobul Haq in 2011. Now he is chancellor of this university.
Dr. Abdul Haque Urdu University, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India
This university is named after Dr. Abdul Haque, a renowned educationist, philanthropist and founder of Osmania College Kurnool. He served the AMU as its PVC. The objectives of this university are to promote and develop the Urdu language.
Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University, Aligarh, India
Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh (1886-1979) was a great freedom fighter who was the president of the Indian Government in Exile during First World War in 1915 in Kabul. Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh was admitted to the MAO College, Aligarh in 1895. The Govt of Uttar Pradesh established Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University at Aligarh in 2021 to cherish his memory and legacy.
Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Pakistan
AMU Alumnus Er. Zille Ahmad Nizami, the president of AMU Alumni Association Pakistan, established a university in the name of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 1993 with Zakir Ali Khan as its secretary. This university works in accordance with a philosophy that was the driving force for Aligarh Movement. This philosophy was Initiated by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and developed by relentless work by his associates and followers.
Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
Sir Ziauddin’s daughter, Dr. Aijaz Fatima and his son in law Dr. Tajammul established a private university in 1986 as a memory of Dr. Sir Ziauddin an illustrious alumnus of MAO College, Aligarh. In 1995, the Sindh Assembly passed an act of the Ziauddin Medical University.
Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies, University of Oxford, UK
Farhan Nizami, an illustrious son of Professor KA Nizami, did his BA and MA (History) at AMU established Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies in 1985. Farhan Nizami was awarded the commander of the order of British Empire (CBE) for services to Islamic studies in 2006. He was also awarded Sir Syed International Excellence Award in 2019 by his alma-mater i.e. AMU. The Prince of Wales is its Patron and the centre was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth in 2012.
Institutions in Bangladesh
Mr. Humayun Rasheed Chaudhary, a distinguished alumnus of the Aligarh Muslim University was the first Alig to become the president of United Nations Organisation (UNO), established a separate seven-storied building of the AMU Old Boys’ Association, Bangladesh Unit at Dhaka.