Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) needs as many collaborations as possible, both with other reputed universities of the world and with the industry, Chancellor Zafar Sareshwala said on Thursday while talking to the Intellectual Forum on the “Role of Urdu university in education of Muslims in India.” He was addressing a gathering of intellectuals and public figures of Hyderabad at MANUU.
Sareshwala further said that the challenge before MANUU is to create a balance between promotion of Urdu and employability of its students. He reiterated his firm conviction that quality education is must for the progress of any community or nation. Ziauddin Nayyar, acting president Iqbal Academy, Hyderabad, who the discussion, cited two common fallacies responsible for discrimination against Urdu in India: One, that it is a foreign language. Two, that it is a language of Muslims. Terming both notions incorrect, he called Urdu a language of the masses, which is secular in form and content.
Noted author, columnist and former top civil servant Narendra Luther on the other hand was of the opinion that the real issue is all Indian languages versus English, and not one Indian language versus the other. He said that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan realised the importance of English way back in 1877 and made it the medium of instruction in the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College.
At this point Prof. Mohammad Miyan, Vice-Chancellor, MANUU informed the participants that University has already made general English compulsory for (all? Or UG?) students. Talking about the issue of vacant seats in some courses, he said that if there is continuity of Urdu medium education from school level to UG, PG and research then we can solve this problem.
Former professor of Osmania University, Fatima Ali Khan was of the view that knowledge of English and education in Urdu medium are not incompatible. Citing UN’s recommendations, she said that providing education in ones mother tongue is the way forward. Urging the university to focus on first generation learners she said that “those who can look after themselves are already looking after themselves; those who cannot are our responsibility.”
Registrar MANUU, Professor S. M. Rahmatullah said that quality of education, rather than medium of education, is connected to employability.
According to V.S. Prasad, former director, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), the debate is not about Urdu versus English, but rather Urdu and English. According to him language, other than its communicative dimension, also has a cultural dimension. He suggested that MANUU should establish its campuses throughout the country.
Referring to the growing interest in all things Indian in the West, Anjun Babu Khan said that MANUU can become a hub of language learning for foreign students. She also suggested that MANUU should start job-oriented skill training courses for people who do not have much formal education and come from Urdu background.
Emphasising Urdu’s importance, Shahid Hussain, a social activist said that it carries within itself at least 2000 years of our history.
Mazhar Husain, Convener COVA, said that Urdu has no future if it gets linked to a particular religion.
Prof. Mohd. Zafaruddin, Dean, School of Mass Communication & Journalism, said that promotion of Urdu is possible only by using Urdu as a medium of education, not merely by teaching Urdu literature. Dispelling the belief that studying through Urdu medium renders a person unemployable, he informed the participants that most of the MANUU’s B.Ed. graduates are already in jobs.
Presenting vote of thanks, Professor Rahmatullah said that the Sareshwala may not be an education expert, but he sure is an education thinker.
The programme, as per tradition, started with the recitation of the verses of the Holy Quran. After which the tarana of the university was played. Ayoob Ali Khan, Honourary Media Coordinator, and Abid Wasay, PRO, conducted the proceedings.
Among those who participate included the Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Khwaja M. Shahid; and J.M. Lyngdoh, former Chief Election Commissioner; Jannat Hussain, Chief Information Commissioner; Professor Salma Ahmed Farooqui, Director, H.K. Sherwani Centre of Deccan Studie; Lakshmi Devi Raj. Social activist S. A. Huda, IPS, Ehsan Raza IPS, and Sajjad Shahid, Conservation activist etc., (INN)