Celebration begins as Jamia turns 103
The Department of Architecture, Jamia Millia Islamia, celebrated the university’s 103rd foundation day on Friday with a captivating photography exhibition titled “Line Shapes and Spaces: a visual ode to Jamia.”
The event was attended by Jamia’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Najma Akhtar, and the Chief Guest, Professor Farhat Basir Khan, an eminent photographer and the founder of the Department of Design and Innovation at Jamia.
Several programmes have been scheduled for the grand celebration of Jamia’s Foundation Day, which started on Friday and will continue until October 31, 2023.
Founded on October 29, 1920 at Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Jamia was later shifted to Delhi. The five-day celebration will include a number of academic and cultural activities.
After inaugurating the photography exhibition, Najma Akhtar said the photos showcase Jamia’s history.
Professor Farhat Basir, a distinguished academician, a communication strategist, a media practitioner, and an innovator with several new media techniques and formats to his credit, was full of praise for the exhibition.
He said Jamia has a rich history, and these photos depict the university’s transformation from a small campus 103 years ago to an internationally recognised institution today.
The programme was also graced with other dignitaries from the university. The exhibition aimed to explore the intricate connections between architecture and photography, emphasising the fundamental elements of line, shape, and space.
Dr. Zakir Husain Library organised a Book Exhibition on the rare book collection pertaining to the History of Jamia. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Jamia Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Iqbal Husain in the presence of Prof. Tabrez Alam Khan, Professor Incharge, Dr. Zakir Husain Library, Dr. Sufian Ahmad, Offg. University Librarian, faculty members and members of the non teaching staff.
Rare books, archival newspapers and magazines depicting the making of Jamia were put on display in the exhibition. Some of the important literary works related to Jamia’s founders have also been showcased during the exhibition. The exhibition shall be on view till 31st October 2023.
As part of celebrations, a Blood Donation, Physiotherapy and Dental Check-up Camps were organized today at Gate No.7 of the university. The NSS Unit, Dr. M.A. Ansari Health Centre & Rotary Club jointly organised the Blood Donation Camp where more than 100 people donated blood in the mobile unit.
The Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences set up a camp where people were given physiotherapy treatment through advanced techniques while the Faculty of Dentistry (FoD) under the supervision of its Dean Prof. Keya Sircar, organised an oral health screening camp for the Jamia fraternity and their families.
The mobile dental bus of the FoD which is fully equipped with two dental chairs to carry our diagnostic and treatment procedures was utilised for this purpose. The dental camp focused on screening and creating awareness about dental trauma, oral precancer, tobacco associated oral lesions, maxillofacial defects requiring complex surgery and their rehabilitation.
The India Arab Cultural Centre (IACC), JMI organized a panel discussion on the topic “Palestine and the Arab World” at the Conference Hall of the Centre. Prof. A K Ramakrishnan of SIS, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Dr. Fazzur Rahman of Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) were the esteemed panelists who discussed about the current situation of Palestine and response of the world on it. Prof. Nasir Raza Khan Hony. Director of the Centre introduced the theme of the discussion and the speakers. Prof. Khan also highlighted the volatility of the topic and the current chaotic situation of the Arab world.
Dr. K. R. Narayanan Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies, JMI organised a captivating “Philatelic Exhibition: Babasaheb, An Extraordinary Philatelic Journey (1966-2023).” This meticulously curated exhibition, under the expert guidance of Dr. Vikas Kumar, a distinguished faculty member from the School of Development at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, offers an intimate portrayal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s multifaceted life and his enduring impact on society and the nation.
Prof. Muslim Khan, Dean, Faculty of Sciences, JMI inaugurated the exhibition. In his eloquent opening remarks, Prof. Mohd. Muslim Khan lauded Dr. Ambedkar as a luminous figure whose presence in discussions about India is indispensable. Prof. Padmanabh Samarendra, Director of the Centre, emphasized the imperative to view Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar within the broader context of intellectual tradition and philosophy.
The Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women’s Studies (SNCWS) and Premchand Archives & Literary Centre (JPALC) organized an event titled ‘Udaan: A Celebration of Jamia’s Women’ at the Centre for Information Technology Hall of the university.
The programme consisted of an exhibition of photographs curated by architect and designer Ronesh Roy about early women pioneers who made significant contributions to the then new university.
The event started with an inauguration of the exhibition by the Vice Chancellor Prof Najma Akhtar who delivered the inaugural address where she stressed the importance of gender inclusivity and stated women need to understand that leadership was not about a position but an attitude.
This was followed by a panel discussion where Dr. Syeda S. Hameed spoke about the women featured in the exhibition. Professor Bulbul Dhar, Hony Director made a slide show presentation on more contemporary women who have shaped the modern Jamia.
