The Department of Electrical Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), successfully organised an Alumni-Parents-Employer-Teachers Meet on March 27, 2025 in the Committee Room of Nehru Guest House of the university. The event served as a platform for fostering meaningful engagement between academia, industry, and alumni, with the goal of enhancing student development, academic excellence, and professional opportunities.
The gathering provided an avenue for discussion on various aspects of academic growth, industry needs, and future collaborations. The meet also aimed to strengthen the bond between the department and its various stakeholders, ensuring that student training remains relevant to industry standards while also incorporating parental expectations and alumni experiences.
The Head of the Department, Prof. Shahida Khatoon, addressed the gathering and presented an overview of the department’s remarkable progress. She highlighted the department’s achievements in student placements, research publications, and overall academic growth. She emphasised the role of collective efforts from faculty, alumni, parents, and industry professionals in shaping a strong and future-ready curriculum.
Prof. Shahida also mentioned new initiatives undertaken by the department, including collaborations with industries for internship programs, research grants, and enhanced lab facilities. She appreciated the alumni for their continued engagement and contributions, acknowledging their role in mentoring current students.
Dr. Satya Prakash Prasad, OSD to the Vice-Chancellor, applauded the department’s initiatives and emphasised the importance of fostering continuous dialogue between academia and industry. He reiterated the university’s commitment to supporting the department’s efforts in enhancing research, innovation, and industry partnerships.
A special mention was made of the esteemed presence of former faculty members, including Prof. Moinuddin, Prof. H. E. Akhtar, and Prof. Ibraheem. They appreciated the continuous growth of the department and reflected on the progress made over the years. They encouraged faculty and students to maintain the tradition of academic excellence and to actively engage in research and innovation. Their insights added great value to the event, inspiring both faculty and students to aim for greater accomplishments.
The interactive discussions featured valuable contributions from alumni, parents, and employers. Alumni shared their professional journeys, offering insights into how their education at Jamia shaped their careers. They provided feedback on ways to further align the curriculum with industry requirements. Parents voiced their aspirations for their children and appreciated the department’s efforts in providing a strong educational foundation. Employers, representing leading companies, discussed industry expectations and the skills required for engineering graduates to thrive in the workforce. Their perspectives were invaluable in refining the department’s approach to technical education and professional training.
One of the key highlights of the meet was an address by Prof. A. Q. Ansari, who provided insights into the upcoming NBA Accreditation Visit scheduled for April 11–13, 2025. He elaborated on the rigorous accreditation process and emphasized the importance of comprehensive feedback from all stakeholders, including parents, alumni, and employers.
Prof. Ansari explained that NBA accreditation plays a crucial role in improving the quality of education by ensuring that programs meet industry and academic standards. He stressed that the accreditation process evaluates the effectiveness of the curriculum, faculty expertise, student performance, and industry engagement. He urged all attendees to actively participate in the accreditation process by providing constructive feedback, which will help strengthen the department’s overall academic framework.
The department expressed its sincere gratitude to all attendees for their valuable inputs and participation. The meet successfully reinforced the commitment of the Department towards academic excellence, research innovation, and strong industry collaborations. The feedback gathered from this meet will be instrumental in shaping the department’s strategies moving forward.
Prof. Z. A. Jaffery delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing his enthusiasm for fostering stronger partnerships with alumni, parents, and employers in the years ahead.
The event was coordinated by Professor Majid Jamil, who facilitated productive and engaging discussions among the attendees, making the occasion a resounding success.
In another development, Padma Bhushan Prof. Kapil Kapoor Delivers Insightful Lecture on ‘What is Indian Knowledge System?’ at Jamia.
The Department of English, Jamia Millia Islamia, successfully hosted the 17th Ahmed Ali Memorial Lecture, featuring Padma Bhushan Prof. Kapil Kapoor as the distinguished speaker.
The Ahmed Ali Memorial Lecture is instituted in honour of the renowned writer, academic and co-founder of the Progressive Writers’ Movement, Ahmed Ali.
Prof. Kapoor delivered an enlightening lecture on the topic, ‘What is Indian Knowledge System?’, shedding light on the integrated and harmonious nature of Indian intellectual traditions.
In his address, Prof. Kapoor emphasized that Indian tradition is an integrated tradition, where the thinking system does not rest on differentiation but instead embraces the concept of ‘no other outside you.’ He elaborated on how Indian thought systems are based on harmony rather than difference, advocating for a perspective that fosters inclusivity and unity in intellectual discourse.
A key highlight of his lecture was the assertion that every object of knowledge is amenable to endless inquiry, reinforcing the boundless nature of intellectual exploration in Indian traditions. He further remarked that ideas transcend boundaries of religion, color, and caste, asserting that intellectual traditions should remain open and inclusive to all.
Prof. Kapoor also provided a deep dive into seminal texts of the Indian intellectual tradition, citing Bharata Muni’s Natya Shastra, Panini’s Astadhyayi—recognized as the only comprehensive and exhaustive algorithmic grammar of natural human language, Bhartrhari’s Vakyapadiya, and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Discussing yoga, he highlighted its two-fold goal: enabling the mind to acquire speed and developing the capacity to experience something without directly experiencing it.
The lecture provided a thought-provoking exploration of the rich and expansive Indian Knowledge System, offering students and faculty a renewed understanding of India’s philosophical and intellectual heritage.
Earlier, Prof. Mukesh Ranjan, Head of Department, welcomed Prof. Kapil Kapoor on behalf of the Department, faculty, students and the entire Jamia Millia Islamia community and thanked him with deepest gratitude for gracing the university with his presence. Prof. Kapoor’s presence offered an opportunity to delve into profound discussions that resonate across disciplines and cultures, he added. He further observed that Prof. Kapoor’s contributions to the field of linguistics, literary theory and Indian Knowledge systems have been exemplary, and his deep insights into the intersection of language, culture, and philosophy continue to inspire generations of students and scholars alike.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Iqtedar Mohd. Khan, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Languages, highlighted the strengths of India’s syncretic culture and profusely thanked Prof. Kapoor for his keen and learned insights attesting to the robustness of Indian tradition and culture.
Abhilasha Bhattacharjee, a student from MA Semester IV, proposed a vote of thanks expressing her admiration for Prof Kapoor’s profound thoughts that bring all Indians together on a common platform to take our legacy of knowledge forward.
The Department of English, Jamia Millia Islamia, remains committed to fostering discussions on diverse intellectual traditions through such lectures and academic engagements.
