Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis

Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis,
Vice-Chancellor,
Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh

Prof.PK Abdul Azis is Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University since June 11, 2007.

He has 28 years of extremely active and productive career working in the Kerala Agricultural University as Assistant Professor, in the University of Kerala as UGC Research Associate, Lecturer, Reader and Professor and in the Research and Development Centre of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Chairman and Vice-Chairman at the Department of Ecology and Marine Biology. Prof. Azis has spent his most fruitful years in the University of Kerala working on the ecology of diverse types of aquatic ecosystems such as coastal waters and beaches, estuaries, freshwater lakes, rivers and the impact of river basin projects and other human activities on ecosystems and their sustainability. His work in the University has earned national and international recognition and was instrumental in getting substantial funding from UGC, ISRO, NTPC and STEC. As a Research guide, he had successfully supervised the Ph.D programmes of several candidates and it is worth mentioning that the first thesis submitted under him was selected as the best Ph.D thesis from Indian Universities in 1993 and given the Jawaharlal Nehru award. The University of Kerala has awarded the most coveted degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) for his contributions in the field of Ecology in 2004.

As Vice-Chancellor of the Cochin University of Science and Technology during November, 2004 to June, 2007, Prof. Abdul Azis provided effective leadership in re-gaining the S&T focus of the University and raised it to the status of IIEST (Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology) – a new generation world class institution, the Government of India is establishing during the XI Plan.

Prof. Abdul Azis has organized the first ever ‘International Education Meet’ at the instance of the Government of Kerala in February 2006, and the Indo-Australian Round Table on Equity and Social Justice in May 2006.

Prof. Abdul Azis received the Honorary Fellowship of the Indian Zoological Society in 2006 and the Society of Fisheries Technologist (India) in 2005 for his outstanding contributions to Science. He is member in the Court of the Indian Institute of Science representing the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) since 2007.

Prof. Azis had his early education completed in the Govt. Primary, Upper Primary and Higher Secondary School, Thodupuzha. He is an Alumnus of the U.C. College, Aluva and the St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam. He obtained his Masters from the Department of Marine Biology and Oceanography of the Cochin University of Science and Technology and the Ph.D. and D.Sc. from the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala.

As Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University since June 11, 2007 he has taken important initiatives to attain academic excellence and re-position AMU as a world-class University in India. In his vision 2020, Vice-Chancellor has sought appropriate funds for Restoration of Heritage Buildings, Establishment of Institute of Nanosciences and Nano Technology, Upgradation of Z H College of Engineering & Technology, J N Medical College and Women’s College, Establishment of Department of Agricultural Biotechnology in the Faculty of Agriculture Sciences, Establishment of College of Nursing, Strengthening of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Central Library (Online subscription of all subjects of Science -direct), Establishment of Central Instrumentation facility, Establishment AMU Institute of Management Studies & Research, Construction of Four Central Canteens and one small canteen in each Hall of Residence, construction of Convention Center, Construction of residential quarters for employees, Construction of Guest Houses, Construction of Community Center, Construction of Examination and Admission Center, Development of infrastructure for games & sports, Establishment of Telemedicine Center, Upgradation of the Centre for Promotion of Education and Cultural Advancement of Muslims Of India.

Prof PK Abdul Azis organised a World Summit of AMU Alumni for the first time in the history of Aligarh on October 18-19 2008. The two day summit deliberated on the ways and means of placing AMU on the global educational map. It also explored the various other possibilities of setting up AMU Alumni Foundation with a budget of Rs 100 crores for the modernisation of the University. Professor PK Abdul Azis said, "The world summit is organised to promote the legacy of Sir Syed and to channelise the immense potential of AMU Alumni for the development and expansion of the university on a scale that is befitting to its glorious stature.

He has given remedies and sown seeds and the results are before everyone to see.

AMU is on the march onwards and upwards.