K.A. Jaleel, 90, educationist and former Vice-Chancellor of Calicut University, died at a private hospital at Kozhikode on Wednesday. The funeral will take place at Masjidul Azhar, Farook College, on Thursday morning.
Prof. Jaleel held many positions of eminence during his long span of career stretching over half a century. As principal of Farook College from 1957 to 1979, he etched an unparalleled name for himself.
He was the founder-chairman of the Social Advancement Foundation of India (SAFI), chairman of the Wakf Board, advisor to the All India Muslim Educational Society and Kerala Muslim Educational Society, trustee of P.M. Foundation, president of the Calicut English Association, and vice-president of the Raulathul Uloom Association.
People from different walks of life condoled Prof. Jaleel’s death. P.K. Abdul Azis, former Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, said that the country had lost an eminent educationalist. “It was Prof. Jaleel who lifted Farook College to one of the top ranking institutions in the country,” Dr. Azis said.
Born in 1922 at North Paravur, he had his higher education from U.C. College, Aluva, and University College, Thiruvananthapuram.
He taught the English language at Farook College for eight years before assuming charge of the principal. He was Vice-Chancellor of Calicut University from 1979 to 1983. He was member of Madras University Academic Council, Calicut University Syndicate and Senate, Cochin University of Science and Technology Senate, State Public Board of Examination, Higher Education Council, and UGC Academic Centres Committee.
He penned such books as ‘Hasya Prakasham’, ‘Encyclopaedia in Malayalam’, ‘The Muslim Presence in Kerala’, ‘New Horizons’, and ‘You Build Your Own Future’.
He won such awards as I.C. Chacko Award of the Kerala Sahitya Academy, Shah Sahib Award, Ramasramam Award, and Rotary Award for Excellence in Education.
He is survived by wife E.T. Noorjahan, and four children. His body will be kept at Farook College Auditorium from 7 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. for the public to pay homage. The same venue will witness a condolence meeting at 3 p,m.
