He stood for the cause of higher education

Prof. A.M. Pathan, who headed two central varsities and introduced many new courses, to lay down office as CUK V-C on June 30

Prof A.M. Pathan

Abdul Jaleel Khan M. Pathan, popularly known in academic circles as Prof A.M. Pathan, would be laying down office as Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Karnataka (CUK) on June 30 after completing his illustrious service in the field of higher education in different capacities, including the rare honour of being the Vice-Chancellor of two Central Universities and serving as Vice-Chancellor of Karnatak University, Dharwad, for two consecutive terms.

During his 14 years as the Vice-Chancellor of Karnatak University, Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad, and Central University of Karnataka in Gulbarga, Prof. Pathan had set new standards to improve the quality of education and extend the reach of higher education to all sections of society.

A reputed geologist, who specialised in ore geology, he had completed his undergraduation and postgraduation in Karnatak University before doing his Ph.D. in Bangalore University. A bright student throughout his career, he was awarded the Wrangler Dr. D.C. Pavate Award for scoring the highest marks in B.Sc and won the same award in the M.Sc examinations of Karnatak University.

Prof. Pathan strengthened every institution that he led and was sensitive to the social engagement of the institution with its stakeholders. Life Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of India (MSI), he is presently its Vice-President. He had also held the post of President of the Association of Indian Universities by virtue of being the seniormost Vice-Chancellor.

Market-friendly courses

Dr. Pathan, who served as the Vice-Chancellor of Karnatak University for two terms from July 1996 to July 2002, was responsible for improving and strengthening the infrastructure of various departments and providing state-of-the-art laboratories and had introduced several vocational and market-friendly courses such as seed technology, tissue culture, food processing, corporate secretary, international economic and business, and biotechnology.

As the second Vice-Chancellor of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University, a Central University established by an Act of Parliament, he improved the reach and quality of the distance education offered by the University, benefitting more than 1.56 lakh learners in140 study centres in all the States and Union Territoriesof the country. A study centre was also established in Saudi Arabia for the benefit of the expatriate Urdu learners and he initiated steps to establish similar study centres in the U.K. and the U.S.

Prof. Pathan was responsible for introducing CBSE education in Urdu medium in the model schools established by the university in the educationally backward and Urdu-speaking majority areas such as Darbhanga.

He was a member of the site selection committee constituted by the Union Government and the UGC for establishing the Central University in the educationally backward Gulbarga district.

As the first Vice-Chancellor of the CUK, Prof. Pathan introduced many new courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and was responsible for introducing a unique integrated course for the students coming out of PUC. The Central University of Karnataka also offered PG and Research programmes in English, Kannada, Hindi, Economics, Social Works, Commerce, Applied Geography and Geoinformatics, Psychology, Mathematics, Physics, and MCA, and a diploma in educational counselling.

Prof. Pathan opened the doors of the CUK for girl students hailing from the economically weaker sections by waiving the course fee and hostel fees.

The CUK also offered merit-cum-means scholarship to the extent of 20 per cent of the tuition fees collected in each course and a scholarship of Rs. 5,000 per month in addition to annual contingency of Rs. 12,000 to all the Ph.D. scholars in the University.