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At Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Mahbubul Hoque was the resident of Jubilee Hostel 17, VM Hall. He completed BSc with Honours in Chemistry and Masters in Computer Application from AMU in the year 2000 and came back to his native state Assam with a vision to do something in the field of education. Chairman of Education Research and Development Foundation, under which 11 educational institutions are now operating, and the founder Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, Mahbubul Hoque says that the biggest inspiration one can draw from the life of AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is of ‘institution building’. He learnt ‘institution building’ at AMU and has been trying to carry forward the vision of Sir Syed. AMU Centenary Alumni Meet-2021 Held Online Aligarh: “Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is in my bloodstream. I attended the STS School and later joined the University for an Engineering Degree and what I learnt at AMU, within the classrooms and on the beautiful campus, has powerfully and indelibly shaped my thinking and my career,” said Dr Hasan Kamil, Chair of the Board at University of California, Santa Cruz, USA. He was speaking as the Chief Guest of the online Centenary Alumni Meet-2021. I fondly remember how my history teacher, Tauqueer Sahab at Minto Circle (STS School) use to encourage me for achieving the best in life. Speaking on how Covid-19 pandemic has impacted global higher education, Dr Kamil pointed out that the landscape for higher education is always evolving. In the past year, the pandemic has catalyzed unprecedented levels of change, leaving many students with the same question: what will the future of college look like? “Several trends have emerged that foreshadow what might be next for higher education. One of the most notable changes is the mass transition to online learning. From four-year schools to trade programs and community colleges, every type of higher education institution is being impacted by this shift to online learning,” he said. Dr Kamil added: “Since the beginning of the Covid crisis, many universities lost a lot of funds, but the pandemic accelerated new technological methods for imparting education. While some universities are operating completely online, some have adopted the hybrid models of online-offline education.” He emphasised that the universities adopting new technologies will succeed, while the other will fail. Dr Kamil spoke of how virtual reality method is used in medical education and how 3D printing allows educators to design rich learning experiences for deep theoretical constructs that bring learning from computer screens into students’ hands. “AMU can also adopt these new technological trends and I am glad that serious efforts are being made at the University,” he added. Dr Kamil stressed the need to powerfully mobilise alumni, and engage them on the university’s ambitious plans. “The alumni are most potent assets, and best brand ambassadors for universities. I think, the alumni connection with their alma mater has a long way to go – alumni have significant work to do in building the brand of their alma mater,” he asserted. In the presidential address, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor said, “Alumni are our source of strength. They have supported us in times of crisis.” He added that the university stands proud of the alumni’s achievements. “It is a matter of pride for us that Prof Hasan Kamil’s Centre at San Francisco is not only helping the Indian community, but also people of other nationalities; our alumna, Prof Najma Akhtar has brought laurels by becoming the first-ever woman Vice Chancellor of a Central University in India; Mr Tariq Chauhan helped scores of our students with employment, Mr Mahbubul Hoque is doing tremendous work to educate the underprivileged in the North-East and Mr Noorul Hasan, a fine IPS officer with a brilliant academic record is inspiring students to qualify UPSC exams,” emphasised the Vice Chancellor. Prof Mansoor stressed that he is taking forward the hard work of previous Vice Chancellors Prof P K Abdul Azis and Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (Veteran) in strengthening ties with the alumni. He pointed out that AMU Alumni Directory 2020 will help us to connect with alumni as a family. The Vice Chancellor, who also released the Alumni Directory on the occasion said, “It is just the beginning of a long journey. The Digital edition of the directory available online will act as a smart way of reaching out to the alumni”. He further spoke on the role of J N Medical College (JNMC) in the fight against Covid-19. “We are not only inoculating people to keep the virus at bay, but our health workers are working day and night as frontline warriors in the fight against the Coronavirus,” said Prof Mansoor. Attending the programme as one of the Guests-of Honour, Prof Najma Akhtar (Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia) said: “Alumni, in general, greatly love the universities they have graduated from. The emotive attachment to our alma mater is typically far stronger than our attachment to any other brand in our life. It has emotions of pride, happiness, gratitude and nostalgia.” She spoke about how education and work in AMU taught her to carry out administrative assignments in an efficient way and how Jamia Millia Islamia traces its roots from AMU. “Many of Jamia faculty members and students are AMU alumni”, she said calling out for strong bond of AMU and Jamia through alumni association chapters. Eminent UAE based entrepreneur, Mr Tariq Chauhan spoke on the values and resilience that he learnt during his student life at AMU. He pointed out that AMU taught him the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events. Mr Chauhan further said that he would not have been able to build a billion-dollar business without the AMU pass-outs, who joined his enterprise as employees. He stressed the need to bring on board all alumni at the best positions to create a knowledge sharing platform. Mr Chauhan assured support to AMU in terms of infrastructure and knowledge. “Please… Continue reading AMU Centenary Celebration and Mahbubul Hoque

Master Plan 9th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi, September 29, 2022: The “PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital”—a mega dream project of the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya and its founder Chancellor Shri Mahbubul Hoque—will see the beginning of implementation with the grand foundation laying ceremony to be held on the 3rd of October 2022 at the proposed medical college ground at USTM Campus. Eminent doctors from all over the North East and from various parts of the country and abroad including Dr R. C. Deka, former Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr Dhrubajyoti Borah, Vice Chancellor, Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences, Madam Rhonda Vetere, Global Leader from USA; Dr Abdul Wase, Prof. of Medicine, USA; Mr Faisal Masood, Managing Partner, EO, USA will be present at USTM for the foundation laying ceremony. The foundation laying will be done by Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya. The Chief Minister will also address the programme after the foundation laying ceremony. The welcome address in the programme will be made by Shri Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor, USTM while the presidential speech will be delivered by Shri R.S. Mooshahary, Hon’ble former Governor of Meghalaya. The programme will also be addressed by Madam Rhonda Vetere, Shri Lahkmen Rymbui, Hon’ble Home and Education Minister; Dr Abdul Wase, Dr Dhrubajyoti Borah, Mr Faisal Masood, Shri Dasakhitbha Lamare, Hon’ble Transport and PWD Minister; Shri James Sangma, Hon’ble Health Minister. Prof GD Sharma, VC, USTM will offer the vote of thanks. The ceremony will be also graced by Lt Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah, Former VC, AMU; Dr. N. K. Choudhury, Principal Advisor, ERDF & former VC, Gauhati University; Dr. Mihir Kanti Choudhury, former Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University; Dr. A. C. Kotoki, Director, BBCI Guwahati; Dr Mirza Waqar Beg, Dr Mirza Aslam Beg, Dr Khursheed Alam, Ex University Health Officer, Aligarh; Dr. Sufian Beg from AMU; Dr. Sujit Bordhan, Registrar, SSUHS; Dr. Ilias Ali, Global Hospital, Hatigoan; Dr. Anup Barman, Director of Medical Education; Dr. Manoj Choudhury, Associate Director of Medical Education; Dr. S. K. Borthakur, Department of Botany, GU; Dr. B. P. Sharma, Ayurvedic College; Prof. M. H. Hazarika, Former Dean, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat; Dr. MLA Rahman, Director, Rahman Hospital; Mr. P. J. Barua, Executive Editor, The Assam Tribune; Mr. Aseem Kazi, Programme Executive, All India Radio; Dr. Prasanta Rajguru, Editor-in-Chief, Prag News; Mr Pranay Bordoloi, Editor- In- Chief, DA News Plus, apart from other distinguished guests. One of the main features of the Medical College and Hospital is a 200-bedded super speciality hospital with all kinds of technological facilities with cutting-edge research. Moreover, following its mission, this hospital will be made completely free for poor patients. Another significant perspective of this noble initiative is its emphasis on extensive research on healthcare. This new institution has its unique target: to attract patients and students from the ASEAN countries. During the initial stage, it will specially target patients and students from Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

Raj Bhavan, Shillong, August 27, 2022: Acknowledging and expressing appreciation for outstanding accomplishments, the Governor of Meghalaya Shri Satya Pal Malik has conferred the highest and prestigious award, “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service-2022” upon Shri Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya for his pioneering and outstanding contribution in the field of Higher and Technical Education, one who established all his educational institutions mainly in rural areas of Meghalaya and Assam. Padma Shri Ms Trinity Saioo, a school teacher who led a silent revolution mobilising more than 800 rural women to set up Self Help Groups for growing turmeric through organic farming methods, also received the Governor’s Excellence Award on the same occasion. The conferment of the awards by the Hon’ble Governor was held yesterday evening at the Raj Bhavan Shillong in the presence of an august gathering. Accepting the Award, Mahbubul Hoque thanked the Hon’ble Governor and the people of Meghalaya for giving him the opportunity to serve the society spreading higher and technical education as well as various outreach activities. He recalled the cooperation extended by Late Dr Donkupar Roy, former LS Speaker and Chief Minister P. A. Sangma and the former Governor R.S. Mooshahary and overall support by the officers. Conferring the excellence awards, the Hon’ble Governor Shri Satya Pal Malik said that Mahbubul Hoque is a visionary educationist and passionate in institution building targeting rural areas. His dedication, selfless contribution for the cause of education has created an impact in the education sector which has been observed by every person. “Shri Hoque is a passionate visionary who relentlessly works to build a self-reliant society through need-based education by establishing institutions”, he said. Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Shri Pravin Bakshi, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor said that this Award is the first step taken by the Meghalaya Governor’s office as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in recognizing individuals for their remarkable public service. Born to a rural family at the remote Purabgul village in Assam’s Karimganj district, Mahbubul Hoque had a turbulent early life as he lost his parents and supportive elder brother during childhood. He had to earn by doing private tuitions and selling home grown vegetables in the local market to continue his studies. A Masters in Computer Science from the prestigious AMU, he got lucrative job offers from MNCs and IT industries of the country as well as abroad but he decided to come back to his native place with a vision and embarked on a career of educational entrepreneurship. His humble journey began with 1 computer and 4 students from a rented room in Guwahati, with only 85 rupees in his pocket. He assembled computers and sold them in the market to earn revenue to set up a computer lab. Initially, challenge was such that even landlords were unwilling to rent him in view of his financial condition. However, his study center Central IT College became the second-best study‐center of Manipal Group in the whole country. There was no looking back. In order to strengthen the education infrastructure of the North East, Mahbubul Hoque set up the Education, Research and Development Foundation (ERDF) in 2005 under his chairmanship. A number of pioneer educational institutions were established under ERDF umbrella catering education from KG to PG to Ph.D. through two CBSE affiliated Senior Secondary Schools, one AICTE approved Engineering College, two PCI approved Pharmacy Colleges, one BCI approved Law School, one AICTE approved Business School, one NCTE approved B. Ed. College, one Women’s College and his largest dream venture—University of Science & Technology Meghalaya where more than 5000 students are now pursuing higher education. The University has been accredited “A” Grade by NAAC in its 1st Cycle of assessment in 2021, a rare achievement. USTM is now placed among the top 200 universities of India in NIRF-2022 Ranking. The institutions set up by him are imparting quality education to more than 10,000 students, of which 35% are from indigenous tribes, 20% belong to underprivileged backward classes and receive Free Education, 80% from rural areas, 57% are girl students. More than 1200 teaching, administrative and non-teaching staffs are working for the growth of the institutions under his dynamic leadership. One of the most important features of the university is that more than 30 community and tribe students from the whole of north eastern states are studying in the university. A recipient of ‘Shikshacharya Award-2019’ bestowed by Asam Sahitya Sabha and many such awards for his contribution in the field of higher education including the recent Community Excellence Award to USTM by UNESCO, Mahbubul Hoque has initiated numerous welfare activities such as Endowment Funds, Emergency Medical Assistance, Interest-Free Loans, Relief drives, Health camps, etc. He is extremely sensitive about environmental protection and efficient use of energy which reflects in adopting Green Campus Initiative for which USTM has already received many awards under the sustainable development goals of the UN. Under the USTM Neighbourhood Mission, various departments of USTM have adopted neighbouring villages and children from these villages are availing free and concessional education in the University. A unique initiative of Mahbubul Hoque is the introduction and implementation of the Pay Back Policy under which students who clear competitive examinations are given back their entire course fee. The future roadmap of USTM encompasses Research and Extension activities focussing on rural education and achieving its Milestones. He has set up Milestones to make USTM a World Class university by 2030 facilitating the state of Meghalaya as a global education destination by attracting students and scholars from across the world and nurturing local youths creating a global community. His current dream project is a Medical College and Hospital in Meghalaya with cutting edge research facilities. Establishing a women’s university in his native place Karimganj is another dream project submitted to Govt of Assam for enactment.