Kolkata: Reaffirming its commitment to inclusive education and minority empowerment, Aliah University celebrated its 19th Foundation Day at its New Town campus on Sunday, highlighting its journey from a modest beginning to a growing centre of academic excellence with national and international collaborations.
The event was marked by a strong emphasis on the university’s role in uplifting educationally lagging communities, particularly Muslims in West Bengal, while also showcasing its academic progress, research output, and institutional development over nearly two decades.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Rafikul Islam underlined the university’s transformation since its inception in 2008, noting significant achievements in research, publications, and student placements. He credited the institution’s growth to the collective efforts of its academic and administrative community over the years, describing the progress as a result of “sustained dedication across generations of leadership and staff.”
From Historic Roots to Modern Academic Excellence
Speakers at the event repeatedly invoked the legacy of the historic Calcutta Madrasah, established in 1780, positioning Aliah University as a modern extension of that tradition. They stressed the university’s responsibility as a state minority institution to expand access to quality higher education while promoting inclusivity and diversity.
The celebration also highlighted the university’s recent academic milestone—securing a B+ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in November 2024—seen as a step toward strengthening its institutional credibility.
A Vibrant Showcase of Talent and Achievement
Beyond speeches, the Foundation Day reflected the campus’s academic and cultural vibrancy. Departments, along with units such as the Training and Placement Office, NSS, and NCC, showcased their achievements through stalls. An art gallery featuring student works and sale items drew significant attention, while a documentary tracing the university’s journey was screened.
The cultural segment brought together performances ranging from drama and mime to music, reflecting student creativity. The event also included a prize distribution ceremony honouring winners of competitions such as quiz, extempore, and tarana held during the Foundation Day week.
The annual report for the 2024–25 academic session and the Spring 2025 newsletter were released on the occasion, documenting the university’s academic and institutional progress.
The programme concluded with a renewed institutional resolve to deepen academic excellence, expand inclusivity, and strengthen its societal role.
Visionary Voices: Leaders Who Joined the Milestone Celebration
Among those present were Sk Abu Taher Kamruddin, President of the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education and former Vice-Chancellor of Aliah University; Ahmed Hassan Imran, Chairman of the West Bengal Minorities’ Commission; Prof Ashutosh Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta; Abu Taleb Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Biswa Bangla Biswabidyalay and former Vice-Chancellor of Aliah University; Syed Nurus Salam, Registrar of Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University and former Registrar of Aliah University; Pabitra Sarkar, former Vice-Chancellor of Rabindra Bharati University; Prof Md Sirajul Islam, former Dean at Visva-Bharati University; Sk Nurul Haque, former Principal Secretary of the MA & ME Department, Government of West Bengal and former Chairman of the West Bengal Public Service Commission; Nahid Ali, JC Bose Fellow and INSA Emeritus Scientist at the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology; Sibaji Pratim Basu, former Vice-Chancellor of Vidyasagar University; and Prof Saifulla, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Languages and Chairman of the Foundation Day Organising Committee
