BeyondHeadlines News Desk
Padma Shri historian, academician and former Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia Prof. Mushiral Hasan died today. He was laid to rest at the university’s graveyard in the presence of Prof. Zoya Hasan, wife of Prof. Mushirul Hasan, former Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Vice Chancellor (Offg.), JMI Prof Shahid Ashraf, Registrar, Mr A.P. Siddiqui, former Vice Chancellors, Mr. Najeeb Jung & Mr. Shahid Mehdi, faculty members, non-teaching staff, a large number of academicians, diplomats, senior journalists, alumni and students.
Prof. Hasan had served JMI as Vice Chancellor from 2004 to 2009.
Earlier, Namaz-e-Janaza was offered for the departed soul at the lawns of main mosque of the university.
Speaking on the sad demise of Prof. Hasan, officiating Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shahid Ashraf said “It is a sad day for me personally and Jamia fraternity. The renowned historian and former VC is no longer with us. Prof. Hasan was a very inspiring VC and focused on building the infrastructure of the university as well as improving the research abilities of the faculty members. I join the family members in this moment of sadness and pain and may they have the strength to bear this great loss”.
A condolence meeting was organized at Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium of the university at 4.00 PM today and paid tribute to the departed soul. Registrar, JMI, A.P. Siddiqui, Vice Chancellor (Offg.), Prof Shahid Ashraf, Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Languages, Prof. Wahajuddin Alvi, Prof. Ameena Kazi Ansari, Prof. Shahid Amin, former Registrar, JMI, Mr. S.M. Afzal (IPS) spoke on the occasion and shared their experiences they had with Prof. Hasan while working at JMI.
Prof. Hasan began his career as a Lecturer at Ram Lal Anand College then Ramjas College before joining Deptt. Of History and Culture, Jamia Millia islamia as a Reader in 1978. Then he became Professor and earned a distinction of being one of the youngest among professors of history.
Prof. Hasan became Head of the Department twice and later rose to become Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Languages in 1990-1992.
He was the Pro-Vice Chancellor in the year 1992 and worked as officiating Vice Chancellor in 1996-1997.
He worked as Director, Academy of Third World Studies 2002-2004 before he was appointed as the Vice Chancellor in the month of May 2004.
As Vice Chancellor he was able to mobilize resources to build infrastructure on a large scale and laid the foundation of a modern university. He also made significant academic projection of the JMI on an International scale. He reinforced the existing Departments while he went on to introduce a number of new academic centres. The most significant contribution is Faculty of Dentistry, which has emerged quite a landmark for Jamia Millia Islamia.
As a historian, he marked excelled space for himself. He earned the distinction for exploring multi layered existence of the Muslims in the Indian sub-continent. He authored a number of books, which earned global recognition by peer groups. After his stint as Vice Chancellor, he was appointed Director-General of National Achieves of India and turned around its working atmosphere. It no longer remained administrative hub as it emerged as an academic centre of great interest.
It was unfortunate that four years ago he met with an accident which impacted on his health. His health became a matter of concern which finally has taken him away from us.
JMI fraternity pray for his soul to rest in peace and family members specially Prof. Zoya Hasan to bear this loss with fortitude. Jamia Millia Islamia shall remain thankful to him for all that he did for the University.
