Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)

About Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)

• It is a government-run education institution situated in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
• History:
  • It was originally established by social reformer Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875. 
  • In the aftermath of the 1857 Indian War of Independence, the College was built on Khan’s conviction that it was important for Muslims to gain education and become involved in public life and government services in India.
  • Raja Jai Kishan helped Sir Syed establish the college.
  • Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College became AMU in 1920, following the Aligarh Muslim University Act. 
• From its very inception, it has kept its door open to members of all communities and from all corners of the country and the world. The university is open to all irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or gender.
• AMU is recognised by the University Grant Commission (UGC) and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). 
• AMU offers more than 300 courses in the traditional and modern branches of education.
• It has three off-campus centres: AMU Malappuram Campus (Kerala), AMU Murshidabad Centre (West Bengal), and Kishanganj Centre (Bihar).

Q1) What is the University Grant Commission (UGC)?

The University Grants Commission (UGC) came into existence on 28th December, 1953 and became a statutory Organization of the Government of India by an Act of Parliament in 1956, for the coordination,determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in university education.

Source: How does it matters whether Aligarh Muslim University is a minority institution or not, SC asks