Al-Karim University, a great achievement of Dr. Ahmad Ashfaq Karim
Awaz E Bihar••5 views•4 min read
Just as Takshila was renowned as an international center for medical education, Vikramshila for magic (tantra), Ujjain for astronomy and Nalanda University for philosophy, similarly Al-Karim University, Katihar is identified with better medical education and medical services and has a prominent place in this field.
Mohammad Rafi 7091937560 rafimfp@gmail.com
India's ancient tradition is based on education. The establishment of Nalanda, Taxila, Vikramshila, Ajin, and Manikhet universities is a matter of pride for us, which not only influenced the ancient India but also foreign countries, attracting and captivating them. Al-Biruni and Fa-Hien are living examples of this. One such prominent university, "Aligarh Muslim University", was established by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a great scholar, author, and freedom fighter of his time, and a prominent figure in the Urdu language. He had to make great efforts for this. There was a time when he had to face the indifference of the nation, but today he has a place in the heart of every citizen of the country. Similarly, in the land of Bihar, there is a name, Dr. Ahmed Ashfaque Karim. Dr. Karim was born in Tenda village, Patepur, in the famous Vaishali district, where Mahavir was born, Ashok's empire was centered, and Jainism was prominent. However, he did not limit himself to this place; instead, he chose Kishanganj, a district in Bihar with a large Muslim population, which is economically backward. In 1987, he laid the foundation stone of "Katihar Medical College" and later, in 2018, established "Al-Karim University", giving a great gift to the Seemanchal region. This must have brought solace to the soul of the late Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, as Dr. Ahmed Ashfaque Karim has taken his educational movement forward and fulfilled his dreams.
Under the Bihar Private Universities Act 2013, a total of six universities were established in the state. Al-Karim University is one of them, established in 2018. It was established under the aegis of the Al-Karim Educational Trust. The establishment of Katihar Medical College and Hospital was also done under the aegis of the Al-Karim Educational Trust in 1987. Dr. Ahmed Ashfaque Karim, the Chancellor of Al-Karim University and the Founder Director of Katihar Medical College, laid the foundation of the Al-Karim Educational Trust in 1986 and is its Founder Chairman. The result of Dr. Karim's hard work and efforts is that the medical college, which started from Rajabazar in Patna, has now taken the shape of a university. Through the successful journey of the medical college and university, Dr. Ahmed Ashfaque Karim has demonstrated his excellent academic understanding and social skills.
The university offers MBBS courses, as well as MD and MS courses in various medical specialties. In addition, it offers a 4.5-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) course, a 3-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) course, and a 3-year Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) course. It also offers postgraduate courses in various allied medical fields such as biochemistry and anatomy. Along with this, diploma, degree, PG, and Ph.D. courses are available in hundreds of disciplines.
Just as Taxila was famous for medical education, Vikramshila for magic (technical knowledge), Ajin for astronomy, and Manikhet University for philosophy, Al-Karim University, Katihar, is known for better medical education and medical services, and it has a prominent place in this field. Dr. Ahmed Ashfaque Karim considers the expert education, research enthusiasm among students, the clean environment of the campus, and the transparent administration as the basic reasons for the university's success. According to Dr. Karim, not only in India but also in foreign countries, the students of Katihar Medical College and Al-Karim University have achieved success and are providing excellent medical services.
Dr. Karim thanked the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, for the establishment of the university and praised his vision for education. This was the occasion of the fourth convocation of Al-Karim University, where 415 students were awarded MBBS degrees, including 15 gold medals. The convocation was attended by prominent guests, including the Governor of Bihar, Arif Mohammed Khan, Health Minister Mangal Pandey, Transport Minister Sharwan Kumar, Chairman of the Sunni Waqf Board, Mohammad Arshadullah, and the President of the Urdu Media Forum, Mufti Sanaullah Qasmi. On this occasion, two ministers, Mangal Pandey and Sharwan Kumar, and Mufti Sanaullah Qasmi were awarded honorary Ph.D. degrees.
Inspired by the 1986 Education Policy, Dr. Ahmed Ashfaque Karim established Katihar Medical College and now Al-Karim University. With the new Education Policy 2020 in mind, he is working to organize and improve the university's services with his capable team. Just as Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan is known as the Frontier Gandhi, Dr. Ahmed Ashfaque Karim is considered the Sir Syed of Purvanchal in the field of education.
