Jamia institutes Qurratulain Hyder Chair

Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) The Jamia Milia Islamia today announced the institution of the permanent Qurratulain Hyder Chair at the University.

The Professor-level chair initially pegged to the Urdu department; subsequently it will be rotated among different departments of languages and humanities. The university had written to the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry in the aftermath of Ms Hyder's demise in August and received a prompt response.

The decision to institute the chair was passed unanimously by the Academic Council and Executive Council of the Jamia university; funding would be done under XIth Plan Allocation, which is already underway from this financial year. In effect Jamia can find a suitable occupant of the Professor-level chair with immediate effect.

Ms Hyder (1927-2007) was associated with the university as a Visiting Professor under the Khan Abdul Gaffar Chair. Ms Hyder, a prolific writer and social essayist, was the recipient of Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Academy Award, Jnanpith award and a number of other awards and encomiums.

The university would confer on Ms Hyder honoris casua at the convocation on October 30.

UNI