Shri P. Sreeramakrishnan, Hon’ble Speaker, Kerala Legislature,
Shri P.K. Kunhalikkutty, Member of Parliament,
Shri Sayyid IbrahimulKhaleel Al Bukhari, Chairman, Ma’din Academy
Dr. Nassir Abdul Aziz Al-Nasser, Head of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, New York
Shri Muhammed Noufal. Academic Director, Ma’din Academy
Shri Umer Melmuri, Director, Ma’din Academy
Madhyama Suhruthukkale,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
I am very happy to inaugurate Ma’din Edu Park which has been established at Ma’din Hills, Malappuram district as part of the Vicennial celebrations of Ma’din Academy.
Let me at the outset, convey my deep appreciation for the efforts of Janab Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleel Al-Bukhari, internationally acclaimed religious scholar, social worker and philanthropist, in founding the Ma’din Academy with the noble aim of promoting Education for the Future.
That the Ma’din Academy could achieve considerable growth in a period of twenty years, evinces the interest shown by the founder and the management in ushering in quality and diversification in the activities. Today, it has grown into a campus that houses many centres of learning, with activities directed towards the creation a future society.
Education is certainly a futuristic activity and perhaps, the greatest investment and asset in a society. Kerala's position as a State with the best human development index comes from the emphasis it has given to education. It is worthwhile to recall that the Royal Proclamation issued to introduce formal education in Kerala almost two hundred years back, had defined education as a dual blessing since it benefited not only those who received it but also those who gave it. The belief was that a government which had to deal with an educated population was by far stronger than one which had to handle ignorant and disorderly masses. This is because education creates an aware society.
Education that looks to the future would help to erase boundaries of nations and faiths in the quest for knowledge. Preparing our next generation for the future has to begin with the creation of a genuine interest in learning, coupled with the aim of empowering oneself. Institutions have to identify the most suitable knowledge-based and skill-intensive economic activities. This would also require a networking of institutions so that knowledge in various disciplines is effectively shared among students.
It is a glad tiding that such networking of institutions has now become easier, with universities relaxing the stipulations regarding the land needed to start colleges. Earlier, 25 acres was the requirement for colleges; Engineering colleges needed even more land, which was considerably reduced in recent years, in view of the new infrastructure scenario. This has enabled many institutions to utilize their unused land for starting more centres offering different courses. The positive result was the creation of better equipped campuses that cater to different types of students. I am happy that the Ma’din Edu Park, with a sixty acre green campus, can accommodate 4000 students from various institutions and disciplines.
I understand that one of the noble objectives of the 20th year celebration of this College was to develop and enhance academic collaboration with international universities and organizations. I hope the aim of developing such activities into a centre of learning to encourage and facilitate a confluence of international academics will become a reality in the near future. It is heartening to know that Ma’din Academia for Research and International Studies, through the work on international relations and research has entered into ten Educational Exchange agreements with various academic bodies.
The promoters of Ma’din Edupark deserve appreciation for the variety of disciplines offered to students in one campus. An Arts & Science College offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses, an Industrial Training Centre to provide lifelong training, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Drone Technology and Ma’din Centre for Foreign Languages offering Diploma and certificate programs in English, Arabic, Spanish, French, German and Arabic languages remind us of a garden of knowledge with many coloured flowers in bloom.
It merits special mention that in the urge to develop the training facilities, Ma’din Edu Park has not ignored the disabled and the orphaned children. The Able World, a centre for special support for disabilities and the Ample Shore, a special institute for orphan care are proof of the social commitment of the management. The Home Science Centre which trains more than 2500 housewives every year, does a great service to society.
I am happy that Ma’din College has been publishing Armonia Journal, an international academic journal. The challenge should be to develop it into a journal with the desired impact factor.
The role education plays in the spiritual empowerment of a locality is well known. I am happy to know that the monthly spiritual meetings, the Pledge against Terrorism and the Annual International Prayer and Peace led by Janab Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleel Al-Bukhari have been contributing to societal harmony.
In conclusion, let me remind everyone here about the true meaning of the Arabic word ‘Ma’din’. It means origin or source. May this campus continue to be a true source of education and knowledge from which all virtues flow to Society.
The success of every institution depends on the concerted efforts of many people including teachers and supporting staff.
I convey my best wishes to all the staff, students and well wishers of this institution. Let me also congratulate Shri P.K. Abdul Kareem and Shri Naseer Khan who were honoured today.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
