University Polytechnic
Introduction
from tents to a modern high-rise
JOURNEY OF UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC
1957 :
The present University Polytechnic was established on the initiative of Dr. K. L. Shrimali, then Rural development and Higher education minister. This department, namely ‘Rural Institute’ ran two courses (i). ‘Rural services’ and (ii). ‘Civil and Rural Engineering’ with an intake of 30 students in each course and was governed by the ministry of education. The classes were held in tents and sometimes even in open air. The first principal was Mr. M. Farhatullah.
1960 :
The first batch of this institute passed out. The tents were also replaced by hutments covered with asbestos (popularly known as dumpoos) Mr. Mir Najabat Ali took over as Principal
1966 :
Mr. Jalaluddin became Principal of the Rural Institute.
1976 :
The name was changed to ‘Department of Technology’ and was bought under the Faculty of Natural Sciences of JMI.
1979 :
Bachelor in Engineering (civil) was introduced as a part time course, running in evening. This course catered to the students who had passed diploma in engineering and were engaged in jobs during the day time.
1980 :
Two year Certificate courses were introduced in the Department of Technology, to impart theoretical and practical knowledge in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Electronics and Draughtsman (civil).
1983 :
Three Year Diploma in Electronics was introduced. Also a four year course of ‘Aircraft Maintenance Engineering’ was started.
1985 :
Faculty of Engineering was established and the Department of Technology was transferred from the Faculty of Natural Sciences to the Faculty of Engineering. The Bachelor in Engineering (civil) course was also transferred from Department of Technology to the Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering.
1988 :
Jamia Millia Islamia was accorded the status of a Central University by an act of the Parliament. The Department of Technology was hence forth named as ‘University Polytechnic’. The intake in Diploma Engineering courses remained forty students in each branch. The last batch of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering passed out in this year and the course was discontinued.
1989 :
The construction of a new building for the University Polytechnic was started by the efforts of the then Principal, Mr. Jalaluddin. Diploma in Electrical Engineering and Diploma in Mechanical Engineering courses were also introduced.
1991 :
The New building of the University Polytechnic was inaugurated on 18th May by Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was then Chairman of University Grants Commission. Also, this year, a course under the scheme of ‘Community Polytechnic’ of the ministry of labour was introduced, in various trades. This scheme catered mainly to the needs of the economically and academically backward sections of society.
1995 :
After serving the Polytechnic for a period of more than 36 years (including 28 yrs as Principal), Mr. Jalaluddin retired from the post of Principal of University Polytechnic and Mr. Iqbal Azam became the next Principal in the month of March.
1997 :
The existing diploma courses being run in the day time were also started in the evening under self financing scheme.
1998 :
Diploma in Computer Engineering’ was introduced in the University Polytechnic.
2000 :
The certificate courses were discontinued due to legal problems
2001 :
The Diploma in Computer Engineering was also introduced in the evening under the self-finance scheme.
2006 :
The intake is increased from forty students to sixty students in both regular as well as evening courses of Diploma Engineering. The Community Polytechnic was closed in this year because of the Labour ministry withdrawing the scheme.
2008 :
The old workshop complex was demolished.
2009 :
Construction of a new five story building started.
2010 :
Prof. N.U. Khan took charge as the Director of the University Polytechnic.
2013 :
On 05th September the new building was inaugurated by Dr. M. M. Pallam Raju, HRD Minister, Govt. of India and handed over to the University Polytechnic.
2014 :
Mr. Iqbal Azam took back the charge of Principal, University Polytechnic from Prof. N.U. Khan on 30th June.
2016 :
Four year evening course of Diploma Engineering is converted into three year self-financed course.
2019 :
After serving the Polytechnic for a period of more than 20 years as Principal, Mr. Iqbal Azam retired from the post of Principal University Polytechnic. Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, Head Mechanical Engineering Section took charge as Acting Principal of the University Polytechnic on 14th of January.
2024 :
Dr. M. A. Khan, Head, Electrical Engineering Section, senior most Head in Professor Grade, took charge as Acting Principal of the University Polytechnic from Dr. Mumtaz Ahmad, on 21st of June.