P. K. Abdul Aziz
{{Short description|Academic and Scientist from India}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
|alma_mater = University of Kerala
Cochin University of Science and Technology
St. Albert's College, Ernakulam
Union Christian College, Aluva
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1947|1|18}}
|birth_place = Thodupuzha, Kerala, India
|education = D.Sc (Doctor of Science), PhD – University of Kerala
Masters – Cochin University of Science and Technology
|spouse(s) =
|children =
|occupation = Former Vice Chancellor at University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, Aligarh Muslim University and Cochin University of Science and Technology
|image = P.K. Abdul Azis.jpg
}}
P.K. Abdul Aziz (born 18 January 1947), also known as P. K. Abdul Azis, is a scientist in ecology and biodiversity and an academic from India who has published 77 research papers,.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/19/stories/2007051912010700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914095129/http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/19/stories/2007051912010700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 September 2007 |title=Abdul Azis VC of Aligarh Muslim varsity |date=19 May 2007 |newspaper=The Hindu |accessdate=4 November 2012}} He has been the Vice-Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology{{Cite web |last=Director |first=CIRM, CUSAT |last2=Director |first2=CIRM, CUSAT |date=22 August 2016 |title=Cochin University of Science and Technology-Vision |url=https://cusat.ac.in/former_vc.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822113534/https://cusat.ac.in/former_vc.php |archive-date=22 August 2016 |access-date=29 August 2022 |website=cusat.ac.in}} and Aligarh Muslim University. He is also the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya.{{cite web |url=http://www.ustm.ac.in/showNews.asp?id=21 |title=Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis joined as VC of USTM |publisher=University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya |date=11 April 2013 |accessdate=21 April 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130702093355/http://www.ustm.ac.in/showNews.asp?id=21 |archive-date=2 July 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=apr0913/oth07 |title=New VC Joins USTM |newspaper=The Assam Tribune |date=9 April 2013 |accessdate=21 April 2013}} He is also the chairman of the Expert Committee for Revision of Curriculum for School Education, appointed by the Kerala government.{{cite news |url=http://mg.glpublications.in/newsview.aspx?eddate=04/10/2013&pageno=3&edition=9&prntid=8514&bxid=113126812&pgno=3 |title=Prof Azis takes charge of USTM |newspaper=The Meghalaya Guardian |date=10 April 2013 |accessdate=21 April 2013}}
Early education and career
He received a D.Sc in Ecology (2002) and a PhD (1978) from the Department of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, University of Kerala.
He led the Department of Ecology and Marine Biology at the Saline Water Conversion Corporation Research and Development Centre, Saudi Arabia as chairman during 1993–2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.amu.ac.in/vcdesk.htm |title=Vice Chancellor Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis |publisher=Aligarh Muslim University |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104041929/http://www.amu.ac.in/vcdesk.htm |archivedate=4 January 2012}}
He was a professor at Kerala University and Kerala Agricultural University before becoming Vice-Chancellor of the Cochin University of Science and Technology.{{Citation needed|date= August 2022}}
He was the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University from 11 June 2007, to 17 January 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/aligarh-vcs-tenure-ends/article2809595.ece |title=Aligarh V-C's tenure ends |newspaper=The Hindu |date=18 January 2012}} During his term he initiated a "crackdown" against squatters and put into place ID cards for all students.{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-universities-rankings-2012-aligarh-muslim-university/1/189328.html |title=Back Where It Belongs: AMU at 5th spot on India Today Universities Rankings 2012 |last=Rahman |first=Shafi |magazine=India Today |publisher=Living Media India Limited |date=18 May 2012 |accessdate=4 November 2012}} The university also signed MoUs{{clarify|date=November 2012}} with Wisconsin University, Cleveland University, Atlanta University, Johns Hopkins University and New York University and began clearing a backlog of PhD submissions. India Today cited his efforts as leading to a "remarkable turnaround" for the university.
Vice-Chancellorship
Prof Azis first served as the Vice Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) from 2004 - 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://cusat.ac.in/former_vc.php|title=Cochin University of Science and Technology-Vision|website=cusat.ac.in|access-date=2019-05-17|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822113534/https://cusat.ac.in/former_vc.php|url-status=dead}} During his tenure, he initiated a plan to upgrade CUSAT to the status of IIEST (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology), but the project could not materialise due to a lack of understanding with the successive state governments and eventually, had to be shelved.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/cusat-out-of-race-for-iiest-status/article4482520.ece|title=Cusat out of race for IIEST status|last=Krishnakumar|first=G.|date=2013-03-07|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-05-17|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}
Prof. Azis then served as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) from 2007 - 2012. He was widely credited with bringing a turnaround in the academic fortunes of the university and got AMU to the 5th spot in the India Today rankings.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/india-s-best-universities/2012/story/20120528-india-today-universities-rankings-2012-aligarh-muslim-university-758441-2012-05-18|title=AMU at 5th spot on India Today Universities Rankings 2012|author=Shafi Rahman |date=May 18, 2012 |magazine=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-05-17}} He was instrumental and the key initiator in the launching of AMU centres in Murshidabad (West Bengal), Malapparum (Kerala) and Kishanganj (Bihar). The former President of India and the then Finance Minister Shri. Pranab Mukherjee announced the launch of the centres in his 2009 Budget speech.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/pranab-rush-for-amu-in-bengal/cid/538118|title=Pranab rush for AMU in Bengal|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}} The AMU Malappuram Centre has been functioning since 2010, AMU Murshidabad centre has been functioning since March 6, 2011{{Cite web|url=http://updates.highereducationinindia.com/2011/amu-begins-classes-at-murshidabad-campus-6064.php|title=AMU Begins Classes at Murshidabad Campus|website=updates.highereducationinindia.com|access-date=2019-05-17}} and AMU Kishanganj Centre was inaugurated in January 2014 by UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Sonia-to-lay-foundation-of-AMU-Kishanganj-unit-today/articleshow/29571536.cms|title=Sonia to lay foundation of AMU Kishanganj unit today |date=January 30, 2014|first=Madan|last=Kumar|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-17}}
During his tenure as VC of AMU, Prof Azis courted controversy, and was under the CBI scanner for alleged financial impropriety {{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CBI-finds-AMU-V-C-guilty-of-financial-impropriety/articleshow/11442378.cms|title=CBI finds AMU V-C guilty of financial impropriety|date=January 11, 2012|first=Akshaya|last=Mukul|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-17}} related to 'travel concession for family, income tax payment from University funds and purchase of luxury cars". He was later cleared of all charges by the CBI with submission of its closure report at the Patiala House Court.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CBI-clean-chit-for-ex-Aligarh-Muslim-University-VC-Aziz/articleshow/21669090.cms|title=CBI clean chit for ex-Aligarh Muslim University VC Aziz |date=August 7, 2013|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-05-17}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/news/460971|title=India's CBI clears former AMU official of graft raps|date=2013-08-12|website=Arab News|language=en|access-date=2019-05-17}} Abdul Aziz's departure was cited by India Today as evidence of the "waning influence" of the "Malayali lobby" in Delhi.{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aligarh-muslim-university-p.-k.-abdul-azis-oommen-chandy/1/169225.html|title=Waning influence|date=17 January 2012|newspaper=India Today}} Even when the investigation had started, Abdul Aziz had refuted all the charges and had said that "the truth would eventually come out".{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/amu-vc-says-he-is-clean-truth-would-come-out_752606.html|title=AMU VC says he is clean, truth would come out|date=14 January 2012|newspaper=Zee News|accessdate=23 August 2013}} At the end of his term, Aziz said he had "no regrets" about the decisions he had made during his tenure at the university.{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/have-no-regrets-says-outgoing-amu-vc/899658/1|title=Have no regrets, says outgoing AMU V-C|last=Edmond|first=Deepu Sebastian|date=14 January 2012|newspaper=The Indian Express|accessdate=23 August 2013}}
References
{{reflist|refs=Chairman of CIC Excellence Board}}
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{{succession box
| title = Vice-Chancellor of AMU
| years = 2007-2012
| before = Naseem Ahmad
| after = Zameerud-din Shah
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Aligarh Muslim University}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aziz, P. K. Abdul}}
Category:Academic staff of Aligarh Muslim University
Category:Vice-chancellors of Aligarh Muslim University
Category:People from Idukki district