SIR ZIAUDDIN AHMED was born in 1877 in the picturesque town of Meerut in India.
An outstanding and versatile educationist and political figure, he was also the
longest serving Vice-Chancellor in the history of Aligarh Muslim University. His
close association with Sir Syed Ahmed Khan added to his stature and dignity. His
untimely demise left a void in the university and in the lives of his followers
and well wishers. He died on 23rd December 1947 in London, and was buried in the
premises of the main mosque of Aligarh Muslim University along side Sir Syed Ahmed
Khan.
Sir Ziauddin Ahmed did his Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in 1895
from M.A.O. College, Aligarh, Master of Arts in Mathematics from Calcutta, and
Allahabad Universities in the year 1897 and 1898 respectively. He joined Trinity
College, Cambridge in 1901 for Honours degree in Mathematics, and graduated
with excellence by securing first position. In 1904 Sir Ziauddin was awarded
the Sir Isaac Newton Scholarship, a rare honour for a foreign graduate, and
he was the first Indian to achieve this award. His thirst for knowledge took
him to Gottingen University, Germany and in 1905 he completed his Ph.D. in Mathematics.
In addition to this, Sir Ziauddin also visited Paris University in France, and
Bologna University in Italy in the year 1905 for advanced studies in his chosen
field of Mathematics.
On return from Europe, Sir Ziauddin Ahmed devoted the rest of his life to the
Aligarh Muslim University. When M.A.O. College was given the status of a University
in 1920, he became its first Pro Vice-Chancellor. In 1935 he was elected as
the Vice-Chancellor and remained so until 1946, thus becoming the longest serving
Vice-Chancellor in the history of Aligarh Muslim University to date. In 1946
he was appointed as Rector of the University and held the position until his
death in 1947.
Sir Ziauddin Ahmed took keen interest in University affairs, and raised funds
for the university time and again.
Sir Ziauddin Ahmed supported the Pakistan Movement and encouraged the students
of Aligarh Muslim University to play an active role in this historic movement.
He was also chosen by Quaid-e-Azam to be the General Secretary of the Muslim
League Parliamentary Party.
Sir Ziauddin Ahmed's dream to start a medical college at Aligarh Muslim University,
was not realised in his lifetime, but has come true with the establishment of
the Ziauddin Medical University in Karachi, Pakistan.