Dr. Furqan Qamar

Professor Furqan Qamar, an internationally renowned and nationally respected Educationist has assumed his new role of the Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities on 26th June, 2014 for a term of five years. He was chosen from amongst several Vice Chancellors for this position of the Principal Executive Officer of the Association while he was serving the Central University of Himachal Pradesh as its Vice Chancellor. In his illustrious academic career spanning over three decades, Prof Qamar held the positions of Professor and Founder Director of the Centre for Management Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, a Central University in Delhi; Advisor (Education) in the Planning Commission of India; Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan at Jaipur; and the first and Founder Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh at Dharamshala. His contributions in each of these assignments have been remarkable.
As a Professor at Jamia Millia Islamia he was instrumental in introducing BBS and MBA programme and eventually succeeded in establishing and nurturing the premier Centre for Management Studies in the University. Besides, he played instrumental role in the overall development of the University in various capacities viz In-charge/OSD of Development, Member Secretary of the Committee to conduct Academic & Administrative Audit of the University, NSS Programme Officer, Warden, and Provost of Halls of Residence. As Coordinator of International Affairs, he was instrumental in entering into agreements and MoUs with large number of international universities.
As Advisor in Planning Commission, Dr. Qamar played a critical and proactive role in conceptualising ideas leading to policies for expansion, inclusion and excellence in higher education during the 11th Five Year Plan. Besides, he endeared himself for his remarkable ability of winning the confidence, trust and support of all stakeholders in steering and implementing the planned programmes and agenda throughout the Country.
As Vice Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan, he is remembered for his humane and participatory approach through openness, transparency, positivity, democratic decision-making processes thereby enabling the university to make exceptional accomplishments culminating into wide. ranging academic and administrative reforms aimed at promoting excellence in PhD Postgraduate and undergraduate programmes.
During his tenure as the first and the Founder Vice Chancellor, the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, despite travails of identifying and getting land for its permanent campuses, came to be recognised the most innovative university with distinctive academic architecture, innovative curricular framework, multi-disciplinary modular programmes of studies based on comprehensive choice based credit system and performance oriented transparent systems and processes. During a short span of a little less than five years, the University had made functional eleven Schools with seventeen Departments offering quality higher education through regular full time faculty to nearly a thousand postgraduate students, research scholars and the University could hold two annual convocations with Dalai Lama and the then President of India as the Chief Guests respectively.
Dr. Qamar has obviously left distinctive and indelible footprint to whatever position he has so far held and has earned accolades from eminent academicians and higher education policy planners for his academic eminence, creative thinking, leadership qualities, administrative acumen and above all his unique and humane approach based on humility, sincerity and democratic dialogue. He was recognised with the Illustrious Alumnus Award by the University of Lucknow (2008), Rajrishi Puroshattam Das Tandon Award for academic excellence (2010) and numerous others for his contribution in institution building and academic leadership. An excellent orator known for his innovative ideas and commitment for the cause of higher education, He has been regularly invited to deliver special Lectures, Memorial Lecturers and Convocation addresses by higher educational institutions of repute and also at the Higher Education Summits regularly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and industry (FICCI) and other industry associations, media groups and other governmental and non-governmental organisations.