09/03/2023
The Training and Placement Office, Aligarh Muslim University Centre Murshidabad in collaboration
with Sir Syed Global Scholar Award (SSGSA), US organized a workshop on the topic “Opportunities
of Higher Education Abroad” on January 09, 2023. Dr. Wasikul Islam, Research Associate with the
University of Wisconsin, Madison, US joined the workshop as the resource person. The aim of the
workshop was to equip students, interested in pursuing studies abroad, with necessary knowledge and
required skills. The workshop focused on explaining the application process and exposing the students
to the requirements of higher education institutions in foreign countries.
Dr. Nigamananda Biswas, Director, AMU Centre Murshidabad delivered the inaugural address. Dr.
Biswas highlighted the importance of developing new skills as required in current circumstances. He
urged the students to think out-of-the-box and develop a holistic perspective. Emphasizing on growing
competition in the market, Dr. Biswas asked the students to be prepared for a very competitive market
where they would be competing with candidates from across the world. He urged the students to have
their own Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
Mr. Syed Ali Rizvi, Member, Executive Committee, SSGSA and imminent US based AMU alumnus,
in his online message, congratulated AMU Centre Murshidabad for organizing the event and expressed
hope that the workshop will achieve the desired results in coming future.
The Resource Person of the workshop, Dr. Wasikul Islam engaged two sessions. In his first session, he
elaborated on the opportunities of higher education abroad and discussed aspects related to economic
growth and stability, personal development and other practical benefits for pursuing a career in
developed countries. Dr. Islam talked about his journey throughout his career from pursuing BSc. and
MSc. from Aligarh Muslim University to pursue Ph D from the Oklahoma State University, US. He
emphasized on the role of Sir Syed Global Scholar Award (SSGSA) in shaping his career. Motivating
the students to apply for SSGSA, Dr. Islam pointed out that SSGSA is having its scholars working in
many reputed universities as well as corporate institutions in the US and in Europe. He informed that
SSGSA help awardees and provide them financial support in their pursuits to higher education abroad.
In the second session, Dr. Wasikul Islam provided the details of application process of foreign
universities. He explained the importance of Graduate Admission Timeline of US universities and also
discussed the pattern of various examinations such as GRE/GMAT and TOEFL. He informed about
the admission requirements and procedure of foreign universities and also focused on preparing an
effective and appropriate CV. To conclude, Dr. Islam discussed important points on how to write
Statement of Purpose (SOP) for applying in different universities.
Earlier, as per the tradition of Aligarh Muslim University, the workshop started with the recitation of
verses from the Holy Quran by Ali Hasnain, Student Coordinator, TPO, AMU Centre Murshidabad. The
Welcome address was given by Mr. Mofikul Islam, Course Coordinator, MBA (Unit). Mr. Islam talked
about the benefits of having such workshops and learnings students get from them.
The Vote of thanks was given by Dr. Syed Atif Jilani, Assistant Professor, Department of Business
Administration and Coordinator of the workshop. Dr. Jilani appreciated the efforts of TPO team and
acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Md. Sarwar Alam, TPO, AMU Centre Murshidabad in
organizing the workshop. The program was hosted by Mina Khan, Student Coordinator, TPO.