Calicut University pins hope on Emir's visit

KOZHIKODE: The Calicut University,  the state’s largest, which would confer  doctorate   on the  Emir of Sharjah Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi on Tuesday,  is  looking forward to  a possible tie-up with the sovereign in  academics. Though the Emir will not come to the  main campus at Thenjippalam due to the Vengara by-election code of conduct and  security issues, the authorities are hoping for productive co-operation with the country. Ahead of the visit, a representative of the Emir visited the campus and was briefed  about the facilities. It is expected that the Emir’s staff would visit the university again and discuss the possible areas of co-operation.

“We are looking at the visit with great enthusiasm as it is a rare occasion.  Ahead of the visit, the Emir has already sent to the varsity over 46 books authored by him and translated to various languages.  Though we organised an exhibition to commemorate his visit to the campus, we scrapped it due to the  last-minute change in the venue,” said a university official.  The Emir, who is a known Indophile, is also reportedly fluent  in  Malayalam. "He is an eminent historian and we are looking at  the formation of a chair  where the students can research on Indo-Arabian studies or Indian Ocean studies,” opined history department head and syndicate member Dr P. Sivadasan. The D.Litt will be conferred on him  at Raj Bhavan at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Apart from governor and chancellor P. Sathasivam, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, education minister and pro-chancellor Prof C. Raveendranath and  university statutory officers will take part.