JEDDAH — In the last 27 years Noorul Uloom Educational Society under the leadership of Professor Nafees Ahmed has been empowering the educationally and economically underprivileged children through education and moral teachings, especially Muslims in the neighboring areas of Hathras, Agra and Aligarh. The journey which started with a small school under a tree has now bloomed into a cluster of 14 schools including one Higher Secondary School, Two Junior High Schools, Eight Primary Schools, Girls School under construction, Center of Training in House Keeping and one ATDC Smart Skill Camp! Dr. Nafees Ahmed was recently in the Kingdom for Umrah and AMUA Jeddah organized his meeting with Aligs and well-wishers at the residence of Azizurrab, vice president of AMUA Jeddah, which was well attended. He updated all the attendees about the progress of his “Project Educate.” Dr. Nafees Ahmed, secretary of NUES (Noorul Uloom Education Society), and NUES's work has been commended across Indian continent by Ulemas, academicians and social workers alike. He is presently Member of Muslim Personal Law Board Shoura and General Secretary, Association of Minority Institutions, UP and has served AMU in the capacity of Professor in Ophthalmic Biochemistry, President Staff Association, Member of the AMU Court, Teacher's Representative, Executive Council and Proctor at AMU campus. The apex school, Saima Mansoor Public School, which was established with the help of a philanthropist Naved Mansoor from US has performed extremely well and achieved 100% results in all six consecutive CBSE exams for standard X so far held with a majority having distinction grades. Six students received gold medals, 3 silver medals and 1 bronze medal out of 41 students who appeared at State Science Olympiad competitions in 2014. NUES has also focused on the education of girls, which has been neglected for far too long. One of the major achievements of NUES is the persistent increase in the percentage of girl students, which has gone from zero to 35%; this prompted the Society to established first CBSE School exclusively for girls. Under the generous assistance of Sheikh Mohamed Abdullah a girls' school has been established and is named after his father “Abdullah Hashim Girls' Public school.” ATDC SMART Skill camp: In recognition of services of NUES for uplifting backward rural masses the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with NUES has established an ATDC SMART Skill camp specially for women, all equipment have been installed in basement of AH Girls' school and training has been commenced from June 18, 2014. Skill Development Program: A vocational training in housekeeping under “Skill Development Program of Ministry of Tourism” has been launched successfully in collaboration with AMU Polytechnic. Two batches of 40 girls and boys are being trained at present. Future Plans: NUES plans to establish: 1. ITC (Industrial Training Center); 2. Hostels for boys and girls; 3. Additional Floors of SMPS; 4. Coaching Center for professional & higher studies; 5. Nursery teachers training center; 6. At least 5 more primary schools in backward areas; 7. An Auditorium in SMPS premises; 8. Smart classes teaching technique. Beneficial Impacts of Project Education: • The children who worked in private homes, shops and farms to earn their livelihood, started going to school leading to a significant change in attitude among their parents towards education. • Leading to eradication of illiteracy. • Large percentage of students are opting for professional courses and getting good jobs, which thereby is improving their social status. • Increasing number of girls have started going to schools, and have become role models for the families who were reluctant to send their wards earlier. With the dawn of a new era, the depressed and disillusioned villagers are finding a new direction, confidence, aspirations and hope for a better future. NUES activities largely depends on donations and financial assistance from philanthropists. Dr. Nafees thanked all those who supported this project and urged Aligs and other well wishers to, “Join hands in this noble cause, so that the deprived sections of the society can live with dignity and become an equal partner in India's development.”
