The prestigious Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award has been conferred upon the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in recognition of its community service and polio-eradication programme.
This is the first time that this award has been given to a non-American University.
The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Foundation recognises ”the innovative ideas of the AMU for campus-community collaboration that makes a difference to the lives of others and enhances learning,” said the citation.
Former U S Presdent Jimmy Carter at a glittering ceremony here handed over the award to AMU Vice Chancellor Naseem Ahmad on Friday night.
The programme was attended by eminent dignitaries, prominent among whom were Union Science and technology Minister Kapil Sibal, Ms. Rosalynn Carter,President Carter Foundation Suristha Sehgal and FICCI president Saroj Poddar and Film Director and Actor Aparna Sen.
During the last four years, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Mr Ahmad, the AMU has taken the lead in organising polio sensitisation programmes, immunisation camps and door-to-door vaccinations.
Thirty such programmes in five districts have been organised with the help of UNICEF and Rotary International.
Large numbers of AMU students have participated in these programmes.