AMU mourns the sad demise of Prof Ather Siddiqi
ALIGARH : The faculty members, non-teaching staff and students from the Faculty of Life Sciences, along with the family members of Prof Ather Siddiqi, deeply mourned the sad demise of Prof Ather Siddiqi, former Dean, Faculty of Science, Aligarh Muslim University and paid rich tributes to him at a condolence meeting held yesterday at the Department of Zoology. He passed away on November 8, 2023 after a brief illness and was laid to rest at the University graveyard (Minto E) on November 9.
Expressing a deep sense of grief on his demise, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Mohammad Gulrez said that the whole AMU fraternity is mourning his death and we share the grief that his family is feeling on his sad departure.
Prof Gulrez remembered him for his intellectual acumen and his love for Urdu literature. He said that his death has created a void that will be hard to fill in the near future. He conveyed heart-felt solidarity with his family members, praying for a higher place for him in Jannah.
Born on December 29, 1931, Prof. Siddiqi received his M.Sc. degree from AMU in 1953 with specialisation in Parasitology, and secured university gold medal for standing first in the faculty. Later he joined Purdue University, USA for doctorate and after completing his PhD in biological sciences, he also received US-National Science Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Purdue University.
He joined the Department of Zoology, AMU as a lecturer in 1953 and became a professor in 1977 where he served as the Chairman of the department and Dean, Faculty of Science before his superannuation.
Reading out a condolence note, the Chairman of the department, Prof Mukhtar Ahmad Khan stated that Prof Siddiqi extended his teaching services at the Zoology Department, University of Ife, Nigeria and University of Al-Fateh, Libya, where he extensively contributed in the development of syllabi for Zoology and Parasitology. As a passionate teacher he introduced a number of new courses including Endocrinology at both UG and PG levels and his contribution in the field of Helminth Physiology and Biochemistry has been widely acclaimed nationally and internationally.
Prof. Ather Siddiqi published more than 90 research articles, a monograph on Trematodes, published by New York Academy of Sciences, and a book on Experimental Physiology published by Oxford and IBH Publications. A total of 15 students received PhD under his supervision.
He was member of several national and international societies and a Fellow of the Indian Society for Parasitology which also conferred ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award on him. He served as the Vice-President and President of the Indian Society for Parasitology.
He was an ardent lover of Urdu literature and a prolific writer and published numerous articles in magazines and newspapers, and books on a myriad of subjects during his post-retirement period. His much-talked about autobiography “Main Kya Meri Hayat Kya” (2003) is considered to be a highly valued publication which brought him much adulation from critics and litterateurs.
Prof. Siddiqi is survived by his wife, Prof. Zakia Siddiqi, an eminent educationist herself, son Sohail Siddiqi and a daughter Taab Siddiqi.
Later, a group of faculty members, including the Chairperson visited his house to pay condolences to his wife, Prof. Zakia Siddiqi and the family.