Srinagar, May 17: For the first time, Media Education Research Centre (MERC) of Kashmir University in association with a group of alumni organized a special function to present Prof Manzur- ul-Amin’s Professional Journalism Awards for MERC students today. The function coincided with the presence of the department’s founder, Prof Amin in the campus.
 The students of both the batches at MERC besides the faculty members attended the session. The contestants had submitted write-ups, poems, paintings, features, photo features, slide shows and sketches about Prof Amin.
 Rihana Maqbool, a 3rd semester student, bagged the first prize for her pencil sketch of Prof Amin. The second prize was shared by first semester students Amir Salati, Hilal-ul-Fayaz and Shafat Mir for their slide show while as the third prize was conferred on Waseem Malla of third semester for his write up.
 Besides, consolation prizes were given to Abid Hafiz Rabia Bashir and Faisal Shabir.
 The jury members included faculty members of MERC, Nasir Mirza, Dr Sabeha Mufti and Muslim Jan. Sponsored by a former student of MERC, M M Munaf, the awards were given away by Prof Amin himself.
 Speaking on the occasion, Head MERC, Prof S Mufeed Ahmad said, “The purpose of this function was to let the students seek inspiration from the success story of Prof Amin and to provide them an opportunity to exhibit their creativity.” Prof Mufeed also announced that the award will be an annual feature of the academic calendar of MERC.
 Earlier, in his introductory remarks, senior faculty, MERC, Nasir Mirza said, “The lessons I had the privilege to learn from him helped me to keep the department intact after he left the valley in early 1990, but we always missed him.”
 “Spring comes once a year, but the spring symbolized by the arrival of our mentor has come after a gap of 22 years,” he remarked.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 17 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 17 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 IST