Aligarh, May 31: The teachers, students and office staff of the Department of English, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), mourned the sad demise of Professor Seemin Hasan, a senior faculty member, who passed away on May 23.
Prof. Hasan joined the Department of English at AMU as Lecturer in 1984, became Reader in 1997 and was promoted as Professor in 2005. From 2015 to 2018, Prof. Hasan chaired the Department of English. She completed her undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. courses at Aligarh Muslim University, after having completed her schooling at Loreto Convent, Lucknow.
Reading the condolence message, Prof. Shaheena Tarannum, Chairperson of the Department said Prof Hasan was known for her articulate teaching style, deep empathy, and remarkable ability to inspire those around her. As a scholar, she made noteworthy contributions through her research, particularly on the poetry of John Keats along with other fields like translation studies and postcolonial studies. Her PhD thesis, “The Voice of Feeling: Myth and Mythology in Keats’s Major Poems”, along with numerous articles, research papers, and citations published in international and national journals, stand as a testament to her scholarly excellence.
Highlighting her illustrious career spanning over four decades, Prof Trannum said, Prof Seemin Hasan made significant contributions to the field of literature and to our university. Prof. Hasan’s dedication to her work and her profound impact on students and colleagues alike have left an indelible mark on our academic community.
Apart from teaching at AMU, she also served as the Editor of Aligarh Muslim University Gazette and Member-in-Charge, Publications Division, to mention a few. In addition to being the founder Provost of Begum Sultan Jahan Hall for Girls which she served thrice in that capacity, she was also the Provost of New Hall for Girls.
“Prof. Hasan was not just a respected scholar but also an endeared teacher. Her unwavering commitment to her students, her sophisticated personality and her insightful research have enriched our academic environment”, added Prof Tarannum.
Prof Rizwan Khan talked about her learning and ability to do work in all situations, despite her ill health.
Prof Samina Khan talked about her emotional bonding with Prof Seemin Hasan over the years.
Prof Sami Rafiq reminisced about her association with her from the hostel days, when as a senior she was always warm and kind to her.
Prof Asim Siddiqui highlighted her punctuality, work ethics and professionalism exhibited over the years. He said Prof Hasan never sought any concession from the Department during her ailment, which is a rare and exemplary professional conduct. He also highlighted her role as a member of the Editorial Board of the prestigious The Aligarh Journal of English Studies.
Prof Aysha Munira mentioned how Prof Hasan gave her the valuable advice to be tough and bold as a woman.
Prof Hasan’s son Dr Saif Hasan, who is an Assistant Professor in the US, also spoke on the occasion, sharing his memories as her son. Her younger son Mr. Shabih Hasan also attended the meeting.
Prof Arif Nazir, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof T.N. Satheesan and Dr. Sidhartha Chakraborti also expressed their deep felt condolences.
