Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh was established in 1920, and evolved out of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College) which was set up in 1877 by the great visionary and social reformer, Sir Syed Ahmad khan. It is one of the leading universities in India, is an academic institution of transnational repute. occupies a unique position amongst universities and institutions of higher learning in the country. From its very inception, it has kept its door open to the members of all communities and from all corners of the country and the world. The Aligarh Muslim University is the realization of a vision which was broad, far- reaching and realistic. It is a leading educational institution in India, drawing students from a number of countries, especially in Africa, West Asia and South East Asia.
AMU offers more than 300 courses in the traditional and modern branches of education. In spite of the establishment of a numbers of universities and institutions of higher learning all over the country, this university has been maintaining its national and international character as an institution of excellence. It has more than 28,000, students, 1,342 teachers and some 5,610 non-teaching staff on its rolls. The university now has 12 faculties comprising 98 teaching departments, 3 academies and 15 centres and institution. Modelled on the University of Cambridge, it holds the distinction of being one of the first institutions of higher learning set up during the British Raj.