Anil Wilson
Encyclopedia
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n educationist who served as Principal of St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University. Famous for its rich history and many traditions, St...
from 1991 to 2007.
Anil Wilson's father, M. M. Wilson, was a school Headmaster in Gorton Mission School Kotgarh, Shimla
Shimla
Shimla , formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British...
, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east...
. Anil Wilson was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers at St Edward's School, Shimla
Shimla
Shimla , formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British...
. He graduated from Panjab University, later earning a Masters degree in English Literature
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
from the Centre for Post Graduate Studies, Shimla. He was selected by the Public Service Commission to work in the lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
s cadre in Colleges in Manddi Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east...
. During his early years as lecturer he went on to obtain his M.Phil and his Ph.D. He was awarded Ph.D. on his dissertation on the nobel laureate, Isaac Bashevis Singer
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Isaac Bashevis Singer – July 24, 1991) was a Polish Jewish American author noted for his short stories. He was one of the leading figures in the Yiddish literary movement, and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1978...
's fiction titled "The Art and Vision of Isaac Bashevis Singer: An Interpretation".
In January 1991 he was selected to head St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University. Famous for its rich history and many traditions, St...
. Wilson was the eleventh Principal of the prestigious institute and the first to have been appointed without prior teaching experience at the same college. Throughout his tenure as Principal, however, he continued to serve as a lecturer in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
to all three years of the undergraduate honours programme.
In 1996 he was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Himachal Pradesh University where he also officiated as the Vice Chancellor, but before he could complete his term there he was recalled by St. Stephen's College. He was later appointed as regular vice chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla in 2007. He continued in this position until January 2008, when he had to quit on account of his failing health.
Awards
Anil Wilson received numerous awards from various organizations and bodies, including:- The Beresford Hope Award (1984; from St. Augustine's Foundation, England)
- Soka University Award of Highest Honour (1992)
- The Indira GandhiIndira GandhiIndira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
Priyadarshini Award for outstanding achievements and contribution to educationEducationEducation in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
(1999) - The Distinguished Educationist Award (2001)
Affiliations
He was associated in academic and administrative capacities with a number of universities and colleges abroad including University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
, University of Macao, Christ Church College Canterbury, University of California at Berkeley and Westcott House Cambridge (UK). He participated in conferences and symposia at a number of universities abroad including Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
(USA), Soka University (Japan), National University of Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), University of Macao, Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
(Bangkok), et al. He was a founder member of the SRG Medical College in Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
.
Membership
Wilson served as a member of number of national boards and committees:- Nominated by President of IndiaPresident of IndiaThe President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
to the Executive Committee of the North Eastern Hill UniversityNorth Eastern Hill UniversityNorth Eastern Hill University is a Central University established on 19 July 1973 by an Act of Indian Parliament. The University is located in the suburb of Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya within the union of India...
(ShillongShillong-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
) - Nominee of GovernorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of JharkhandJharkhandJharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
on the Executive Council of the Birla Institute of TechnologyBirla Institute of TechnologyBirla Institute of Technology, Mesra , is an autonomous engineering and technology oriented institute of higher education located in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India...
, (Mesra, Ranchi). - Executive Council of the University of DelhiUniversity of DelhiThe University of Delhi is a central university situated in Delhi, India and is funded by Government of India. Established in 1922, it offers courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the Chancellor of the university...
- Member, SAARC committee on Cultural Activities
- TrusteeTrusteeTrustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
, Muhammad Abdus Salam Foundation (London) - Advisory Panel
- State Board for Higher Education of Madhya PradeshMadhya PradeshMadhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
- State Advisory Board of Higher Education Himachal Pradesh
- Senate, Serampore University
- Member, Executive Committee of the Council for the Indian School Certificate ExaminationsCouncil for the Indian School Certificate ExaminationsThe Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations is a private, non-governmental board of school education in India. It conducts two examinations in India: the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education and the Indian School Certificate...
Death
Wilson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
in October 2008. He donated his organs for further medical research on the disease. He died on 25 June 2009 and was buried at the Nicholson Cemetery in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. He was survived by his mother Mrs. D Wilson, wife Rita (an educationist herself), son Amit, daughter-in-law Pooja and daughter Aparna.
External links
- http://www.yearnindia.net/yearnDoc/cv-wilson.htm
- http://hpuniv.nic.in/vcoff.htm
- http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/05/stories/2007010516920200.htm
- http://www.careerlauncher.com/company/people/advisory_board.html