Riyaz Punjabi
Encyclopedia
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi, formerly the Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir
has had a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in academics, research
and voluntary action. In view of his immense contribution in these areas he was awarded the prestigious Socrates Award 2008. He was awarded the title of Honorary Professor for the International University Vienna
for his contribution in ‘Strengthening International Relations in the Sphere of Education’. The award was announced by the Europe Business Assembly (EBA) in Oxford
, London
, The Rector, International University, Vienna and President of the Club of the Rectors of Europe (Twenty European Universities) in January, 2008. This Award came for the first time to Asia
.
In 2009 Prof. Punjabi was awarded the Amity Academic Excellence Award 2009 by Amity International Business School, Amity University
for his contribution to knowledge and education.
Prof. Punjabi, in recognition to his contribution to education, culture and promoting communal harmony in J&K State
was given Fazil Memorial Award 2009 and Adbi Markaz Kamraz Award 2010. These awards have been instituted to honour eminent persons in the fields of culture in Kashmir
.
Recognizing his contribution to education
and literature
, the President of India
honoured Prof. Riyaz Punjabi on the occasion of the Republic Day
(2011) with the Padma Shri
, one of India's highest civilian awards.
, Europe
, Africa
, Canada
and Australia
. He has participated in more than 21 International Conferences and Seminars in U.S.A
, U.K.
, Switzerland
, the Netherlands
, Canada, Australia, China
, Turkey
, South Africa
, Croatia
, Bangladesh
, Kenya
, Jerusalem, and New Delhi.
Prof. Punjabi holds a degree of Doctorate in Laws and has taught and conducted researches in Jawaharlal Nehru University
(JNU) New Delhi
, Universities of Jammu
and Kashmir, Jamia Millia Islamia
, New Delhi and Indian Institute of Advanced Study
, Shimla
. He has held the positions of Professor, Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Faculty of Social Science Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Professor and Chairman, Department of Distance Education, Dean Faculty of Non Formal Education, University of Kashmir; Director, Directorate of Correspondence Courses, Director Centre for Adult Continuing & Extension Education and Director, State Resource Centre, University of Kashmir. He has been the Director, Institute of Kashmir Studies, University of Kashmir.
Prof. Punjabi has been a Visiting Research Fellow on Human Rights in the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, Visiting Professor, Academy of Third World Studies, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi and Visiting Research Fellow in the Centre for South Asian Studies, Switzerland
. He has been affiliated with research centres at the National level as a member, Board of Management, Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Member, Advisory Board, Centre for Peace and Conflict Management, Lady Shri Ram College for Women
, University of Delhi
; Member, Governing Council of International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi.
Prof. Punjabi is President, International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi and Honorary Co-Director European Institute, New Delhi. He is the founding Editor of the quarterly Journal of Peace Studies New Delhi, since 1994.
s on diverse themes and subjects. He has contributed more than 200 research papers in National and International journals on diverse themes and subjects. He has been pursuing varied themes but his main areas of work have been Peace Studies, Human Rights
, Global Terrorism, Composite Culture, Inter-religious conflicts and rise of fundamentalism
in South Asia and Sufism
. His favourite subject has been the projection of spiritual and cultural unity of people in South Asia as reflected in Sufi-Bakhti traditions of the region. In his latest edited book ‘U.S.A. and Muslim World’ Prof. Punjabi has mapped the Global Islamist Movements and projected their declining fortunes. This book has a chapter by Dr. Hamid Ansari, Hon’ble Vice President of India.
Prof. Punjabi is presently working on new themes like Sociology of Reshi order in Kashmir and Sociology of Peace.
In 1994, Prof. Punjabi set up a voluntary research group ‘Centre for Peace Studies’ in New Delhi to encourage researches and debate on human rights, peace
, spiritual unity and human brotherhood. This group later became ‘International Centre for Peace Studies’ and sustains itself on voluntary contributions and donations. This Centre has facilitated to disseminate Prof. Punjab’s publications, organize public lectures, discussions and debates to promote the cause of human rights, peace and religious harmony and inter faith dialogue. This Centre has affiliation with the international organizations and groups pursuing the similar themes. This Centre has organized hundreds of Seminars, Conferences and Interactions across the globe to promote communal amity and inter-faith dialogue
. The Centre has been publishing a quarterly Journal of Peace Studies since 1994.
in Kashmir. His article ‘Kashmiriyat: The Mystique of an Ethnicity’ published in the India International Centre
quarterly in 1990, became so popular that it was translated in several Indian languages and reproduced in several national and international publications.
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi has been reflecting in the area of religious amity by drawing inspiration from different faiths of world. He has authored several articles on Sikh faith which have been widely acclaimed. He has worked considerably on the spiritual content of Guru Granth Sahib
- the Sikh Book of faith. His article in HU Journal of Rumi foundation “Growing popularity of Sufism worldwide” was acclaimed internationally.
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi holds the membership of professional bodies in USA, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and India. He is a member of International Studies Association
, USA; International Studies Association for the Study of Forced Migrations, Netherlands; International Society for Health & Human Rights, Netherlands; International Council of Distance Education, Australia; International Peace Research Association
, Netherlands and the India International Centre and India Habitat Centre
, New Delhi.
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi has participated in more than 20 sessions of UN Council of Human Rights in Geneva
.
University of Kashmir
-Faculties/Departments:* Arts** Department of Arabic** Department of Urdu** Department of English** Department of Kashmiri** Department of Foreign Languages** Department of Library and Information Science** Department of Linguistics...
has had a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in academics, research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
and voluntary action. In view of his immense contribution in these areas he was awarded the prestigious Socrates Award 2008. He was awarded the title of Honorary Professor for the International University Vienna
International University Vienna
The International University , Vienna was an unaccredited private university located in Vienna, Austria, with a subsidiary in Kiev, Ukraine. According to IU, it was chartered in 1980 by the U.S. state of Alabama as a private degree-granting postsecondary institution. The Vienna operation was...
for his contribution in ‘Strengthening International Relations in the Sphere of Education’. The award was announced by the Europe Business Assembly (EBA) in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, The Rector, International University, Vienna and President of the Club of the Rectors of Europe (Twenty European Universities) in January, 2008. This Award came for the first time to Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
In 2009 Prof. Punjabi was awarded the Amity Academic Excellence Award 2009 by Amity International Business School, Amity University
Amity University
Amity University is a private university in Noida, India established under an Uttar Pradesh state government act....
for his contribution to knowledge and education.
Prof. Punjabi, in recognition to his contribution to education, culture and promoting communal harmony in J&K State
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
was given Fazil Memorial Award 2009 and Adbi Markaz Kamraz Award 2010. These awards have been instituted to honour eminent persons in the fields of culture in Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
.
Recognizing his contribution to education
Education
Education 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...
and literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, the President of India
President of India
The 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...
honoured Prof. Riyaz Punjabi on the occasion of the Republic Day
Republic Day (India)
The Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950....
(2011) with the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
, one of India's highest civilian awards.
Positions held
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi has lectured in the Universities and research institutions in different parts of AsiaAsia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He has participated in more than 21 International Conferences and Seminars in U.S.A
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Canada, Australia, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Jerusalem, and New Delhi.
Prof. Punjabi holds a degree of Doctorate in Laws and has taught and conducted researches in Jawaharlal Nehru University
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Jawaharlal Nehru University, also known as JNU, is located in New Delhi, the capital of India. It is mainly a research oriented postgraduate University with approximately 5,500 students and a faculty strength of around 550.-History:...
(JNU) New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, Universities of Jammu
University of Jammu
The University of Jammu was established in 1969 by an Act of the State Legislature which effectively bifurcated the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir University into the Universities of Jammu and Kashmir respectively. The University is at present located on the banks of the Tawi River...
and Kashmir, Jamia Millia Islamia
Jamia Millia Islamia
Jamia Millia Islamia is an Indian Central University located in Delhi. It was established at Aligarh in United Provinces, India in 1920. It became a Central University by an act of the Indian Parliament in 1988...
, New Delhi and Indian Institute of Advanced Study
Indian Institute of Advanced Study
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study is a prestigious research institute based in Shimla, India. It was set up by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in 1964 and it started functioning from October 20, 1965....
, 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 has held the positions of Professor, Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Faculty of Social Science Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Professor and Chairman, Department of Distance Education, Dean Faculty of Non Formal Education, University of Kashmir; Director, Directorate of Correspondence Courses, Director Centre for Adult Continuing & Extension Education and Director, State Resource Centre, University of Kashmir. He has been the Director, Institute of Kashmir Studies, University of Kashmir.
Prof. Punjabi has been a Visiting Research Fellow on Human Rights in the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, Visiting Professor, Academy of Third World Studies, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi and Visiting Research Fellow in the Centre for South Asian Studies, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. He has been affiliated with research centres at the National level as a member, Board of Management, Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Member, Advisory Board, Centre for Peace and Conflict Management, Lady Shri Ram College for Women
Lady Shri Ram College for Women
Lady Shri Ram College for Women , is a constituent college of the University of Delhi. It is recognized as one of the premier women's institutions for liberal arts education in India.It isalso known as the Wellesley of the East....
, University of Delhi
University of Delhi
The 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, Governing Council of International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi.
Prof. Punjabi is President, International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi and Honorary Co-Director European Institute, New Delhi. He is the founding Editor of the quarterly Journal of Peace Studies New Delhi, since 1994.
Academic and Research Contributions
Prof. Punjabi has authored six books and contributed chapters in 12 edited volumes and authored more than 20 occasional papers and monographMonograph
A monograph is a work of writing upon a single subject, usually by a single author.It is often a scholarly essay or learned treatise, and may be released in the manner of a book or journal article. It is by definition a single document that forms a complete text in itself...
s on diverse themes and subjects. He has contributed more than 200 research papers in National and International journals on diverse themes and subjects. He has been pursuing varied themes but his main areas of work have been Peace Studies, Human Rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, Global Terrorism, Composite Culture, Inter-religious conflicts and rise of fundamentalism
Fundamentalism
Fundamentalism is strict adherence to specific theological doctrines usually understood as a reaction against Modernist theology. The term "fundamentalism" was originally coined by its supporters to describe a specific package of theological beliefs that developed into a movement within the...
in South Asia and Sufism
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
. His favourite subject has been the projection of spiritual and cultural unity of people in South Asia as reflected in Sufi-Bakhti traditions of the region. In his latest edited book ‘U.S.A. and Muslim World’ Prof. Punjabi has mapped the Global Islamist Movements and projected their declining fortunes. This book has a chapter by Dr. Hamid Ansari, Hon’ble Vice President of India.
Prof. Punjabi is presently working on new themes like Sociology of Reshi order in Kashmir and Sociology of Peace.
In 1994, Prof. Punjabi set up a voluntary research group ‘Centre for Peace Studies’ in New Delhi to encourage researches and debate on human rights, peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
, spiritual unity and human brotherhood. This group later became ‘International Centre for Peace Studies’ and sustains itself on voluntary contributions and donations. This Centre has facilitated to disseminate Prof. Punjab’s publications, organize public lectures, discussions and debates to promote the cause of human rights, peace and religious harmony and inter faith dialogue. This Centre has affiliation with the international organizations and groups pursuing the similar themes. This Centre has organized hundreds of Seminars, Conferences and Interactions across the globe to promote communal amity and inter-faith dialogue
Interfaith dialog
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
. The Centre has been publishing a quarterly Journal of Peace Studies since 1994.
Contributions to Kashmir Studies
Prof. Punjabi has made immense contribution in the field of Kashmir Studies. Through his publications, public lectures and discussions he has been projecting the syncretic culture of Kashmir Valley. He has been underlining the spiritual continuity of different faiths in Kashmir which culminated in the form of KashmiriyatKashmiriyat
Kashmiriyat is the ethno-national and social consciousness and cultural values of the Kashmiri people. Emerging approximately around the 16th century, it is characterised by religious and cultural harmony, patriotism and pride for their mountainous homeland of Kashmir...
in Kashmir. His article ‘Kashmiriyat: The Mystique of an Ethnicity’ published in the India International Centre
India International Centre
The India International Centre is a well known non-official organization situated in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1958, and inaugurated in 1968...
quarterly in 1990, became so popular that it was translated in several Indian languages and reproduced in several national and international publications.
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi has been reflecting in the area of religious amity by drawing inspiration from different faiths of world. He has authored several articles on Sikh faith which have been widely acclaimed. He has worked considerably on the spiritual content of Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
- the Sikh Book of faith. His article in HU Journal of Rumi foundation “Growing popularity of Sufism worldwide” was acclaimed internationally.
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi holds the membership of professional bodies in USA, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and India. He is a member of International Studies Association
International Studies Association
The International Studies Association was founded by a group of scholars and practitioners in 1959 to pursue mutual interests in international studies. Representing eighty countries, ISA has over three thousand members worldwide and is the most respected and widely known scholarly association in...
, USA; International Studies Association for the Study of Forced Migrations, Netherlands; International Society for Health & Human Rights, Netherlands; International Council of Distance Education, Australia; International Peace Research Association
International Peace Research Association
International Peace Research Association is a peace research organization founded in 1964. It is member of the International Social Science Council.-History:...
, Netherlands and the India International Centre and India Habitat Centre
India Habitat Centre
The India Habitat Centre, located in New Delhi, India, was conceived to be a catalyst relationship between individuals and institutions working in habitat related areas to increase their effectiveness...
, New Delhi.
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi has participated in more than 20 sessions of UN Council of Human Rights in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
.