Coinciding with the birth anniversary of its founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the two-day meet deliberated on the need to streamline resources for making the university a world class institution in the next 20 years.

Ansari, who passed out from the varsity in 1959, reminded the delegates of the founder's purpose for establishing the over 100-year-old institution in Aligarh, asking them to revert back to the message of Syed Ahmad.

"This is time to do cost accountancy and time to introspect. The institution was instituted in 1875 in response to a specific need to impart modern education to Muslims and inculcate in them a spirit of rational thinking," the ex-diplomat said.

"We need to revert to the message of Syed Ahmed Khan," he said, pointing to the need of philanthropic efforts to draw the marginalised sections towards education and channelise incomes for setting up more institutions.

A number of participants from the US including leading scientists and entrepreneurs pledged their support for the establishment of a ‘modern centre for entrepreneurship’ at the AMU which could play an important role in fulfilling the country's need for technological innovators.

The AMU Chancellor, former Chief Justice of India A M Ahmadi said that a major objective of holding the meet was for the establishment of alumni foundation which would lead to the academic rejuvenation of the institution.

Among those who addressed the meet were T V Rajeswar, Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Syed Sibtey Razi, Governor of Jharkhand.