Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF)

About Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF)

• MAEF was established on the occasion of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's birth centenary celebrations. 
• The Foundation is a voluntary, non-political, non-profit making social service organization.
• It was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, on 6th July 1989.
• The Foundation was established to promote education amongst the educationally backward minorities in particular and other weaker sections in general.
• It is fully funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India.
• Structure:
  • The Hon'ble Minister of Minority Affairs is Ex-Officio President of the Foundation.
  • The General Body of the Foundation consists of 15 members, of which six are ex-officio, including the President, MAEF, and rest nine are nominated by the President, MAEF.
  • The management of the Foundation is entrusted with its Governing Body, which consists of six members (including the President, MAEF) selected from amongst the members of the General Body.
• Through programmes like the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship Scheme and the Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Training Scheme, the Foundation worked to improve employment opportunities for minorities and awarded scholarships to deserving girls from religious minorities.

Q1) Who was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad?

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, born on November 11, 1888, was a scholar, educationist, freedom fighter, and senior leader of the Indian National Congress (INC). He became the youngest person to serve as President of INC in 1923, at the age of 35. He was one of the leading supporters of the non-violent civil disobedience movement that was led by Mahatma Gandhi. He was the first Education Minister of independent India. He served in the position from 1947 to 1958. He was instrumental in the establishment of premier educational institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Source: Centre orders closure of Maulana Azad Education Foundation