Noted educationist and former Calicut University vice-chancellor K A Jaleel, 90, died at a private hospital in Kozhikode on Wednesday. His funeral was held on Thursday. Professor Jaleel held many positions of eminence during his long career stretching over half a century. As principal of Farook College from 1957 to 1979, he etched an unparalleled name for himself. He was the founder-chairman of the Social Advancement Foundation of India (SAFI), chairman of the Wakf Board, advisor to the All India Muslim Educational Society and Kerala Muslim Educational Society, trustee of the P M Foundation, president of the Calicut English Association, and vice-president of the Raulathul Uloom Association. People from different walks of life condoled Prof Jaleel’s death. P K Abdul Azis, former vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, said that the country had lost an eminent educationalist. “It was Prof. Jaleel who lifted Farook College to one of the top ranking institutions in the country,” Dr Azis said. Born in 1922 at North Paravur, he completed his higher education from U C College, Aluva, and University College, Thiruvananthapuram. He taught the English language at Farook College for eight years before assuming charge of the principal. He was vice-chancellor of Calicut University from 1979 to 1983. He penned many books and was awarded the I C Chacko Award of the Kerala Sahitya Academy, Shah Sahib Award, Ramasramam Award, and Rotary Award for Excellence in Education. Prof Jaleel is survived by his wife E T Noorjahan and children T A Suhara, T A Shoukathali, T A Nazim and T A Halim. From GT