On Wednesday 23rd November 2022, a group of teachers who had completed their teacher training courses at the former Eaton Hall College of Education in the early 1970s visited Jamia Al-Karam where the UK Branch of the World Organisation for Al-Azhar Graduates is situated. The visit was organised by Mrs Janet Landon, churchwarden at the Church of St Peters in Headon cum Upton, herself a former student of the College of Education, and the group also included Mr Tony Prosser and his wife, both former students of the College of Education.
The group were welcomed by the Vice-President of Al-Azhar Alumni UK, Bakhtyar Pirzada al-Azhari, and Maroof Pirzada, UK Director of Muslim Charity. The visit included presentations on the current educational projects underway at this historic campus and the continued role of the founder of Jamia Al-Karam and President of Al-Azhar Alumni UK, Shaykh Muhammad Imdad Hussain Pirzada, as well as refreshments, tea and a tour of the campus.
Discussions were informative for both previous and current occupants of Eaton Hall in understanding the wondrous journey this historic campus has undertaken from the 1970s to today. Touring the campus brought back many memories for the guests of their student years spent in this rural landscape. Indeed much has changed, but then much was still the same!
Hearing of the work and the role that the Eaton Hall College of Education of the 1970s played in training teachers in this country was quite intriguing, and there was appreciation by the guests – who have spent their lives as teachers – knowing that the campus is still being used for educational and charitable purposes. A mutual desire was expressed of discovering more and preserving the past and present history of the campus.
Guests left with rekindled memories, smiles and gifts relating to current projects underway at the Eaton Hall campus.
