Sir Ziauddin Ahmed was born in 1877 in the picturesque town of Meerut in India. An outstanding and versatile educationist and a political figure, he was also the longest serving Vice-Chancellor in the history of Aligarh Muslim University. His close association with Sir Syed Ahmed Khan added to his immortal stature and dignity. His untimely demise left a big void in the university and in the lives of his well-wishers. He died on 23rd December 1947 in London, and was buried in the premises of the main mosque of Aligarh Muslim University, along side Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

Sir Ziauddin Ahmed did his Bachelor of Arts, with distinction, in 1895 from M.A.O. College, Aligarh, Master of Arts in Mathematics from Calcutta, and Allahabad Universities in the year 1897 and 1898 respectively. He joined Trinity College, Cambridge in 1901 for Honours degree in Mathematics, and graduated with excellence by securing first position. In 1904 Sir Ziauddin was awarded the Sir Isaac Newton Scholarship, a rare honour for a foreign graduate. He was the first Indian to achieve this award. His thirst for knowledge took him to Gottingen University, Germany. In 1905 he completed his Ph.D. in Mathematics. In addition to this, Sir Ziauddin also visited Paris University in France, and Bologna University in Italy in the year 1905 for advanced studies in his chosen field of Mathematics.

On his return from Europe, Sir Ziauddin Ahmed devoted the rest of his life to the Aligarh Muslim University. When M.A.O. College was given the status of a University in 1920, he became its first Pro Vice Chancellor. In 1935 he was elected as the Vice Chancellor and remained so until 1946, thus becoming the longest serving Vice Chancellor in the history of Aligarh Muslim University to date. In 1946 he was appointed as Rector of the University and held the position until his death in 1947.

Sir Ziauddin Ahmed was dedicated to Aligarh University and took keen interest in University affairs and raised funds for the University time and again.

Sir Ziauddin Ahmed supported the Pakistan Movement and encouraged the students of Aligarh Muslim University to play an active role in this historic movement. He was also chosen by the Quaid-e-Azam to be the General Secretary of the Muslim League Parliamentary Party.

Sir Ziauddin Ahmed’s dream to start a medical college at Aligarh Muslim University was not realized in his lifetime, but has come true with the establishment of the Ziauddin Medical University in Karachi, Pakistan.