In pursuance of the National Policy on Education 1986 and its Programme of Action, UGC at the first instance established 48 Academic Staff Colleges all over the country.

Academic Staff College , Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh was established in July 1987. 

The objectives of the Academic Staff College are to enable the (newly appointed) lecturers to :

• Understand the significance of education in general, and higher education in particular, in the global and Indian contexts.
• Realize the linkages between education and economic and socio-economic and cultural development with particular reference to the Indian polity where democracy, secularism and social-equity are the basic tenets of society.
• Acquire and improve basic skills of teaching at the college/university level to achieve the goals of higher education
• Be aware of the latest developments in their specific subject.
• Appreciate the organization and management of college/university and to perceive the role of teachers in total system.
• Utilize opportunities for development of personality, initiative and creativity.