After 99 Years, Jamia Appoints Its First Woman Vice-Chancellor, Also First Among Delhi’s Central Universities

For the first time since its inception 99 years ago, Jamia Millia Islamia appointed its first woman vice-chancellor (VC) in Professor Najma Akhtar on Thursday (10 April), reports Indian Express.

Professor Akhtar who hails from National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) will also be the first woman vice-chancellor of any central university in Delhi. Akhtar will succeed Talat Ahmad as the sixteenth V-C of Jamia Milia Islamia.

“It is a progressive landmark in the history of educational leadership and a matter of pride for Jamia Millia Islamia. The whole JMI fraternity accorded a warm welcome to the decision, and has assured sincere cooperation,” said Jamia public relations officer (PRO) Ahmed Azeem in a statement.

Some of the famous personalities who were former Jamia VCs include former president Zakir Husain, former Delhi L-G Najeeb Jung and noted historian, the late Mushirul Hasan.

Progress And Regress

However, in a sign of growing intolerance in the University, the engineering department of Jamia recently cancelled a fashion show after protests erupted in the campus led by a 12-strong student group under the banner of 'Students of Jamia.'

The protesting group claimed that such activities were against Islamic ethics and cultural ethos of Jamia. Arshad Warsi, a member of Students of Jamia, said they initially called the organisers to tell them the event was “against Islamic ethos,” but when there was no response, they went to the venue and took charge.

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