Professor Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the first female Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for a five-year term. This is a first in the university's over 100-year history.
Professor Naima Khatoon has been named as the first-ever woman Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for a tenure of five years. The appointment, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as the Visitor to the University, marks a significant milestone in the institution's over 100-year history.
According to a notification issued, "The President of India, in her capacity as the Visitor of the Aligarh Muslim University and in exercise of the powers vested in her under Statute 2(1) of the Statutes of the University, has been pleased to appoint Prof. Naima Khatoon, Professor/Principal, Women's College, AMU as the Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh for a period of five (05) years from the date on which she enters upon her office or the date on which she completes seventy years of age, whichever is earlier."
Furthermore, it was stated that the Election Commission of India, in a letter dated 09.04.2024, expressed no objection to the proposal concerning the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, AMU, from the perspective of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). However, it was emphasized that no publicity should be made, and no political advantage should be sought from the appointment.
Professor Naima Khatoon, who has a distinguished academic background, has served at AMU for several years. Having completed her PhD in psychology from AMU, she began her journey as a lecturer in the department in 1988 and was subsequently promoted to the position of professor in 2006. In 2014, she assumed the role of Principal at the Women's College, news agency PTI reported.
Established in 1875 as Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, it attained university status in 1920 through the Aligarh Muslim University Act. Despite reaching its centenary milestone in 2020, the university had not witnessed a woman serving as its vice-chancellor until now.
Begum Sultan Jahan, appointed as the AMU chancellor in 1920, remains the only woman to have held the position thus far, according to PTI.
