Meet Prof Naima Khatoon Gulrez - First Female VC of AMU
Prof Naima Khatoon Gulrez is the first woman in more than 100 years old history of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to be appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the prestigious Central University.
Aligarh: Professor Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) by the President of India Monday April 22, 2024.
Prof Naima Khatoon Gulrez is the first woman in more than 100 years old history of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to be appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the prestigious Central University.
Professor Naima is currently the Principal of AMU Women's College.
"The President of lndia, in her capacity as the Visitor of AMU, has been pleased to appoint Professor Naima Khatoon, Professor/Principal, Women’s College, as the Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University for a period of five (5) years from the date on which she enters upon his office or the date on which she completes seventy years of age, whichever is earlier,” the Department of Higher Education which comes under the Union Education Ministry said in a letter to AMU.
The post of Vice Chancellor at AMU was lying vacant ever since Prof Tariq Mansoor demitted the office after being nominated as a member of the Legislative Council (MLC), Uttar Pradesh a year ago.
As the appointment of the full time VC was pending, Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of AMU, was working as acting VC.
Who is Prof Naima Khatoon?
An alumnus of AMU, Prof Naima Khatoon did her schooling in Odisha and shifted to AMU where, after completing her pre-university degree, she studied psychology at the undergraduate and post-graduate level in 1981 and 1983, respectively. She was later awarded PhD in psychology in 1989, according to the AMU website.
Before her appointment as AMU VC, Prof Naima served as Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Psychology before joining as Principal, Women's College in July 2014. She was Professor since July 2006, Associate Professor since April 1998 and lecturer since August 1988. She also taught in the National University of Rwanda, Central Africa for one academic year.
She has attended and presented papers in numerous National and International conferences. She has also visited and delivered lectures in the University of Louis Ville, USA, University of Alba Lulia, Romania, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, Hollings Centre, Istanbul, Turkey and Hollings Centre for International Dialogue, Boston, USA.
She has authored/co-authored/edited six books and published a number of papers in the Journals of National and International repute. She has supervised fifteen Ph.D. theses and a large number of dissertations.
Her area of specialization is in the field of Clinical, Health, Applied Social and Spiritual Psychology. She also served as the Deputy Coordinator of UGC assisted Special Assistance Program on Spiritual Psychology in the Department of Psychology, AMU.
Apart from academics, Prof. Naima Khatoon has vast experience in Educational Administration. She served as Provost in Indira Gandhi Hall and twice in Abdullah Hall.
She also served as Deputy Director, Residential Coaching Academy and Deputy Proctor of AMU. She was elected twice to the Women's College Student Union.
She has also held the post of Literary Secretary and Senior Hall Monitor of both Abdullah Hall and Sarojini Naidu Hall. She was awarded the Papa Mian Padma Bhushan Best Girl Award for all-around excellence.
Controversies
Prof Naima Khatoon is wife of Prof Muhammad Gulrez, who served as acting AMU VC after Prof Tariq Mansoor joined the politics.
Prof Naima was one of the three short-listed by the panel headed by her husband Prof Gulrez in November 2023. Her selection hence sparked a controversy. The decision was challenged in the Allahabad High Court but the petition was dismissed.
The matter was again challenged in the High Court where an order is pending.
Founded in 1875, Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College became AMU in 1920, following the Aligarh Muslim University Act. In 1920, Begum Sultan Jahan was appointed as the AMU chancellor. She continues to be the only woman to have held the post.
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