Five Jamia Professors in race for Vice Chancellor post in Jamia Millia Islamia
After Najma Akhtar’s term as Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia ended on November 12, 2023, there has been talk about who will step into her shoes.
Though the university has an officiating V-C in Eqbal Hussain, the hunt for a permanent VC is on.
According to media reports, five university professors are in the race after 30 names were shortlisted for the most coveted post at Jamia. It is reported that shortlisted candidates will have group discussions followed by interviews on February 26 and February 27.
Of the five candidates in the race, Seemi Farhat Bashir from the Department of Biosciences, who has also been the dean of students, is a strong contender, said sources. Hailing from Aligarh Muslim University, she has been active on the campus for years.
The other professors are Dr Ibraheem from the Electrical Engineering department, Professor Nuzhat Parveen Khan, who is a professor and former Dean at the Faculty of Law, Jamia, Professor Majid Jameel from the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Professor Eqbal Hussain from the law faculty.
Professor Majid Jameel, a former member of the Jamia Teachers’ Association (JTA), which was dissolved during Najma Akhtar’s tenure, is also a known figure in teacher politics.
“Yes, I have been shortlisted, and I had applied for the position,” he said.
Professor Hussain, who was appointed as the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University by the former Jamia VC Najma Akhtar, is also in the race.
The other shortlisted candidates are from Aligarh Muslim University and other places.