Najma Akhtar | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Akhtar in 2022 | |
| 15th Vice-Chancellor ofJamia Millia Islamia | |
| In office 12 April 2019 – 12 November 2023 | |
| Chancellor | Najma Heptulla Mufaddal Saifuddin |
| Preceded by | Prof.Talat Ahmad |
| Succeeded by | Mazhar Asif |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1953-11-13)13 November 1953 (age 72) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Aligarh Muslim University Kurukshetra University |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
Najma Akhtar (born 1953) is an Indian academic and academic administrator. She served as the Vice Chancellor ofJamia Millia Islamia from 12 April 2019 until 12 November 2023.[1] She is also the first woman to hold the post in JMI.[2] In 2022, she was awarded withPadma Shri by the Government of India.[3]
Akhtar was born in 1953.[4] She studied atAligarh Muslim University, where she was a gold medalist and earned aNational Science Talent Scholarship.[5] She has a PhD in Education fromKurukshetra University.[2][4][6] She received aCommonwealth Fellowship to study University administration at theUniversity of Warwick in the UK[6] and also trained at the International Institute of Educational Planning at Paris (France).
Akhtar worked for fifteen years at theNational Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, leading courses for senior officials from 130 countries.[5] She established the first state-level management institute atAllahabad and was the Controller of Examination and Director of Academic Programs at Aligarh Muslim University.[5] She has been a consultant toUNESCO,UNICEF andDANIDA.[5][7]
In April 2019, theMinistry of Human Resource Development received approval from thePresident of India,Ram Nath Kovind, to appoint Akhtar as vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia for a five year term or till attaining the age of 70 whichever is earlier and served their till 12 November 2023.[2][7] Akhtar has been an advocate forgender equity[5] and is known for leading teams of diverse cultural backgrounds.[4][8] She said her goal is to establish a medical college at Jamia during her tenure.[9] Of her appointment as the first female vice chancellor in the university's 99 year history, she said, "My aim was not to break the glass ceiling but I was definitely against the glass ceiling. Why is it even there, if you hold the same educational qualifications and experience?"[9]
In 2022, Akhtar was awarded withPadma Shri by the Government of India.[3] On 19 January 2023, she was conferred with the honorary rank ofColonel and appointed "Colonel Commandant" of Jamia Millia Islamia.[10]