In Aligarh, Prof Naima Khatoon, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman in over a century to hold this esteemed position. Notably, she follows in the footsteps of her husband, making history as the first woman to succeed her spouse as the Vice Chancellor of AMU.
Assuming her role as the university’s new Vice Chancellor, Prof Naima Khatoon’s appointment was sanctioned by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and received the nod from President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as the University’s Visitor.
A Remarkable Transition: Prof Naima Khatoon’s ascension to the position of Vice Chancellor from her previous role as an Acting AMU VC Prof Gulrez is unprecedented. This marks the first instance in the university’s history where a woman has been entrusted with the responsibilities of the Vice Chancellorship by her spouse.
From Student to Educator to Vice Chancellor: Prof Naima Khatoon embarked on her academic journey by completing her high school examination under the Orissa Board in 1977. Her educational pursuits led her to Aligarh Muslim University, where she obtained her intermediate, graduation, post-graduation, MPhil, and PhD degrees. Beginning her tenure as a lecturer in the Psychology Department of AMU in 1988, she steadily rose to the ranks, achieving the position of Associate Professor in 1998 and Professor in July 2006. In July 2014, Prof Naima assumed the role of Principal at the Women’s College.
Global Academic Endeavors: In addition to her contributions within AMU, Prof Naima Khatoon has shared her knowledge internationally. She spent a year teaching at the National University of Rwanda in Africa and has served as a visiting professor at renowned universities in the USA, Romania, Bangkok, Istanbul, and others. Throughout her academic career, she has authored and curated six books. Prof Naima Khatoon’s exceptional performance earned her the esteemed Papa Mian Best Student Award, and she was elected twice to the Women’s College Student Union.
It is noteworthy that Aligarh Muslim University, in its century-long history, has not witnessed a female Vice Chancellor until now. In 1920, Begum Sultan Jahan made history as the first woman to hold the position of AMU Chancellor, remaining the sole woman to have held this esteemed post to date.