Jamia Millia Islamia gets JNU professor Mazhar Asif as vice-chancellor

NEW DELHI: Professor Mazhar Asif has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia. Arif is a professor at the school of languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He succeeded Najma Akhtar who became the first lady VC of JMI in 2019. President Droupadi Murmu gave her nod to Asif's appointment, being a visitor of the university.

“I am directed to convey that in exercise of powers conferred under under Statutes of Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988, the President of India, in her capacity as the Visitor of the JMI, has been pleased to appoint Prof. Mazhar Asif. School of Languages, JNU, New Delhi as the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia for a period of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office or until he attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier,” said the government in an official notice.

Asif completed a Master of Arts (MA) and PhD degrees from JNU. His areas of interest are Sufism and medieval history of India. The professor has over 20 years of experience in teaching at postgraduate level. He has published more than 25 articles and nine books in Persian-English and Assamese languages and presented over 20 research papers in national and international conferences and seminars.

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Moreover, the newly appointed VC has been a member of the drafting committee of the National Education Policy (NEP), national monitoring committee for education, and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) peer team, among others. He served as the chairman of the National Institute of Open Schooling, regional centre, Guwahati.

Mohammad Shakeel had been serving as the officiating VC of the university. He was appointed in May this year, after the Delhi High Court cancelled the appointment of Eqbal Hussain over violation of statutes and directed the university to make a fresh appointment within a week. The court had also asked the President to order commencement of the process of appointing a regular VC in the meantime.