The Governor of Manipur and former Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Najma A. Heptulla, has been unanimously elected as Chancellor (Amir-e-Jamia) of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) for five years by the University’s Court (Anjuman). She is the first woman chancellor of the university since its establishment in 1920.
Announcing the decision on Monday, JMI said that the 77-year old succeeds Lt. Gen. (Retd.) M. A. Zaki, who has completed his five-year term.
Expressing his happiness over Ms. Heptulla’s election as Chancellor, vice-chancellor of JMI Talat Ahmad said: “The university will greatly benefit from Ms. Heptulla’s rich experience in both political and public life. It will be our privilege to work with her and to learn from her distinguished career in Parliament and internationally.”
Professor Ahmad also thanked the outgoing Chancellor for his “unstinting support and guidance”.
The University said in a statement that Ms. Heptulla is the grand niece of Independent India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. She has been a five-time member of the Rajya Sabha between 1986 and 2012 and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for sixteen years.
