Meet Naima Khatoon, First Vice Chancellor of AMU, Know Her Background and Education Qualification

The President of India, Draupadi Murmu gave her consent for the appointment of Ms. Namia Khatoon as the Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University. She has created a history in the field of Indian academia.

Founded in 1875 as Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was granted university status in 1920 by the Aligarh Muslim University Act. The university has an extensive history, but up until today, a female vice-chancellor has never been appointed. Begum Sultan Jahan was the only woman to hold a high position at AMU in 1920, sitting as chancellor.

As one of the most historic universities in India, AMU celebrated its centennial in September 2020, a momentous occasion. The institution makes a historic step toward gender inclusiveness at the highest administrative level with the appointment of Dr. Naima Khatoon. Let's have an insight into the different aspects of Dr. Khatoon as a true academician:

Early Academic Positions

Prof. Naima Khatoon has held a distinguished career in academia and administration. Starting her career in August 1988 as a lecturer, she advanced to become an Associate Professor in April 1998 and was promoted to Professor in July 2006. During her tenure, she also had the opportunity to teach at the National University of Rwanda in Central Africa for one academic year.

Leadership Roles in Academia

In July 2014, Prof. Khatoon took on the role of Principal at Women's College, after serving as the Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Psychology. Her extensive experience includes her current position as Director of the Centre for Skill Development & Career Planning at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), a role she has held since October 2015.

Educational Background

Prof. Khatoon earned her PhD in Political Psychology, conducting her research at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, and Aligarh Muslim University.

Contributions to Conferences and Lectures Worldwide

She is an active participant in the academic community, having attended and presented papers at numerous national and international conferences. Prof. Khatoon has also delivered lectures at prestigious institutions around the world, including the University of Louisville, USA, University of Alba Lulia, Romania, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, Hollings Centre in Istanbul, Turkey, and Hollings Centre for International Dialogue in Boston, USA.

Publications and Research Supervision

Prof. Khatoon has authored, co-authored, or edited six books and has published many papers in journals of national and international repute. She has supervised fifteen Ph.D. theses and numerous dissertations in her specialized fields of Clinical, Health, Applied Social, and Spiritual Psychology.

Additional Roles and Honors

In her administrative capacity, Prof. Khatoon has served as Provost of Indira Gandhi Hall and Abdullah Hall, Deputy Director of the Residential Coaching Academy, and Deputy Proctor of AMU. She has been actively involved in student governance, being elected twice to the Women's College Student Union, and has held positions such as Literary Secretary and Senior Hall Monitor at Abdullah Hall and Sarojini Naidu Hall. Her excellence was recognized with the Papa Mian Padma Bhushan Best Girl Award for all-around excellence.

Legacy and Influence

Beyond her academic and administrative duties, Prof. Naima Khatoon's career is marked by a profound commitment to the development of educational policies and practices, as well as a deep dedication to the advancement of her students and her institution.