New Delhi

Prof. Naima Khatoon, whose appointment as the first woman Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University created history, has authored six books in her field of specialization - Clinical, Health, Applied Social, and Spiritual Psychology.

With impeccable academic and administrative experience, Prof Naima Khatoon has so far supervised 15 doctoral theses.

According to AMU’s release, Prof Naima Khatoon also taught at the National University of Rwanda, Central Africa for one academic year. Professor Prof Khatoon has so far supervised 15 doctoral theses as Chairperson of the Department of Psychology of the AMU.

She has also delivered lectures at the University of Louis Ville, USA, University of Alba Lulia, Romania, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, Hollings Centre, Istanbul, Turkey and Hollings Centre for International Dialogue, Boston, USA. 

Naima Khatoon holds a PhD degree in Political Psychology for which she worked at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi and Aligarh Muslim University. Her PhD thesis on ‘A Comparative Study of Patterns of Political Segregation and Socio-Psychological Correlations in Hindu and Muslim Youth’ shows her in-depth knowledge and understanding of some of the most complex issues.

She tries to examine how parochial loyalties have become an impediment to nationalism in India. 

It is a sincere attempt to understand the shortcomings in the integration of Hindus and Muslims in India.

Prof Naima held various positions such as Director, the Centre for Skill Development & Career Planning, AMU, and the Deputy Coordinator of UGC assisted Special Assistance Program on Spiritual Psychology in the Department of Psychology, AMU.

Prof Naima Khatoon with a foreign delegation

She has vast experience in educational administration as she served as Provost in Indira Gandhi Hall and twice in Abdullah Hall. She also served as Deputy Director, of Residential Coaching Academy and Deputy Proctor of AMU.

She was elected twice to the Women's College Student Union. She has also held the post of Literary Secretary and Senior Hall Monitor of both Abdullah Hall and Sarojini Naidu Hall. She was awarded the Papa Mian Padma Bhushan Best Girl Award for all-around excellence.

Her appointment brings back the trend of the golden era of Islam when women were considered equal to men in trusting them for leadership positions.

This used to be a practice during Hazrat Muhammad’s time. Aisha, his wife was known as one of the most influential scholars. 

Later this practice was relegated to the background and patriarchal ideas became powerful. India was no exception until recently a positive trend could be seen. 

Perhaps Prof Naima Khatoon’s appointment is an offshoot of the Government’s success story in appointing Dr Najma Akhtar as Jamia Milia Islamia’s Vice-Chancellor.

Prof Naima Khatoon attending functions at the AMU

Padma Shri Najma Akhtar was known for innovations in educational governance during her four-decade career.

In her tenure, the Jamia Milia Islamia’s overall ranking as an academic institute improved drastically. When she joined JMI in 2019, it was in the 12th position in the NIRF ranking. A year later it secured the 10th position and the 6th in 2021. 

In 2022 JMI figured among the top three universities of India as per NIRF ranking. And from grade ‘A’ awarded by NAAC in 2015, JMI was awarded the most coveted A++ Grade in 2021.

JMI grew leaps and bounds in every domain of learning and education under her leadership.

Similarly, Prof Nilofar Khan was made the first woman VC of the University of Kashmir in 2022. She too is a distinguished academician and administrator and has a teaching experience of more than 30 years. 

She has been working towards nurturing students’ talents and empowering students by providing them with the required training and infrastructure to hone their skills and talent in academics and sports.

Other than appointing Muslim women in leadership roles in academics, the Government has also appointed Muslim women in other important leadership positions in Kashmir, such as Dr Darashan Andrabi as Wakf Board and Safina Beg as Haj Committee chairperson. 

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Such appointments not only provide Muslim women an opportunity to realize their full potential but also act as an inspiration for girls. 

Such moves also bring a fresh perspective and approach towards effective leadership requirements and innovation.