Bhubaneswar, May 4: Naima Khatoon, a native of Odisha's Jajpur district, has shattered the century-old glass ceiling by being appointed as the first female vice-chancellor of the esteemed Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Her appointment, sanctioned by President Droupadi Murmu, marks a historic milestone for both Khatoon and the university.

In a significant stride towards gender equality, AMU now stands as the third central university to have a woman at the helm. Joining the ranks of Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Najma Akhtar, who completed her tenure at Jamia Millia Islamia in 2023, Khatoon's ascension underscores progress in academia.

Khatoon's journey to this pinnacle of leadership began modestly, starting as a lecturer at AMU in August 1988. Through dedication and merit, she ascended the academic ladder, achieving the status of Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Psychology. Notably, Khatoon served as the principal of AMU's Women's College for a decade, from 2014 onward, prior to her latest appointment.

Her scholarly pursuits extend beyond national borders, with a Ph.D. in Political Psychology earned through research conducted at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, and AMU. Khatoon's academic contributions have been showcased globally, with presentations at esteemed institutions such as the University of Louisville (USA), the University of Alba Iulia (Romania), and Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok).

Khatoon's inauguration as vice-chancellor represents a triumphant moment for both her and the university, symbolizing progress towards inclusivity and gender parity in higher education.

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