Retiring but not tired: JMI V-C Najma Akhtar

NAJMA AKHTAR, the first woman Vice Chancellor (V-C) of the Jamia Millia Islamia University, who is set to retire next week, said she was thankful to the BJP government for looking after the university well. "No other government had thought of giving a medical college to the university," the V-C said.

- IFRAH MUFTI

Asked about her post retirement plans, Akhtar told this newspaper, "I may be retiring but I am not tired and it is up to the government whichever service it chooses for me." Akhtar took over as the V-C of JMI in 2019 ahead of its centenary year. In 2022, she was awarded with Padma Shri by the government of India. On January 19, 2023, she was conferred with the honorary rank of Colonel and appointed Colonel Commandment of the university.