President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday appointed Professor Mazhar Asif of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi as the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia. This announcement, made by Union Ministry of Education officials, marks a new chapter for the university following the end of Najma Akhtar’s tenure in November 2023. Asif, who currently serves as a professor in the School of Languages at JNU, will hold the position for a term of five years or until he reaches the age of 70, whichever comes first.
A distinguished alumnus of JNU, Professor Asif has contributed significantly to India’s academic landscape, including his involvement on the drafting committee for the National Education Policy, 2020. He has served on the Executive Councils of both JNU and the Maulana Azad National Urdu University, and he has held notable positions within the National Institute of Open Schooling and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language.
Professor Asif has authored nine books in Persian, English, and Assamese, including a Persian-Assamese-English dictionary that highlights his linguistic prowess. His academic engagement is further demonstrated through over 20 research papers presented at prestigious national and international conferences, underscoring his active participation in advancing educational discourse.
The Vice Chancellor position at Jamia Millia Islamia has been vacant since November 2023 following Najma Akhtar’s term conclusion. The appointment of Professor Asif is widely seen as a step toward continued academic excellence and reform at Jamia Millia Islamia, with expectations high for his leadership to drive innovation and inclusivity in one of India’s foremost universities.