Prof Mazhar Asif is new Jamia Milia VC

Prof Mazhar Asif from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI). The position had been vacant since November 2023 following the term of Najma Akhtar, the first woman to hold the office.

The appointment was officially approved by President Droupadi Murmu in her capacity as JMI’s Visitor on Thursday. Prof Asif will serve a five-year term, or until he reaches the age of 70, whichever comes first.

Asif succeeds Najma Akhtar, whose term ended on November 12, 2023, after which Prof Eqbal Hussain and later Professor Mohammad Shakeel served as officiating VCs. For almost a year, an official VC was not appointed to the post. A distinguished scholar in Chinese and East Asian Studies, Prof Asif has made significant contributions to academia through his research and teaching at JNU.