NEW DELHI, July 11, 2024 – The President of India has confirmed Prof. Mohammad Shakeel as the Officiating Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI). This Jamia Millia Islamia Vice-Chancellor appointment comes after a Delhi High Court ruling that invalidated the previous selection.
Jamia Millia Islamia’s New Vice-Chancellor Appointment Details
- May 22, 2024: Initial appointment of Prof. Mohammad Shakeel
- JMI Act, 1988: Governs the selection process
- Delhi High Court: Overturned previous appointment
- Statutory Compliance: Emphasized in new selection
- Leadership Stability: Goal of recent changes
Legal Background
The Delhi High Court mandated JMI to name a new Officiating Vice-Chancellor within a week, citing Statute 2(6) of the JMI Act, 1988. This directive followed the court’s finding that the previous Jamia Millia Islamia Vice-Chancellor appointment did not meet legal requirements.
Jamia Millia Islamia’s Response
JMI, a leading central university in New Delhi, moved quickly to address the leadership gap. An official statement confirmed: “The President of India, as JMI’s Visitor, has approved Prof. Mohammad Shakeel’s appointment as Officiating Vice-Chancellor under Statute 2(6) of the JMI Act, 1988.”
Impact
Prof Mohammad Shakeel’s appointment is vital for JMI’s academic and administrative functions. This leadership change aims to restore stability and ensure compliance with legal standards.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The former appointee, Eqbal Hussain, is contesting Prof. Mohammad Shakeel’s selection, claiming it violates proper procedures. This dispute underscores the complex nature of university governance and strict interpretation of statutes.
A JMI representative stated:
“Prof. Shakeel’s appointment reflects our dedication to legal compliance and institutional integrity. We’re committed to maintaining our academic standards during this transition.”
Despite the changes in leadership at JMI, there was a recent celebration as Professor Najma Akhtar, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in academia.
While legal matters may continue, the new Vice-Chancellor appointment at Jamia Millia Islamia aims to bring stability to its operations. The university is focused on ensuring a seamless transition in leadership to uphold its high educational standards.
The appointment of Prof Mohammad Shakeel as JMI’s Acting Vice-Chancellor (Prof. Mohammad Shakeel) addresses a recent leadership challenge. This event emphasizes the significance of adhering to correct procedures in academic appointments and serves as a model for other institutions dealing with similar issues.
