University of Kashmir gets its first female Vice-Chancellor

For the first time in its history, the Jammu and Kashmir government has chosen a female as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir

Professor Nilofer Khan was named Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on Thursday.

Professor Khan had been serving in the Home Science department of the varsity.

LG Sinha orders Nilofar Khan’s appointment

LG Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, in a communiqué ordered the appointment of Nilofar Khan as the new Vice-Chancellor.

“In exercise of the powers vested under him under Section 12 of the Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act, 1969, he (Manoj Sinha), Chancellor, University of Kashmir, hereby appoint Professor Nilofer Khan, Department of Home Sciences, University of Kashmir, as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir,” the order from the Office of LG said.

The order stated that the new appointment is valid for a period of three years with effect from the date the new VC takes over the charge in the varsity.

However, it said the appointment is as per the ‘the terms and conditions’ which will be ‘notified separately’.

Nilofer Khan replaces Professor Talat

It is imperative to note here that Professor Nilofar Khan has over three decades of teaching experience.

She also has the distinction of being the University’s first female Dean of Student Welfare while she previously also served as the Dean of College Development Council.

Nilofar Khan will be replacing Professor Talat Ahmad, whose term ended in August 2021.

Prof Talat was appointed for a five-year term, but after the adoption of the J&K Reorganisation Act, which came into effect after the Centre repealed Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, his term was reduced to three years.

Search Committee had submitted 3 names to Chancellor

The search committee established to choose a new Vice-Chancellor for the University of Kashmir had submitted a final panel of three candidates to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The Search Committee, led by Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary-General of the Indian Association of Universities (AIU), convened in New Delhi on April 20-21 to interview 21 shortlisted candidates from among 119 eligible applicants for the coveted position.