NEW DELHI: A week after Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor (V-C) Najma Akhtar’s tenure ended and Pro V-C Eqbal Hussain was appointed as the officiating V-C till a new individual took over, senior faculty members expressed concern over the development and demanded withdrawal of what they alleged is an “erroneous” order.
Akhtar’s tenure had ended on November 10 following which the office of the Registrar issued an order dated November 12 stating that consequent upon the completion of tenure of Professor Najma Akhtar as V-C, Professor Hussain shall discharge the duties of officiating V-C in accordance with the provisions of the Jamia Act 1988.
A senior professor at the university said on the condition of anonymity, “The order regarding officiating Vice Chancellor is erroneous and should be withdrawn in the light of relevant statutes. The Jamia Act and statutes clearly spells out that the appointment of Pro V-C shall be done by the executive council on the recommendations of the Vice Chancellor.
However till the expiry of the term of former Vice Chancellor, the appointment of Pro V-C neither has been reported, nor made an agenda of the EC meeting. Thus the term of the Pro V-C whose appointment was not ratified by the EC in any case shall come to an end with completion of the term of the Vice Chancellor.”
As per the Jamia Act, the term of Naib Shaikh ul Jamia shall be such as may be decided by the executive council but it shall not exceed in any case, five years or until the expiration of the term of office of the Vice Chancellor whichever is earlier and he shall be eligible for reappointment.
The office of the Registrar through its order dated September 14, 2023 clearly stated that the term of Pro V-C will last till the expiry of the term of present Vice Chancellor or till she attains the age of 65 years or till further order, whichever is earlier. The order had also stated that the position of the Pro V-C will terminate along with the completion of the term of Vice Chancellor.
‘Pro V-C term coterminus with that of V-C’ Office of the Registrar in an order stated that the term of Pro V-C will last till the expiry of the term of present Vice Chancellor or till she attains the age of 65 years or till further order. The order had also stated that the position of the Pro V-C will terminate along with the completion of the term of Vice Chancellor.
