Aligarh: Rear Admiral S.M. Urooj Athar, an alumnus of the Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology (ZHCET), Aligarh Muslim University, has assumed charge as the Principal of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala, the premier institution responsible for training officers of the Indian Navy.
Rear Admiral Athar graduated in Electronics Engineering from ZHCET in 1991 and was commissioned into the Indian Navy in February 1992. He was the Class XII topper at AMU in 1987. During his distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he has held several important operational, academic and administrative appointments in the Indian Navy.
A specialist in Meteorology, Oceanography and Satellite Meteorology, Rear Admiral Athar has received advanced professional training at the India Meteorological Department, Pune, and the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad. He is also an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad.
Before assuming his present appointment, Rear Admiral Athar headed the Directorate of Naval Education at Naval Headquarters. He has made significant contributions to the development of educational policies, professional training and academic programmes within the Indian Navy. He has also served as Commodore (Naval Education) and Vice Chairperson of the Navy Education Society, overseeing educational institutions administered by the Indian Navy.
As Principal of the Indian Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Athar will oversee the academic, professional, physical and leadership training of officer cadets being prepared to serve in various branches of the Indian Navy.
The Aligarh Muslim University fraternity has expressed immense pride in the accomplishment of its distinguished alumnus and congratulates Rear Admiral Athar on assuming this prestigious responsibility. His professional journey reflects the University’s enduring tradition of producing technically accomplished professionals and leaders dedicated to the service.
