Srinagar: In a significant decision, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chancellor of J&K Universities, has re-appointed Prof. Nilofer Khan as the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Kashmir University for a fresh term of two years. Her current tenure, which began on May 19, 2022, was scheduled to conclude on May 19, 2025, reported the Jammu Times.
The re-appointment has been made under Section 12(6) of the Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act, 1969. An official order issued by the Chancellor reads, “In exercise of the powers vested in me under section 12(6)… I, Manoj Sinha, Chancellor, University of Kashmir, hereby re-appoint Prof. Nilofer Khan as the Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, for a period of two years with effect from May 19, 2025.”
Prof. Nilofer Khan made history in 2022 as the first woman to be appointed VC of the premier institution. She succeeded earth scientist Prof. Talat Ahmad, whose tenure ended in August 2021.
A veteran academic with over 30 years of teaching experience, Prof. Khan has held multiple key positions at the University, including Dean of the College Development Council, Registrar, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, and Director of the Institute of Home Sciences. She was also the first woman to serve as Dean of Students Welfare and was the Founder Director of the Centre for Women’s Studies and Research.
The re-appointment comes at a critical juncture as the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) team is set to visit the University for inspection. Kashmir University currently holds an ‘A’ grade from NAAC, awarded during its last review in May 2019, which remained valid until May 2024.
Earlier, in December last year, the Chancellor also extended the terms of two other key university heads: Prof. Umesh Rai was re-appointed as Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu effective from April 5, 2025, and Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie’s tenure as VC of SKUAST-Kashmir was extended by two years, effective from December 16, 2024.
