JNU to honor Amitabh Mattoo with Professor Emeritus title after retirement

Jawaharlal Nehru University will confer the title of Professor Emeritus on Amitabh Mattoo, the Dean of the School of International Studies, after he takes voluntary retirement on February 28, 2027.

Details of Decision

His name was recommended by Rajesh Rajagopalan, a professor from the School of International Studies. The decision was finalized after discussions at an Executive Council meeting. Before becoming the dean in 2024, Mr. Mattoo served as the chair of the Centre for International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament at the school. He is also a former vice-chancellor of the University of Jammu and remains the only Padma Shri awardee currently on the rolls at the university.

Reactions

Responding to the honor, Mr. Mattoo stated that the university has been his intellectual home rather than just a workplace. He noted that while a person can retire from university service, they never leave its embrace. He expressed gratitude to the institution, adding that offices pass and titles fade while student affection and colleague regard remain.

Context

Jawaharlal Nehru University currently has 16 professors holding the title of Professor Emeritus, including Romilla Thapar, Asis Datta, Prabhat Patnaik, H.S. Gill, and Zoya Hassan. Guidelines for this honor require nominees to have served as a professor at the institution for at least 15 years while making distinctive contributions to its development.