https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Sonajharia_MinzSonajharia Minz - Revision history2026-11-02T20:21:13ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sonajharia_Minz&diff=536608&oldid=prevBhushana: made a entry2026-02-08T12:13:20Z<p>made a entry</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian academic and researcher (born 1962)}}<br />
{{Infobox academic<br />
| name = Sonajharia Minz<br />
| birth_date = December 1962<br />
| birth_place = [[Ranchi district|Ranchi]], [[Jharkhand]]<br />
| image = <br />
| father = [[Nirmal Minz]]<br />
| mother = Paracleta Minz<br />
| occupation = {{hlist|Mathematician|computer scientist|researcher|activist}}<br />
| nationality =<br />
| education = {{hlist|[[Jawaharlal Nehru University]] ({{small|M.Phil. & Ph.D. in Computer Science}})<br>[[Women's Christian College, Chennai|Women's Christian College]] ({{small|B.Sc in Mathematics}})<br> [[Madras Christian College]] ({{small|M.Sc in Mathematics}})}}<br />
}}<br />
'''Sonajharia Minz''' (born 1962) is an Indian academic, mathematician, computer scientist, researcher and tribal rights activist. She served as the Vice-Chancellor of [[Sido Kanhu Murmu University]] from May 2020 to June 2023.<ref>{{cite book | last=Natu | first=S.A. | title=Psychology and Gender: An Advanced Reader | publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] | year=2023 | isbn=978-1-000-99094-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XMvVEAAAQBAJ |page=101|quote=..in May 2020, Sonajharia Minz, professor at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Univer-sity (JNU), was appointed vice chancellor of Sido Kanhu Murmu University in Dumka, Jharkhand.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Pillai | first=Geetha Sunil | title=Rejected by English Medium School at 5, Dr. Sonajharia Minz Becomes India's First Tribal UNESCO Co-Chair | website=The Mooknayak | date=17 June 2025 | url=https://en.themooknayak.com/tribal-news/rejected-by-english-medium-school-at-5-dr-sonajharia-minz-becomes-indias-first-tribal-unesco-co-chair | access-date=5 July 2025|quote=After successfully completing her tenure as VC in June 2023, she returned to her home institution, JNU’s School of Computer and Systems Sciences.}}</ref> She is currently a professor at the School of Computer and Systems Sciences, [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]] and serves as the UNESCO Co-Chair in Transforming Indigenous Knowledge Research Governance (IKRG) and Rematriation to advance Indigenous rights, knowledge systems, and self-determination.<ref>{{cite web | website=Jawaharlal Nehru University | title=Sonajharia Minz | date=5 July 2025 | url=https://www.jnu.ac.in/content/sonaminz | ref={{sfnref|Sonajharia Minz|2025}} | access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Vincent | first=Pheroze L. | title=Digital cache on tribal languages in the works, says UNESCO co-chair Sonajharia Minz | website=[[Telegraph India]] | date=22 June 2025 | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/digital-cache-on-tribal-languages-in-the-works-says-unesco-co-chair-sonajharia-minz-prnt/cid/2109102 | access-date=5 July 2025|quote=Sonajharia Minz — a JNU professor who was recently appointed Unesco co-chair in Transforming Indigenous Knowledge Research Governance and Rematriation..}}</ref><br />
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==Early life==<br />
Born in December 1962, Sonajharia hails from [[Oraon people|Oraon]] tribe, and from [[Gumla district]] in [[Jharkhand]]. She is the oldest of the four daughters of Paracleta Minz and Late Dr. [[Nirmal Minz]], a social ideologue and activist. Having been nurtured to fight the odds to prove as equal with the best and to go beyond, she completed her schooling in [[Ranchi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=My teacher once asked how could I be good in Sanskrit: Tribal woman scholar who's now a V-C|url=https://theprint.in/india/education/my-teacher-once-asked-how-could-i-be-good-in-sanskrit-tribal-woman-scholar-whos-now-a-v-c/431786/|last=Sharma|first=Kritika|date=2020-05-29|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> Her interest in athletics and games were founded in school which played a role in shaping her determination on the face of odds. She completed her Pre University Course (PUC) from Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore and graduated in mathematics from [[Women's Christian College, Chennai]]. She continued to do MSc in mathematics from [[Madras Christian College]], Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonajharia Minz Becomes The Second Tribeswoman To Be Elected As A VC|url=https://www.femina.in/trending/achievers/sonajharia-minz-becomes-the-second-tribeswoman-to-be-elected-as-a-vc-159729.html|website=femina.in|language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref><br />
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==Academic career==<br />
After completing M.Phil. [[computer science]] from [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]] (JNU), New Delhi, Minz worked as the assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, [[Barkatullah University]] of [[Bhopal]] since May 1990. She joined the Department of Computer Science, [[Madurai Kamaraj University]] in March 1991. In January 1992, Minz became assistant professor in the School of Computer and Systems Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University. She earned her PhD in computer science from [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]] (JNU), New Delhi in 1997.<ref>{{cite web | last=Barik | first=Satyasundar | title=My selection should not be viewed from a ghettoisation perspective: Sonajharia Minz | website=[[The Hindu]] | date=11 July 2020 | url-access=subscription|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/my-selection-should-not-be-viewed-from-a-ghettoisation-perspective-sonajharia-minz/article32041971.ece | access-date=5 July 2025|quote=Minz got a mathematics degree from Women’s Christian College, Chennai, then an MSc from Madras Christian College, and went on to complete her M.Phil and Ph.D. in computer science from JNU. She was a professor at JNU’s School of Computer and Systems Science for 28 years before taking charge as SKMU’s VC.}}</ref><br />
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Minz was appointed in the post of associate professor in 1997 and was promoted to be professor at the School of Computer and Systems Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2005. Her areas of research include artificial intelligence, machine learning, soft computing (rough set theory, granular computing), data mining and geospatial analytics. She has supervised several doctoral research and master's research and has published research papers in international and national journals, and has presented research papers in conferences, international and national, of high repute.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tribal woman's appointment as vice chancellor hailed|url=http://mattersindia.com/2020/05/tribal-womans-appointment-as-vice-chancellor-hailed/|last=|first=|date=28 May 2020|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref> <br />
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Raised with the sensitivity about the plight of the tribal communities in Central India, having faced discriminatory treatment at a very young age at school, she engaged in matters of the constitutional provisions and rights of the marginalized and underprivileged students, [[dalit]], [[adivasi]], people with disabilities, women and minorities, informally as well as in her formal capacity of advisor and later, chief advisor, Equal Opportunity Office (EOO), Jawaharlal Nehru University. She was a member of Gender Sensitization and Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dalit and tribal rights activist call for withdrawal of CAA in Budget session|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/india/dalit-and-tribal-rights-activist-call-for-withdrawal-of-caa-in-budget-session|website=National Herald|date=16 January 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> Minz assumed many administrative roles in JNU such as warden, proctor, provost, member of Executive Council and Academic Council of JNU. Minz was dean of School of Computer and Systems Sciences during 2009 - 2011.<ref>{{cite news | last=Sarkar | first=Urvashi | title=JNU Academic Council meeting adjourned | website=[[The Hindu]] | date=20 March 2010 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/JNU-Academic-Council-meeting-adjourned/article16578323.ece | access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref> In 2018, she was elected president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA), securing 344 out of 597 votes.<ref>{{cite news | title=JNUTA gets new president | website=[[The Hindu]] | date=1 February 2018 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/jnuta-gets-new-president/article22626370.ece | access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Left panel sweeps JNU teachers’ polls | website=[[The Times of India]] | date=2 February 2018 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/left-panel-sweeps-jnu-teachers-polls/articleshow/62747624.cms | access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref><br />
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On 27 May 2020, the [[Governor of Jharkhand]], [[Draupadi Murmu]] appointed her as the vice-chancellor to the [[Sido Kanhu Murmu University]] in [[Dumka]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Assumed to be Maid, Rebuked for Topping Class: New V-C of SKMU Recalls Racial, Caste Discrimination|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/assumed-to-be-maid-rebuked-for-topping-in-maths-new-v-c-of-skmu-recalls-racial-caste-based-discrimination-2645921.html|date=2020-05-31|website=News18|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jharkhand: Professor Sonajharia Minz appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Sido Kanhu Murmu University|url=https://newsd.in/jharkhand-professor-sonajharia-minz-appointed-as-vice-chancellor-of-sido-kanhu-murmu-university/|date=2020-05-28|website=Newsd.in: Latest News Today, Breaking News from India & World|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> With her commitment to mainstream tribal languages, art and culture, new programmes such as Santal Culture Studies, certificate courses on tribal design, art and craft were offered in Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka, Jharkhand. In 2022 at the Barcelona UNESCO Higher Education Conference, she participated in a session on Role of Tribal/Indigenous Knowledge in Higher Education. <br />
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After successful completion of her term as vice chancellor, Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka, Jharkhand, in June 2023, Sonajharia Minz returned to her parent institution, School of Computer and Systems Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}<br />
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== Recognition and awards ==<br />
In June 2025, Minz was appointed Co-Chairholder of UNESCO Chair in Transforming Indigenous Knowledge Research Governance and Rematriation for a four-year term to advance Indigenous rights, knowledge systems, and self-determination. The position is jointly held with Dr. Amy Parent from [[Simon Fraser University]], Canada.<ref>{{cite web | title=Will work to better indigenous rights and knowledge system: Minz | website=[[The Times of India]] | date=15 June 2025 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/will-work-to-better-indigenous-rights-and-knowledge-system-minz/articleshow/121866050.cms | access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pandikattu |first=Kuruvilla |title=Dr. Sonajharia Minz appointed UNESCO Co-Chair |website=Light of Truth |date=July 2025 |url=https://lightoftruth.in/valaranvalarthan/finadsmslr/ |access-date=11 September 2025}}</ref><br />
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== Selected publications ==<br />
* {{cite journal | last=Ali Mohammed Al-Yarimi | first=Fuad | last2=Minz | first2=Sonajharia | title=Data Privacy in Data Engineering, the Privacy Preserving Models and Techniques in Data Mining and Data Publishing: Contemporary Affirmation of the Recent Literature | journal=International Journal of Computer Applications | publisher=Foundation of Computer Science | volume=60 | issue=3 | date=18 December 2012 | issn=0975-8887 | doi=10.5120/9676-4103 | doi-access=free | pages=40–47}}<br />
* {{cite book | last=Abughali | first=Ibrahim K. A. | last2=Minz | first2=Sonajharia | title=Pattern Recognition and Machine Intelligence | chapter=Binarizing Change for Fast Trend Similarity Based Clustering of Time Series Data | publisher=Springer International Publishing | publication-place=Cham | volume=9124 | date=2015 | isbn=978-3-319-19940-5 | doi=10.1007/978-3-319-19941-2_25 | doi-access=free}}<br />
* {{cite journal | last=Kumar | first=Vinesh | last2=Minz | first2=Sonajharia | title=CCRA: channel criticality based resource allocation in cognitive radio networks | journal=International Journal of Communication Systems | volume=30 | issue=4 | date=10 March 2017 | issn=1074-5351 | doi=10.1002/dac.3012 | url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dac.3012| url-access=subscription }}<br />
* {{cite book | title=Information, Communication and Computing Technology: Third International Conference, ICICCT 2018, New Delhi, India, May 12, 2018, Revised Selected Papers | publisher=Springer Singapore | publication-place=Singapore | volume=835 | date=2019 | isbn=978-981-13-5991-0 | doi=10.1007/978-981-13-5992-7 | url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-981-13-5992-7}}<br />
* {{cite journal | last=Raj | first=Aditya | last2=Minz | first2=Sonajharia | last3=Choudhury | first3=Tanupriya | title=Spatial clustering-based parametric change footprint pattern analysis in Landsat images | journal=International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology | volume=21 | issue=6 | date=2024 | issn=1735-1472 | doi=10.1007/s13762-023-05369-8 | pages=5777–5794 | url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13762-023-05369-8| url-access=subscription }}<br />
* {{cite book | last=Minz | first=Nirmal | last2=Minz | first2=Sonajharia | title=Pearls of Indigenous Wisdom: Selected Essays from Lifetime Contributions by Bishop Dr. Nirmal Minz, an Adivasi Intellectual | publisher=Indian Social Institute & Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore | date=2007 | isbn=978-81-89762-17-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Pearls_of_Indigenous_Wisdom.html?id=8QlUPgAACAAJ}}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
* {{cite news | last=Minz | first=Sonajharia | title=What freedom means to me as a tribal woman in academia | website=[[The Indian Express]] | date=17 August 2023 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/what-freedom-means-to-me-as-a-tribal-woman-in-academia-8895813/}}<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist|2}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Minz, Sonajharia}}<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:1962 births]]<br />
[[Category:People from Gumla district]]<br />
[[Category:Adivasi women]]<br />
[[Category:Adivasi activists]]<br />
[[Category:Activists from Jharkhand]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women activists]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian educators]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian women educators]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women scholars]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women academics]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women mathematicians]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women computer scientists]]<br />
[[Category:Indian academic administrators]]<br />
[[Category:Women's Christian College, Chennai alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Madras Christian College alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Jawaharlal Nehru University alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Academic staff of Jawaharlal Nehru University]]<br />
[[Category:Heads of universities and colleges in India]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian women mathematicians]]<br />
[[Category:Jyoti Nivas College]]</div>Bhushana