Vice Chancellor-Shaikhul Jamia
Mohammad Ahmed Zaki was born on January 20, 1935 in a family of warriors, whose history may be traced back to the late 17th Century. Eleven generations of military heritage with a generous garnering of accolades, awards and recognition is no mean achievement for the family which stands true to its traditions of providing the nation with the finest soldiers. His grandfather, Major Mohammad Abdul Rasool, was a Medical Officer during World War I and his father, Brig Mohammad Ali Ahmed was an officer with the Hyderabad state forces. For generations, the family had been in the service of the Qutubshahs of the Baridshahi Dynasty.Zaki was educated in the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College (now renamed Rashtriya Indian Military College) Dehra Dun from Jan 1947 to 1951. Was selected for the Joint Services Wing (now National Defence Academy) in 1952 and on commissioning from the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun joined 19 Maratha Ligh Infantry as young officer in December 1955. It was in the 1965 Indo-Pak War that the brave Company Commander then Major Zaki was wounded in the battle of Thatti Jaimal Singh and was awarded "Vir Chakra" for his gallant action during the battle. During the 1971 War, he was in command of 2 Maratha LI (Kali Panchvin) in Shakargarh area. Also held many coveted appointments such as instructor at Infantry School, Mhow, Brigade Major in Ladakh and instructor at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the premier institute of Defence Services. In March 1976, he raised 18 Maratha LI. Was promoted Brigadier and took-over the command of 86 Infantry Brigade in Punjab. In 1984-85, he became DIG Mizoram Range (Assam Rifles), where units under his command were engaged in Operation Battle Axe. He was awarded "Ati Vishisht Seva Medal" for the commendable work done while serving with Assam Rifles. Promoted to the rank of Major General in August 1985 and assumed the command of Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa area. Thereafter, he was posted as General Officer Commanding, 19 Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley from 1986-87. Further elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General and took-over as Director General Infantry in August 1988. Assumed the charge of Director General, Military Training in November 1988, where he tried and succeeded in bringing considerable improvements in the training activities of the Army. He commanded with distinction an operationally important Corps in the Northern Sector during the most critical period in the Kashmir Valley from 1989 to 1991. For his contribution of exceptionally high order in combating insurgency in the Valley, Gen Zaki was awarded "Param Vishisht Seva Medal". Took-over as Commandant of Indian Military Academy in June 1991. Because of his superb operational handling of forces deployed to counter insurgency and excellent administrative acumen, he was shifted back to the Kashmir Valley as Advisor , Security and Home to the Governor of J&K. Finally, this most distinguished soldier bid farewell to the arms in January 1993 after having had chequered Army career spanning over four decades.
He was again recalled in May 1993 as Advisor to the Governor, J&K and continued till June 1995. For his outstanding contribution in the service to the nation, Gen Zaki was awarded "Padma Shri" by the Govt. of India. Lt Gen M.A. Zaki joined as the Vice-Chancellor in 1997 from where he retired on 19 January 2000.
January 1947 to 1951
Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College (renamed Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehra Dun).
1952-1954
Joint Services Wing (now NDA)
December 1955
Commissioned from the IMA, Dehra Dun, joined the 19 Maratha Light Infantry
1958-1961
Soldiering in Nagaland
1961-62
ADC to President Dr. S Radhakrishnan
Sept. 1965
Major commanding the 19 Maratha LI; was awarded Vir Chakra in the battle of Thatti Jaimal Singh
1966-67
Posted in Ladakh
1967-68
Instructor at Infantry School, Mhow
1969
Defence Services Staff College
1970-71
Brigade Major in Ladakh
April 1971
Promoted to Lt. Col. commanding 5 MLI in Shakargarh
Jan 1974-76
General Staff Officer Grade-I (Instructor), DSSC
March 1976
Set up then 18 Maratha LI
June 1977
Military Secretary's Branch, Army HQ
June 1979-82
Promoted to Brigadier and commanded at the 86 Brigade in Punjab
Jan 1983-84
Brig in charge Administration at the Army HQ
Feb 1984
DIG, Mizoram Range, Assam Rifles
Aug 1985-April 1986
Promoted to the rank of Major General and took-over as GOC, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa region.
1986-87
Commanded the 19 Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley
August 1988
Became Lt. Gen. and took over as Director General, Infantry.
November 1988-89
DG, Military Training
Oct. 1989-June 1991
GOC, 15 Corps
June 1991-Oct 91
Commandant, IMA
Oct 1991-Jan 1993
Advisor to J&K Govt.
31 Jan 1993
Retired from Defence Services
May 1993
Recalled as the Advisor
June 1995
Final Adieu to the Armed Forces
30 June 1997
Appointed V.C., Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University)
19 Jan 2000
Retired as Vice-Chancellor, JMI.
Source : jmi.ac.in
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