Dr. Sonajharia Minz, a professor of Computer Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University, India, served as Vice Chancellor of Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU) from June 2020 to June 2023. An Oraon Adivasi, she has faced and fought against discrimination, advocating for equal opportunities for marginalized communities and women. While her academic background is in Mathematics and Computer Science, she has also worked to preserve Indigenous culture and knowledge. As Vice Chancellor, she initiated a Master’s program in Santal Culture Studies and enhanced the research environment for Adivasi scholars. Additionally, she is concerned with intellectual property rights and ethical research guidelines related to tribal communities, and aims to develop GIS layers of Indigenous knowledge and practices.
