The award, which was instituted by the Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar Academy in 1989, is given every year to individuals for extraordinary contribution in fields like politics, journalism, social work, etc.
The award was conferred upon Ahmed at a ceremony yesterday which was presided by Naseem Ahmad, Chairman of the Minority Commission, the varsity said in a release here.
Ahmad, a renowned Earth scientist who has earlier served as VC of Kashmir University, took over as the 14th Vice Chancellor of Jamia earlier this year. The 59-year-old academician has over 65 research publications to his credit.
Prior to his stint at Kashmir University, Ahmed taught Geology at Delhi University. He has been involved in studies related to aerosol and glaciers in the Himalayas. He has also initiated efforts to set-up School of Earth Atmosphere and Planetary Sciences at Jamia Millia Islamia.
Among others who bagged the award this year include Syed Anwarul Huda, DGP and the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the AP State Police Housing Corporation, Khawaja Mohd Haleem, a former UP Minister, actor and director Tom Alter, Hakeem Aslam Jawed, a Unani physician, and a journalist, Shakeel Akhtar.