First transgender woman to earn PhD in Tamil Nadu appointed assistant professor

In a groundbreaking achievement for transgender representation in higher education, N Jency has become the first transgender woman in Tamil Nadu to complete a PhD and secure an appointment as Assistant Professor in the English Department at Loyola College, Chennai.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AGAINST ALL ODDS

Jency’s journey from a village in Tiruvallur district, Tiruttani, to the halls of one of Chennai's most prestigious institutions represents years of perseverance through significant challenges. Her academic record includes gold medals in both her undergraduate and master’s degree courses, demonstrating consistent excellence throughout her educational career.

Her appointment has drawn recognition from the highest levels of state government, with Chief Minister MK Stalin publicly congratulating Jency on her achievement.

“Congratulations Dr Jency. Let several hundreds more reach success through education, as you serve as a guiding light. Let the mighty force called education win over hurdles and rejections,” Chief Minister Stalin stated in his official response to the appointment.

During a meeting with the Chief Minister, Jency expressed her gratitude for the government’s support of social justice initiatives while sharing her broader vision for transgender inclusion in education.

A VOICE FOR COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION

Jency emphasised that her success extends beyond personal achievement. “This is not my own victory but one that belongs to my trans community,” she said. “I did suffer a lot to reach this position. Education is the modification of human behaviour, and that is what brought me to this position.”

Her message to society was direct and compelling: “I urge society not to treat a transgender person differently or chase them away from home, but to educate them. Take me as an example — I was a gold medallist in UG and MA. I reached this position while my family was not initially able to accept me. When you accept nature, why can’t you accept us who are also part of nature?”

A CALL FOR PERMANENT POSITIONS

Jency has also requested Chief Minister Stalin to consider her for a permanent staff position at a Tamil Nadu government college, viewing such an appointment as a powerful example for other members of the transgender community.

“I don’t have a father, but I ask the CM, thinking of him as my father, to allot a permanent staff role in a Tamil Nadu government college, as it would become an example for those in my community to concentrate on education,” she said.

This appointment at Loyola College marks a significant step forward for transgender inclusion in Tamil Nadu’s academic institutions.

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