New Delhi, March 4 (IANS): Jamia Millia Islamia has been assessed and accredited by NAAC for the first cycle with an "A" Grade, the Delhi-based central university said in a statement on Wednesday.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) assessment was carried out in the third week of February.

The assessment and accreditation has reinforced Jamia's outstanding credentials as an institution of excellence, the statement added.

Talat Ahmad, vice chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia expressed happiness and satisfaction at the outcome of the long-drawn NAAC-related preparedness.

"It was a collective achievement of all the stake-holders in the university," the VC said.

However, he chose to underline that new initiatives need to be unfolded to reinforce the activities in relation to NAAC's evaluative parameters to make the institution amenable to the second cycle Peer review in another five years.

There is widespread jubilation on the campus following award of "A" Grade to Jamia Millia Islamia, the statement noted.

NAAC is an autonomous body established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to assess and accredit institutions of higher education in the country.