Governor N.N. Vohra, Chancellor of the Kashmir University, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Pro Chancellor of the University, in a meeting held here at the Raj Bhavan yesterdaysuggested sharper focus on sports and extra-curricular activities and corresponding strengthening of the required sports infrastructure in the Universities and their affiliated colleges. They noted that it was not enough to merely show higher pass percentages but also ensure the balanced personality development of all the students. The Governor also emphasized sustained attention to research, which is essential to maintaining a high standard of scholarship in the University. Mr. Naeem Akhter, Education Minister participated in the meeting.
The Governor advised Prof. Khurshid Andrabi, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, to institute an annual event for recognizing and awarding the best teachers and all the outstanding scholars who bring laurels to the University particularly those who bag prestigious national and international fellowships, those who produce outstanding researches and others who excel in extra-curricular activities.The Council advised that the University should have dynamic interactions with the industrial houses and relevant institutions in the public and private sectors before deciding the nature of changes which may be made in the existing curricula so that the syllabi corresponds to the evolving job market requirements.The Vice-Chancellor informed the Council about the reforms initiated by the University. These included academic reforms: faculty recruitments which are essentially based on academic credentials; bringing contractual faculty credentials at par with those of the regular faculty; mandating student approval of answer book evalution; upgradation of laboratory and departmental infrastructure under RUSA; online student feedback of the teaching quality; institutionlising peer review of the teaching faculty; performance audit and year end evaluation of the new faculty members before they are confirmed on the completion of their probation periods.
Prof. Andrabi also informed about the examination reforms introduced by the University, including one student one online form for the entire period of the Under-Graduate and Post Graduate Programme, single enrolment number for the complete academic period; no registration returns, online Award and re-evaluation, availability of Transcripts and Degree Certificate on completion of the degree; modifications introduced in Degree certificate etc. Besides, he also informed about the reforms in administrative and financial functioning including consensus based file proceedings; e-Governed File Tracking System; initiatives for improving campus vibrancy including use of battery driven vehicles; bicycling culture in place of cars etc.While reviewing the action taken on the decisions taken in the earlier meetings of the Council, Prof. Andrabi informed the Governor that the University has come up with a comprehensive plan for development and upgradation of the sports infrastructure in the Main as well as the Satellite Campuses.
Highlighting various research programmes being pursued by the University, the Vice- Chancellor informed that the Department of Earth Eciences has an ongoing DST sponsored research project on studying the impacts of climate change on glaciers and water resources and it is monitoring the air pollution and meterological conditions in Kashmir Valley. He informed the Council that recently the University has been selected for a project with focus on “Bio-diversity of Kashmir Himalaya: Documentary, Bioprospection and Conservation”.While considering various Academic Matters, the Council approved: introduction of Post-Graduate Course in Microbiology at Centre of Research for Development (CORD), Post-Graduate Diploma Programme in Quaranic Studies at the Department of Arabic, amendment to Statute-7 of the statutes governing BDS Course in pursuance of the DCI guidelines; and amendment to the Student Aid Corpus Fund (Regulation and Distribution) Statutes.
The Council also approved introduction of M.Tech. programme in Computer Sciences at the Zakoora Campus; regulations and guidelines for differently abled students; enhancement in intake for P.G Course in Chemistry at S.P college, Srinagar from 15 to 25 seats and P.G Course in Commerce at Bemina Degree College Srinagar from 20 to 35 seats; adoption of Gender Senstitization Regulations (2016) in the University of Kashmir against sexual harassment at work places.
Among those who attended the Council meeting were the two Chancellor’s nominees on the Council: Mr. R.P Agarwal, former Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India and Prof. Chetan Singh, Director Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla; Prof. R.D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University; Mr. B.B. Vyas, Financial Commissioner Planning and Development; Mr. P.K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Mr. Navin K. Choudhary, Commissioner Finance; Mr. Hemant Kumar Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Higher Education Department; Prof. Mohi-Ud- Din Bhat, Dean Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology; Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Bhat, Dean Faculty of Commerce & Mgt. Studies; Prof. Parveen Pandit, Principal Govt. College of Education; Srinagar; Dr. Mohammad Hussain, President KUTA and Prof. Musadiq A. Sahaf, Registrar, Kashmir University.