Secretary designate, Union Human Resource Development Ministry, Mr K K Sharma today convened a meeting to review the functioning of higher education institutions in J&K besides taking stock of progress on infrastructure development in the sector under different schemes in the state.The meeting had detailed deliberations on present position of several key projects being executed in the state like establishment of IIT, IIM, IIMC, CSS, RUSA etc.Education Minister, Naeem Akhtar, who was also present in the meeting, informed that optimum use of existing infrastructure in colleges and Universities has been initiated besides evening classes are being started in some colleges and state universities to make best possible use of the existing infrastructure. He revealed that several start-up initiatives have been launched for skill development and career counseling started in some Government Degree Colleges of the State. He also elaborated on initiatives like revisiting curriculum for promoting creativity among students, academic training programmes, vocational courses, diversification of infrastructure and IT awareness among the students. He said efforts are being made to uplift the standard of universities in the state so that these could figure among the top universities in the world.
Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon made a power point presentation on the status of IIT, IIM, IIMC, Central University Kashmir, Central University Jammu, two state universities besides achievements in academic and research sectors. He informed that the state government has issued necessary instructions regarding starting of BSc nursing courses at GCW M A Road Srinagar and GCW Gandhi Nagar Jammu and two Architect Colleges one each at MAM College Jammu and GDC Bemina by way of utilizing existing infrastructure on self finance basis. He also highlighted the physical and financial progress achieved by the department under RUSA.The meeting was informed that against an allocation of Rs 242.15 crore under RUSA, Rs 123.59 crore have already been released by the MHRD as central share while state share amounting Rs 11.74 crore against the total allocation of Rs 26.91 crore has also been released. He requested the Union Secretary for early release of second installment of funds for completion of off-site campuses of the University of Jammu besides asking for extension of time period for completion of these campuses, he added.
Dr Samoon projected several demands and problems which inter alia included special assistance for construction of 300 bedded hostels at 20 district headquarters for students hailing from far flung areas of the State, for establishment of 2 Law Universities in the State at Jammu and Srinagar besides for up-gradation of Sports College, Ganderbal and setting up of Sports Universities at Jammu and Srinagar, waiving off family income limit of Rs 6.00 lakh per annum for the students aspiring to avail the scholarships to continue their studies under PMSSS, one time assistance amounting Rs 100.00 crore for creation of additional infrastructure for GCET, Jammu.Speaking on the occasion, the Union Secretary, laid stress on integration of skill development in education for capacity building and research. He further said that sense of accountability is essential for all to achieve comprehensive development in the higher learning institutions.Among others Divisional Commissioner Jammu, VC Jammu University, VC Central University Jammu, Chief Engineer R&B, Special Secretary HED, Director RUSA, Director Colleges were present in the meeting while Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and V C Central University Kashmir attended the meeting through Video Conferencing.