The Jammu and Kashmir Government has sought six more cluster universities, three each for Kashmir and Jammu regions, even as a couple of these are expected to be sanctioned this year.Addressing students and faculty here at the inaugural function of maiden sports tournament hosted by Cluster University Jammu here at GGM Science College, Minister for Education and pro chancellor of the varsity, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that state government has submitted the proposal to the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development (MHRD) for six more Cluster universities and sanction for couple of them are expected this year.Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services and Sports, Imran Raza Ansari was also present at the inaugural function of the event which would continue till March 12, 2018 and witness Football Volleyball, Cricket, Kabbadi, Kho Kho and other game contests among the teams of five constituent colleges of the CLUJ.Vice-Chancellor, Anju Bhasin, Register, Dean Student welfare CLUJ besides faculty and Principals of the constituent colleges were also present.Hailing the vice- chancellor and her team, Altaf Bukhari said J&K has taken lead in the establishment of twin Cluster Universities and in one year of their establishments these are showing steady growth in every field.
“Our aim is to make the twin varsities centres of excellence in all aspects and the mega sports festival preceded by a cultural festival bears testimony that CLUJ is on the path of becoming a model University” Bukhari said and added that chancellor of the varsity and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is keen to have more such institutions in the state.“It is a proud moment for me to see this institution progressing in leaps and bounds in one year of its existence” Altaf Bukhari said while announcing that the state government’s aim is to take higher education to the door steps of the children. “Children are very special to us because investing for their education and growth means investing for future” the Minister asserted.In his address, Imran Raza Ansari announced that Youth Services and Sports ministry would move a proposal for development of the main ground and anastro turf hockey ground on the adjacent land at GGM Science College.Imran Ansari also highlighted the importance of sports for overall development of the students and said that the last three years have witnessed massive sports infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir. He hailed the state government and centre for providing liberal funding for the purpose. “We know children face many challenges as they grow up. Sports help them to develop positive attitude and forget their worries” Ansar said and reiterated that state government is committed to promote sports culture in the state as the youth who form more than fifty percent of state’s population need it badly to save themselves from treading on the wrong path.Earlier, Vice-chancellor Prof Anju Bhasin in her welcome address gave full credit to pro chancellor AltafBukhariand his team for their support in accomplishing the challenge to establish the new varsity.