Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, today chaired a meeting of Working Group constituted to chalk out modalities for the operationalization of Knowledge Initiative in Jammu and Kashmir for Education sector. The meeting was co-chaired by Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari.Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary to Higher Education Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Vice-Chancellors and senior Professors of all Universities of Jammu provinceand Director Indian Institute of technology Jammu were present in meeting.The educationists held a detailed discussion and made recommendations for the uplift of the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir.Vowing to make the knowledge initiative a huge success, Prof. Mattoo said that the Working Group is taking all necessary steps to look for the best possible practical activities to revamp education system across J&K. He also added that aim of this process is to develop best Human Resource in the State and to generate excellence in Research and Innovation in Higher Education and create world-class institutions and spaces for excellence. He also added that there is a proposal of setting up of 6 cluster universities in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Altaf Bukhari said that his Ministry was highly grateful for the guidance offered by the state’s top academicians in its endeavors to take the quality of education to new heights.He appreciated the suggestions and recommendations projected by the working group and said these reflect their deep understanding of problems in education sector and ability to suggest effective remedies. He said the department was indebted to them and it would try to implement most of their suggestions on the ground.He also informed that the government is seriously working to establish a horticulture university in North Kashmir- the area with maximum potential for this vital sector.During the meeting, suggestions were axised around the strengthening of skill development and job-oriented courses based on the modern curriculum. The academicians suggested that there is a need to look for the subjects which have great market potential. During meeting the suggestions were also given to maintain and adopt quality education in the state. Stress was also laid on the strengthening of primary level education for raising the overall quality.