The Government today rechristened Jammu Cluster University as Tawi Cluster University as the renaming was announced by the Minister for Education and Pro Chancellor of the Varsity, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari here at the inaugural function of varsity’s maiden 4-day cultural festival cum contest.The mega event- YuvTarang and the renaming coincides with the completion of one-year functioning of the varsity established under provisio of Srinagar and Jammu Cluster University Act 2016 under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, RUSA (RashtriyaUchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) with five city colleges as its constituents.The event will witness inter college contests under three broad categories of performing arts, Fine Arts and Literary abilities,Minister for Education and Pro Chancellor of the Varsity Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari was chief guest and Minister of state for Education Priya Sethi was guest of honour at the inaugural event, also attended by a galaxy of academia, senior faculty members and a large number of students of constituent colleges.
Around four hundred entries have been received from the students to participate in the contests which would include Dance, Music, theatre in performing-art category, painting and other contests in fine arts category, besides easy, poetry and prose writing competitions under literary category. At the outset, Vice-chancellor Prof Anju Bhasin presented the report card on the one-year functioning of the university, while giving full credit to her team, Ministers Altaf Bukhari and Priya Sethi for their support in accomplishing the challenge to establish the new varsity. In his inaugural address, Altaf Bukhari recounted the efforts of former Chief Minister, late Mufti Mohammad Syed towards realizing the establishment of the twin Cluster Universities in Jammu and Srinagar with the primary aim of making the state a hub of quality higher education. He also gave full credit to his predecessor and former Education Minister Naeem Akhtar, vice- chancellor and her team towards the establishment of the University. “It is a proud moment for me to see this institution progressing in leaps and bounds in one year of its existence which also coincides with the period since I took over as Education Minister” Altaf Bukhari said and announced that the varsity form this day will be known as Tawi Cluster University.
Appreciating the varsity for holding the mega cultural fest, he noted that the event reflects the essence of cluster approach which forms the core of establishing such universities. He said Jammu and Kashmir has taken lead over many states of the country in the adoption of the concept underlining the scheme.In her address, Minister for Education, Culture Priya Sethi congratulated the university for giving due place to culture in the scheme of things. “I have strong craving and attachment towards culture and its promotion because it represents the fragrance of the society and the nation we live in” she said.Hailing academic and other achievements of the varsity, she urged the management to introduced innovative courses to produce young, progressive entrepreneurs, researchers in linguistics and other fields. She also welcomed the decision of the varsity to introduce Integrated Courses in linguistics and history from the next session. She also suggested for introducing short term courses having potential to increase employability.Earlier, the beginning of the cultural fest was marked by scintillating dance and music performances by the students of participating colleges.