Deputy Commissioner and Chairman District Disaster Management Authority Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary Tuesday thanked the Vice Chancellors of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) and University of Kashmir (KU) for their support to the district administration in COVID-19 containment efforts in the district.The DC visited the Vice Chancellors in their respective offices at Shalimar and Zakoora and expressed gratitude for support of their respective institutions in ongoing efforts of the administration to tackle the prevailing situation due to COVID-19 epidemic.In addition to space for establishment first of quarantine centres and then of wellness centres the universities also supported the efforts of the administration through provision of technical manpower and also relevant equipment and machineries.The former has proved to be a significant help as far as observation of and care for COVID-19 suspects and affected cases is concerned while the latter has resulted in a much-needed augmentation of relevant requirements to deal with the load.Speaking on the occasion the DC commended the research scholars of SKUAST for their role in improving the COVID-19 testing capabilities in J&K. He said the DDMA Srinagar recognises the important role of these efforts adding that the said scholars will be rewarded through certification and cash awards for their efforts and achievement.
Dr Shahid said all this help has made a significant contribution to the efforts of the district administration in tackling the situation and containing spread of COVID-19 in the district adding that both the institutions deserve a lot of appreciation for it.The Vice Chancellors while speaking on the occasion expressed happiness that their institutions have been able to help in these challenging times. Both the VCs assured of continued support to the district administration for as long as the situation demands.VC SKUAST appreciated the facilitation from the district administration stating that it enabled the institution to be able to offer the required help. He called for continued facilitation of research activities from the administration to which the DC responded with assuring of providing all requisite help.It is notable that both these universities have been involved in COVID-19 containment efforts right from the beginning when these were set into motion in the district over two months ago. Their support has been a significant help in augmenting DDMA Srinagar's efforts in containing spread of the coronavirus infection in the district.