Suhail Bhat
Srinagar Dec 13: The Nursing School at Kashmir University’s South campus has been in operation for five years without getting Indian Nursing Council certification since the University moved the requisite Government-created positions to other departments.
An official told Excelsior that the government created at least four positions when the college was established in order to connect the college with the National Council of India and that in order for a college to be recognized by the UGC, it must have at least four permanent faculty positions.
He informed that the four positions formed for the college were principal, tutor, assistant professor, and associate professor. “However, the university hijacked them and transferred them to other departments and colleges. One of the positions was transferred to the Institute of Technology University of Kashmir Zakura campus, and another was granted to the Kashmir University’s Department of Home Science,” he said.
According to officials, the school’s new building was built at a cost of around Rs 10 crores due to the school’s potential to become the top nursing school in the Valley due to its large catchment area. “What should have been one of the top nursing schools in the area has been harmed by the carelessness of the University. The national school of nursing has not yet certified it, despite the fact that it has been around for the previous four to five years,” he said, adding that all of the college’s B.Sc. nursing degrees are essentially worthless.
An official at the Kashmir University said that the posts were diverted out of the fear that they might be withdrawn as the recruitment was supposed to be carried out in quick time. “We had only 20-days and it was impossible for us to carry out the requirement for a new facility in such a short time and there was every possibility that the posts would be withdrawn,” he said. He added that the other reason for not filling the posts was that the recruitment was put on hold for the last three years, which delayed the process and “ultimately affected the school’s recognition.”
The university’s failure to recognize the school has an adverse effect on students because they must spend twice as much on fees as students in other nursing programs in the Valley. “While other nursing schools charge about Rs 38,000 annually, South campus asks students to pay about Rs 78,000 annually,” a student said, adding that although they have opposed the increased charge numerous times, no one has listened to them.
The Director of Kashmir University’s South Campus, Mukhtar Khanday, told Excelsior that the hiring process had already begun.
“We have advertised roughly 10 posts for the college, and screening has also been done. The interviews for the positions will be held soon,’ he said.
He continued that they had brought up the issue with the Nursing Council of India, whose representatives recently paid the institution a visit. “We have received a green signal from them as well,” he said.
When asked about charging a higher tuition fee than other colleges, he responded that without a permanent faculty, the college was forced to cover all costs on its own. However, he added that the university was serious about the matter and that all decisions would be made in the best interests of the students.
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