Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 27: Representatives of South Asia Foundation (SAF), UNESCO, today visited the Institute of Kashmir Studies in Kashmir University and interacted with the students.
Interacting with the students and faculty, Chairperson SAF- India, Mani Shankar Aiyar said that the objective of SAF is to uphold its core values of regional cooperation and peace through education and cultural interaction between the eight SAARC countries.
He said “Besides making efforts for the preservation of Cultural Heritage of Kashmir and disseminating the information regarding the same, the institute has to come up as a binding force amongst various SAARC countries and redefine its role of Kashmir studies vis-a-vis South Asia.”
He was also accompanied by Mme France Marquet, a SAF Trustee and Prof Veena Sikri Vice -Chairperson SAF-India who also interacted with the students on the occasion.
While presenting a profile of the institute Director IKS Prof Sidiq Wahid said that presently there are 22 students enrolled at IKS which also includes one student from Afghanistan, one from Nepal and one from Bangladesh.
Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof Talat Ahmed informed that the Institute of Kashmir Studies is going to start admissions for M Phil and Ph D from this academic year. He further said that in order to give fillip to the institute in academics and research areas, IKS will soon get sufficient faculty strength.
Later Mani Shankar Aiyar also attended a crucial meeting of the executive body of Institute of Kashmir Studies which was chaired by Vice chancellor JU Prof Talat Ahmad. Important issues regarding the IKS including fellowships, syllabus, research were discussed.
Prof Varun Sahni, former VC JU, Dean Academic Affairs Prof A M Shah, Dean Research Prof Khursheed Andrabi, Registrar of the University Prof Zaffar A Reishi, Chief Proctor KU Prof M Afzal Zargar, Prof Mushtaq A Kaw, CCAS, Dr Gul Mohammad Wani from Dept of Political Science, Prof J R Jan, CCAS and several other faculty members of the varsity and officials were also present at the twin events.
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