Governor asks universities to forge mutually beneficial collaborations

*Jammu University to host Indian Science Congress

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: The Forum of Vice Chancellors of various Universities of Jammu and Kashmir, which is presently chaired by Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, met N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan, here this evening to felicitate him on his extended involvement with the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Vice Chancellors thanked the Governor for his sustained guidance and support in the past 5 years and for taking keen interest in the development of all the Universities in the State for the promotion of quality education and research. They expressed sincere hope that his continuing support to the varsities would go a long way in promoting the cause of higher education and development of centres of excellence.
Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir Prof. Abdul Wahid, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir Dr. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipore Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu and Dr. I. A. Hamal, Vice Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, honoured the Governor by presenting a memento to him on this occasion. Two Vice Chancellors could not attend as they were away on prior commitments.
Interacting with the Vice Chancellors, the Governor thanked them for their good wishes and availed of the occasion to inform them of the joyous decision of the Indian Science Association that the next Indian Science Congress would be hosted by the Jammu University in February, 2014.
This would be a historical occasion for the State and the Governor urged all the Vice Chancellors to support the successful organization of this mega science event which will involve the participation of several hundred of the top most scientists from within and outside the country, including at least 5 Nobel laureates who would participate in the Indian Science Congress.
During the discussions, the Governor re-iterated the importance of the varsities entering into effective mutually beneficial collaborations in the arenas of teaching, research, libraries, extension projects, sports, cultural activities, sharing infrastructure and exchange of students and faculty with the larger objective of improving quality of higher education and securing speedy economic development of the State.
The issues which were discussed during the meeting included the need for equipping the students with the required knowledge and skills in consonance with the emerging job market requirements worldwide, selections of faculty, admission processes, examination systems, timely declaration of results, availability of resources etc.
Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, participated in the deliberations.