Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 11: N. N. Vohra, Governor, has called upon the Vice Chancellors of Jammu and Kashmir Universities to develop these institutions as centres of excellence through sustained enhancement of the standards of teaching and research to bring them among the 200 best institutions of higher learning across the world. In this context, the Governor asked the Vice Chancellors of both the Universities to take all required initiatives for attaining this objective. The Governor made these observations while chairing the University Council meeting of the Kashmir University held at Raj Bhavan here today.
The Governor, who is Chancellor of the Kashmir University, suggested to the Vice Chancellors of both the Kashmir and Jammu Universities to devote greater focus on research in humanities alongside the science subjects and other streams for ensuring that quality research papers are published on a continuing basis in known national and international journals. He observed that the faculty, scholars and students in the entire arena of humanities need to be encouraged to undertake more research and intensify their efforts to get high class papers published.
Emphasizing the need for faculty development, the Governor observed that this was an essential element for bringing about all round improvement in teaching and research. He also laid greater emphasis on making the universities hubs of varied academic and extra-curricular activities for securing the objective of balanced personality development of students to equip them with the requisite knowledge and build their capacities to contribute in a big way towards the development of the State and the country.
Stressing the need for continuously improving the quality of teaching at the under-graduate level, the Governor observed that this would in turn enhance the quality and standards of teaching and research at the university level. Referring to the functioning of B. Ed. Colleges and other private institutions affiliated to the Kashmir and Jammu Universities, the Governor suggested for putting in place a monitoring mechanism so that high standards of teaching are ensured in all the institutions functioning in the State.
Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Higher Education, put forth various suggestions for improving the quality of teaching and research on sustainable basis and making the universities and other institutions of higher education in the State centres of excellence.
Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, in his comprehensive power point presentation, dwelt on the status of various ongoing research projects and those in the pipeline, achievements of the University in varied fields since the last meeting of the Council, various courses introduced and other initiatives in the pipeline. He also gave details of the functioning of the off-site Campuses of the University and the courses offered.
The meeting approved the proposal regarding implementation of Choice-Based Credit System by both the Kashmir and Jammu Universities from the next academic session.
Regarding adoption of the 2nd Amendment of the UGC Regulations (on Minimum Qualification for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education 2010), as notified by the UGC on 13th June 2013, and published in the Government of India Gazette on 25-9-2013, the Council discussed the issue and resolved to constitute a Joint Committee of both the Kashmir and Jammu Universities to look into the matter in detail, also associating the Vice Chancellors of other Universities functioning in J&K, and come up with its recommendations in the next 3 months.
The Council further decided to upgrade the Post-graduate Diploma in Disaster Management offered by the University to a Post-graduate programme in Disaster Management.
The meeting discussed agenda items and took decisions thereon.
Among other members of the University Council, the meeting was attended by Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; R. P. Agrawal, former Secretary, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development; B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development; B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Finance; Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary Higher Education; and Prof. Zafar Ahmad, Registrar, University of Kashmir.
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