JKAACL, Higher Education Deptt ink MoU for joint ventures

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb, 18: In a first, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and State’s Higher Education Department have decided to work in partnership at different levels with focus on promoting the concept of cultural diversity and extracurricular activities.
Giving details, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Dr Aziz Hajini said that a meeting on the issue was held here last evening.
“It was decided in the meeting that collaborative programmes will be held at college level on monthly basis wherein artists and writers will interact with students,” Dr. Hajini said.
Elucidating further, Dr. Hajini said that other key decisions were also taken for promotion of young talent in the State with a view to disseminate state’s cultural ethos to the younger generation. “It has been decided that the Academy will provide Abhinav Theatre and other such spaces to Higher Education Department once in a week for organizing youth specific events,” he said, adding such events will help in linking youth to fading cultural moorings.
Elaborating further regarding decisions taken in the meeting, Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education Department, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon said that as a goodwill gesture, Higher Education Department will provide complimentary faculty support to the Academy in disciplines like music etc.
“Not only this, we will also provide distinguished literary experts to JKAACL from time to time so as to contribute to enrichment of its literary treasure and facilitate timely completion of prestigious encyclopedia and dictionary projects,” Dr. Samoon said.
Meanwhile, JKAACL re-operated its Kathua based sub-office after a gap of nearly 22 years.
Giving details Secretary, JKAACL, said that with support of local district administration, the Academy has been able to reopen its Kathua office after getting it vacated by the security establishment.
Elucidating further Dr. Hajini said that the Academy would regularly hold activities at the venue.
“To ensure proper use of infrastructure available with us at Kathua we intend to have weekly activities in the district beginning from today,” he said.
Among others the re-opening ceremony was attended by Secretary JKAACL, Dr. Aziz Hajini, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Ramesh Kumar, ADC, Kathua, Dr. Bharat Bhushan, and Additional Secretary, JKAACL, Dr. AS Amn.