Excelsior Correspondent
AWANTIPORA, June 10: Suggesting Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) to start evening classes on experimental basis, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today said the move will pave the way for such students to enroll for higher education who don’t get admission in educational institutions of the state due to paucity of seats.
He said the initiative will make the University utilize the available resources in the best interest of the students and also prevent them from getting duped by the fake universities outside the State.
The Minister was speaking at a seminar on “Igniting Mathematical Potential and Creative Thought (IMPACT)” organized by IUST Awantipora in the campus today.
He said the universities in J&K can emulate the model of the neighboring Punjab University which has a full-fledged Multidisciplinary Evening Studies Department offering a variety of courses including technical learning. He said especially introduction of vocational courses during evening classes would ensure at least respectable livelihood for the youth benefitting a large proportion of students.
He said the Kashmir University and the Central University Kashmir have already begun the process for starting evening classes and IUST can also join the initiative to become a part of the global trend in education.
The Minister asked teachers to rejuvenate entrepreneurial skills among the students so that they will set up income generating units of their own rather than hankering after Government jobs. He said Government is providing financial assistance as well as expertise advice for the purpose.
Terming present era the age of competition, the Minister said that merit and talent is deciding the future of the students and asked them to prepare themselves for proving their mettle in competitions.
The Minister inspected several departments, ongoing development works, workshops, laboratories, library and administrative blocks.
While visiting Food Technology laboratory, the Minister was presented variety of items produced by students in the lab.
Education Minister asked the authorities of the varsity to keep track of the outgoing students and ascertain from them the market demand so that capacity of the courses having good market potential could be increased accordingly.
Speaking on the occasion, VC IUST shed light on the activities of the University and said that from the current academic session, the university would be introducing Chemistry and Physics subjects.
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