Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat
As many as 200 students of Kashmir University’s (KU’s) Engineering College from Computer Science stream are undergoing a mental agony from the last almost over a year . The problem with these students is that their batch-mates from other streams like Mechanical , Electrical and Electronic engineering are attending their regular classes in Srinagar campus located at Zakura but inspite of assurances from the Government, computer science branch is yet to be shifted from Baramulla to Srinagar.
The campus located at Delina Baramulla lacks all the facilities which an engineering college should have. Due to tussle between local legislator , University management and Government , the career of these bright students who have been selected through proper entrance examination is at stake. The authorities had earlier agreed to shift Computer Science branch to Srinagar’s Zakura campus but it was stalled after MLA Baramulla Javaid Ahmad Baig resisted over the Government’s move. Baig wants to have at least computer science branch at Baramulla campus of University Engineering college.
Pertinently, the management of Kashmir University has established its own engineering college at Zakura area which is located around 5 kms away from Kashmir University Campus. The admission notification was issued for B Tech course in Mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering and Electronics and Communication engineering. In addition to Electronics and Communication branches, Mechanical and Electrical engineering are the new branches which were introduced for the first time in the Srinagar campus by University authorities recently . As on date Kashmir University has has only two branches of engineering in operation i.e., B Tech, Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) being run at University of Kashmir, Hazratbal and B Tech Computer Science and engineering (CSE) at North Campus, Baramulla. However new admissions in the already existing course of B.Tech Electronics and Communication Engineer (ECE) have also been advertised for the Zakura campus.
It is quite obvious that after starting of a full-fledged Engineering College, all existing engineering courses as well as new courses should function and operate from the Engineering College of University, Srinagar campus at Zakura , but due resistance from Baramulla MLA who belongs to ruling PDP , it didn’t happen. Earlier Education Minister Naeem Akhtar and the Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University were in favour of making Srinagar campus at Zakura operational , but after MLA Baramulla mounted pressure , this could not become a reality.
It is obvious that MLA Baramulla wants University Engineering college should function from Baramulla but that is not possible practically because other braches can’t be shifted from Srinagar to Baramulla. In order to mount pressure on Government , the MLA is not allowing to shift Computer Science branch to Srinagar. Politically , MLA may be right as he is also answerable to his people but technically all the streams need to be functional under a one roof. It is ridiculous that one branch of engineering course is being taught at Baramulla and classes for other streams are being taken 80 kms away at Hazratbal or Zakura in Srinagar.
“Teaching of Engineering subjects need to undertaken in one campus. The students of MBBS course are given training in a Medical college. We don’t have Surgery branch in one district and Gynaecology branch in another city . If this is not practically possible vis a vis MBBS course , why this injustice with us ? Out of 200 students 180 want that Computer science branch should be shifted from Baramulla to Srinagar , but nobody cares . Why are we made scapegoats ? ” argues Arsalan Mushtaq a student of B Tech Computer Science who is enrolled at Baramulla (North campus) of Kashmir University’s Engineering college.
Conclusion :
It is given to understand that Government is going to establish two new Engineering colleges in J&K. One in Jammu division and another in Kashmir valley under Rashtriya Uchatar Shikshaa Abhiyaan (RUSA). Why can’t Government establish engineering college meant for Kashmir division at Baramulla ? This would not only fulfil the demands of the people from Baramulla but people belonging to North Kashmir would also get directly benefitted. If this happens the Computer Science Engineering branch could be easily shifted from Baramulla to Srinagar campus of Kashmir University.
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