Ganderbal, Apr 23: The first meetings of the Interdisciplinary Board of Studies (IDBS) and 1st Steering Committee of the Design and Innovation Centre (DIC) of the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) were held with Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir in chair at varsity’s Green Campus here on Monday.
Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, Prof. Ashok Aima, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Prof. Professor Javed Musarrat, Registrar and Director DIC, Prof. Fayaz A Nikka, Controller of Examinations, Prof. Parveen Pandit, Project Advisor, Prof. N A Nadeem, senior faculty members, experts, heads and representatives of different fields were present.
Addressing participants, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir said, CUK has the distinction of bagging the DIC project and has started diploma programmes in Kashmir craft designing, herbal medicine and aroma technology, food production and processing, design and dressmaking. He said the objectives of DIC are to promote idea of innovation and preserve the cultural heritage of the State, adding the project also aims to facilitate interdisciplinary education, research and entrepreneurial activities in order to create commercial opportunities and building partnership between academia and industry.
DIC is a project which has been given by Ministry of Human Resource Development to the Central University of Kashmir along with 19 other universities in the country.
Project Advisor, Prof. N A Nadeem, gave a detailed presentation on the occasion highlighting the functioning of DIC and its future programmes. He said that a total of 140 students have been admitted in four diploma programmes operating from the Green Campus of the varsity, GDCs Budgam, Magam, Baramulla, Anantnag, Ganderbal Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Indian Institute of Hotel Management, and Government Polytechnic for Women. He further said that a total of 11 research projects are in hand with DIC (four senior research project fellows and 7 junior research project fellows). Prof Nadeem said that patents for “Carpet Weaving Skill training language” has already been filed while as for Paper Machie interior decoration, the same is under process. He said the DIC is contemplating to launch short duration courses in art and drawing, calligraphy, web designing, I-pod Sufi Music, Cinematography, and Animation.
Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, Prof. Ashok Aima, Vice-Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Prof. Professor Javed Musarrat, complimented CUK for getting the DIC project and said that full emphasis should be made on field training of the students. “The factories should become the classrooms for the students receiving admission in DIC project,” they said. They also underscored the need of having strong linkages with institutions promoting entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir.
Former Director General Tourism, and Chairman INTACH, Saleem Begh, also hailed the varsity for receiving the project. He asked the varsity to identify and revive the traditional system of medicines in Kashmir.
