Srinagar: The University of Kashmir (KU) on Tuesday held the 57th meeting of its Academic Council, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan, to review academic policies, curriculum reforms and proposals for new programmes across the university.
The Council reviewed action-taken reports on resolutions adopted at previous meetings and considered matters related to programme regulations, academic collaborations, revised statutes, curriculum development and new academic offerings at university campuses and affiliated institutions.
Addressing the meeting, Prof Khan said academic expansion must balance innovation with quality standards and respond to evolving educational requirements.
“Every programme we consider must meet clear academic standards and contribute meaningfully to students’ learning and future opportunities,” she said, stressing the need for periodic review of courses and academic structures to keep them aligned with national frameworks and quality benchmarks.
The Council emphasised skill development, innovation and stronger industry linkages while discussing new academic programmes. Members were informed that revised engineering programmes now include internships, project work, experiential learning and an Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme integrating workplace training with the B.Tech curriculum.
Dean Academic Affairs Prof Shariefuddin Pirzada presented the agenda and briefed members on items placed for consideration and ratification.
Among the key proposals discussed were draft regulations for twinning degree programmes with foreign higher educational institutions, revised statutes for B.Tech and Law programmes, programme mapping under the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework, and matters related to NCTE recognition for B.Ed and M.Ed programmes.
The Council also considered proposals for an M.Sc in Bioinformatics, diploma programmes in Health and Fitness, Indian Knowledge System and Data Science, specialisations in Information Technology, and a Four-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme.
Issues related to syllabi, course structures, postgraduate programmes, admissions, eligibility criteria and adoption of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions curriculum were also discussed.
The meeting was attended by Dean Research Prof Bashir Ahmad Ganaie, Dean College Development Council Prof Aneesa Shafi, Registrar Prof Naseer Iqbal, Controller of Examinations Prof Majid Zaman Baba, deans, heads of departments, directors of campuses and centres, college principals and other senior university officials.
