Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday asked the Kashmir University administration to prepare a roadmap for bringing in qualitative improvement in the overall functioning of the institution.
Chairing the 81st Kashmir University Council meet at the Raj Bhavan here, Sinha called on the academia to identify the challenges in the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 and prepare a plan accordingly, thus making higher education sector effective, result-oriented, and more vibrant.
The LG, who is also the Chancellor of the university, also directed the administration to strengthen its research ecosystem, upgrade infrastructural facilities, and academic and research programmes with a special focus on most recent advancements.
He sought a detailed report on the activities and initiatives launched by the varsity and advised it to take comprehensive measures for strengthening academic and research environment in the varsity.
Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir apprised Sinha regarding the various administrative, academic, financial, and examination related reforms and research breakthroughs made by the varsity.
He informed the chair about the new programmes introduced, research and extension activities, collaborations and linkages with universities around the world, recent research collaborations, and memorandums of understanding signed.
The LG observed that best methods of teaching should be adopted along with the regular capacity building of teaching faculties of the university campuses, incorporating students’ feedback and making qualitative improvement in the assessment of the students’ feedback system for evaluating the performances of individual teachers.
Laying special emphasis on research work and counselling for addressing drug de-addiction and improving mental health, the LG called for dedicated academic inputs and devising programmes for the same.
On the training of workforce in tourism sector, the LG called for imparting tourism and hospitality based training and research in the university. He further asked for Inter/Intra UT/State Student-Teacher exchange program for handholding of new universities, spreading awareness and publicity of startups for increasing the startup culture and creating industry linkage of academia, besides imparting skill-based training to local youth to meet the requirements of skilled workforce.
The LG stressed optimum utilization of all available ICT technology-based teaching programmes and updating of e-learning and other teaching tools to connect the students and faculty with the enhanced educational resource platforms.
He also called for promoting excellence in teaching, research, and extension activities, strengthening technical education, optimum utilization of university’s resources, and advised for evolving best practices for maintaining transparency in all student-related matters.
He further asked the university authorities to lay special focus on capacity building, job oriented and skill development courses for the students to meet the modern-day requirements.
He congratulated the faculty and students for receiving grants of international fellowships, awards, and scholarships.
The meeting was attended by Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the LG; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance department; Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the LG; Talat Parvez Rohella, Commissioner/ Secretary, Higher Education; Chancellor’s nominees – Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah, Prof. Showkat Ahmad Shah, Dr. Fehmeeda Hilal, Dr. Manzoor Ahmad; Dr. Tariq Ahmad Bhat, Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Dr. Shimla, Dr. Nissar Ahmed Mir, Registrar, KU and other senior officers.
