JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Sunday directed the universities to fast-track the implementation of NEP-2020 and focus on skill development and employability of the students while promoting locals languages and culture.
He also laid broad guidelines on moving towards formulation of courses and curriculum based on the new National Education Policy (NEP).
Interacting with Vice-Chancellors of the universities in J&K, Sinha reviewed the programs undertaken by the varsities under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, an official press release informed.
It said at the outset, all the Vice-Chancellors and Director Colleges gave detailed presentations on the activities and programs undertaken by their varsities and the Higher Education department under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and briefed the chair about the proposed activities to be organized in run-up to the celebrations of 75th year of Independence.
While chairing the meeting, the LG called for the impact assessment of programmes undertaken, besides sustained efforts to highlight the contribution of freedom fighters.
The LG called for completing the modalities of transfer to Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), Exit option provision and preparing an action plan to promote course modules on cultural values, professional ethics, Indian Knowledge System, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry 4.0 skills and communication skills.
He said that focus should be on skilling and employability of students, besides promotion of local languages and culture.
“Universities should invest more in innovation and incubation, providing youth with prospects for the future and strengthening the position of young women in the society,” he added.
According to the press release, calling on academia to lead the journey of development and prosperity of J&K, the LG said that research must flow from labs to the field. He impressed on Agriculture universities to focus on developing innovative ways to reduce the input cost of farmers, besides providing continuous handholding to increase production.
During the meeting, the LG observed that vocational courses, co-curricular activities and student exchange programs should be made an integral part of the education system.
Underscoring the need for increased synergy between the universities and Higher Education department of UT administration, the LG directed concerned officials for better coordination between the two to find solutions for various societal issues, ensuring the welfare of underprivileged sections of the society through actionable research and new technologies.
He urged the universities to put special focus on fighting the drug menace through ‘Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan’. Sustained programmes highlighting the issue of drugs and creating a mass movement against the menace is the need of the hour, he added.
Underlining the crucial role of universities in development of the UT, the LG issued directions for laying focus on linkage between industry demands and commensurate up-skilling through updated curricula and capacity building of faculty.
He called for constituting a VC’s group for working out modalities and formulating a UT-level action plan for robust implementation of NEP and way forward. He also advised for holding regular follow-up meetings on the issue.
While reviewing the various activities organized by the universities, the LG said that fundamental values of harmony and role of universities in building ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ must also be the central themes of celebration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the LG; Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to LG; Prof. M. K. Dhar, VC Jammu University; Prof. Talat Ahmad, VC Kashmir University; Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, VC, IUST; Prof. Akbar Masood, VC BGSBU; Prof. Bechan Lal, VC, Cluster University of Jammu; Prof. Qayyum Hussain, VC, Cluster University Srinagar; (Prof.) Dr. Yasmeen Ashai, Director Colleges and representatives of SKUAST Jammu and SKUAST Kashmir were present during the interaction.
