Governor chairs Kashmir University Council meet

JAMMU, APRIL 14(KMW): Governor Mr. N.N. Vohra, Chancellor of the Kashmir University, in a meeting held here at the Raj Bhavan yesterday, called for focus on identified research projects which relate to finding practical solutions of the local problems. He exhorted the research scholars and the teachers to follow a holistic approach for arriving at better understandings of environmental concerns, the changing weather patterns and resulting effects on agricultural production, among other concerns. The Governor emphasized the importance of quality research to maintain high standard of scholarship in the University. He lauded the scholars of the Kashmir University for securing a significant number of prestigious national fellowships and some international recognitions. Mr. Naeem Akhter, Education Minister, endorsed the Governor’s view and called upon the Universities to undertake researches based on local issues.
While reviewing Action Taken on the decisions taken in the preceding meeting of the Council, Prof. Andrabi, Vice- Chancellor, University of Kashmir, informed the Governor that, as advised by him, the Department of Geology and Regional Development had undertaken studies related to assessment of flood hazard vulnerability, climate change, disaster management and other related environmental issues concerning the State and the society. Consequently projects on Evaluation of Flood Hazard –Vulnerability of Kashmir Valley; GIS based Atlas of Human Disease in Kashmir Valley etc. had been taken up.
The Council approved admissions to various Undergraduate, Post Graduate and other programmes being done exclusively on the basis of the score obtained in the entrance test conducted by the University or tests such as JEE, CET, GMAT, CMAT, UGAT; introduction of Peer Assessment and Student Evaluation of faculty members; grant of exemption to candidates who qualify NET/SET or any such other eligibility test from appearing in the Entrance Test conducted by the University for admission to 3-year integrated Ph.D programe; introduction of Arabic language paper in B.Ed programme; institution of scholarships for meritorious students of Kashmir University Model School; shifting of Department of Library and Information Sciences from the Faculty of Arts to the Faculty of Social Sciences etc.
Prof. Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, made a power point presentation on the status of various ongoing research and infrastructure related projects and those in the pipeline, achievements of the University in varied fields since the last meeting of the Council, introduction of various new courses, status of filling up teaching and non-teaching positions in the University etc. He informed the Council about the University having launched two Masters Programmes in Nanotechnology and Energy Studies.
Among those who attended the Council meeting were R.P Agarwal, former Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India; Prof. R.D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University; Mr. B.R. Sharma, Principal Secretary Planning and Development Department; Mr. B.B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Finance; Mr. P.K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Ms. Sarita Chouhan, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department; Prof. Neelofar Hassan Khan, Dean Students Welfare, Kashmir University; Prof. Yasmin Kawoos, Principal, Government Degree College, Bemina; Prof. Nasreen Malik, Principal, Government Degree College, Ganderbal; Prof. N. A. Rather, Dean, Faculty of Physical and Material Science, KU; Prof. Akbar Masood, Dean, Faculty of Biological Sciences, KU; and Prof. Zafar Ahmad, Registrar, Kashmir University.