Need to progressively transform J&K’s universities into economic growth centres: LG

By admin On Oct 20, 2022

First meeting of Higher Education Council

STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday stressed on the need to develop a pragmatic roadmap to enhance the potential of human resources and progressively transform universities into economic growth centres.

HEIs progressing rapidly across J&K: Kansal
SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Rohit Kansal on Wednesday remarked that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Jammu and Kashmir are progressing rapidly and the National Education Policy (NEP)-2022 has laid a clear road map of developing these institutions in every sphere. Kansal made these comments while addressing a large gathering of students and faculty members after inaugurating State of Art Sports infrastructure including Volley Ball complex, Double Storey Table Tennis Hall and Gymnasium at Govt. College of Education, M.A. Road here.
Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary complimented the college Administration, staff and students for Securing Grade “A” in NAAC assessment and impressed upon the management to initiate the process of achieving Autonomous Status for the college. He assured all support for development of infrastructure, up-gradation of auditorium and other related services in the college and asked the teacher to develop the character of nation building among students and inculcate the values of nationalism among them.
The Principal Secretary further highlighted that NEP-2020 is focusing majorly on Skill based courses in Higher Education Institutions and therefore maximum efforts should be made for commencement of varied types of Skill courses in the institution.
Kansal also called upon the management of college to hold regular interactions with students on development of curriculum and provide them facility to provide feedback on quality of education as well as other aspects of the college.
In her address, Principal, Prof. Seema Naz presented a brief profile of the institution and she applauded the efforts of all the stakeholders for accomplishment of Grade ANAAC Assessment and Accreditation.
Later, the Principal Secretary also released several publications of the institution like College Magazine ‘Shame-e-Ferozan’, college prospectus and Internship manual for Teacher Education programmes. Kansal also distributed certificates among meritorious students of the college on the occasion.

“Our Higher Education ecosystem needs to re-align itself to meet the needs of the present-day challenges and be fully geared to participate in the development taking place in different sectors of the Union Territory,” Sinha said while chairing the first meeting of J&K Higher Education Council here at Raj Bhawan Auditorium. The Lt Governor advised for expanding collaborations with other stakeholders, especially in the sectors like Agriculture and tourism. Increased technological input in Agriculture is the need of the hour. Universities need to closely work with this sector, facilitate mechanization and undertake value-added tasks for economic connectivity and prosperity of the villages, said the Lt Governor.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Dr. Dinesh Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, Delhi University; Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Nilofar Khan, VC, University of Kashmir; Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, VC, IUST; Prof. Akbar Masood, VC BGSBU; Prof. Najma Akhtar, VC, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Prof. G. Rangarajan, Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; Dr. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Principal ICSC, Srinagar and Dr. Vishal Sharma, Principal GDC Bani attended the meeting and gave their valuable suggestions on the reforms and necessary interventions required for improving quality of learning & teaching in the Higher Education sector of the UT.
The meeting held a threadbare discussion on the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP)- 2020 in the Colleges and Universities across J&K UT; improving accountability and responsiveness in the system; encouraging research, innovation, skill development, capacity building, competitiveness; enhancing employability; integrating technology for transforming Education; Multidisciplinary Education, Flexibility & Student Mobility and increasing access through Digital Learning.
The Lt Governor said our aim is to create global cadre of skilled youth and Colleges, Universities need to make them competitive and also bridge the employable skill gap. He also sought valuable suggestions from the members of the council for better utilization of the education budget.
The Lt Governor said the government will ensure effective implementation of the recommendations of the Council. He appreciated the efforts of Dr. Dinesh Singh, eminent educationist and former Vice Chancellor, Delhi University; Prof. G. Rangarajan, Director, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; Dr. Kavi Arya, Professor of Computer Science, IIT Bombay; Prof. Najma Akhtar, VC, Jamia Millia Islamia, and other members of the Council for ongoing work to transform the Higher Education ecosystem of J&K.
Discussions were also held on the role of higher education in implementation of Gati Shakti, policy formation, vision 2047; conducting teacher-student exchange programmes; mapping and sharing of resources, collaborations and MoUs with International Institutions; adopting best practices; encouraging climate change study; identifying gaps and preparing actions plans accordingly.
The meeting further discussed encouraging students’ participation, especially girls in sports, cultural and other such activities.
Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department presented a detailed overview of the Higher Education sector in the UT, roadmap for institutional accreditations and future readiness of the department.
He informed about the Capacity building, training and mentoring programmes; student feedback and faculty evaluation, growth anddevelopment mechanisms; gross enrolment & gender parity ratio; Aadhar-based biometric attendance system for teachers; adoption of e-Samarth in colleges and universities and registration of students with Academic Bank of Credits.
All eligible colleges will ensure NAAC Accreditation in academic year-2022-23. We are also ensuring that the Uniform Academic Calendar for the UT will be followed in letter and spirit, he added.