Develop collaborative linkages to secure optimum benefit from all resources: Governor at JU special convocation

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A Special Convocation for the pass-outs of six academic sessions, from 2007 to 12, of University of Jammu was held here at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, today. Governor, N.N Vohra, Chancellor of the University was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The Chancellor awarded 265 Ph.D degrees and 367 Gold Medals, Cash Awards and Endowment Medals to the candidates for the session 2006-12 which include 58 Degrees in Science Faculty, 34 in Life Sciences, 68 in Arts, 41 in Social Sciences, 16 in Mathematical Sciences, 34 in Business Studies, nine in Education and five in Law.
A promising doctor Nikhil Mahajan got several medals for his academic brilliance. Son of K.K Gupta, Nikhil won Gold Medal for best Graduate of the year 2009; Virender Goyal Memorial Gold Medal for distinction/topper in ENT; Dr. Rukmani Mirpuri Memorial Gold Medal for highest percentage in MBBS (2009 Batch); Dr. Nanak Chand Memorial Gold Medal for highest marks in MBBS (2009 Batch) and Nikhil Baru Memorial Gold Medal for highest marks in Medicine.
Addressing the students the Governor observed that this Special Convocation had been organised to enable former students, who had passed out from the University during 2007-12, to receive their degrees and prizes which could not be done during the 14th Convocation held on 1st September 2014. The Governor also noted that a decision had been taken, in consultation with the Pro-Chancellor, that, henceforth, all the State Universities shall organise convocations on an annual basis.
The Governor congratulated all the students who received Ph.D degrees, medals and scholarships at the Convocation and wished them continuing success in their future careers. He also conveyed his best wishes to their parents.
The Governor stressed the importance of collaborative linkages being developed among the Universities and other research and academic institutions in the State to secure optimum utilization of all available resources. He said that such an approach is necessary for ensuring that the students who pass out after successfully concluding their courses possess varied skills which are required in the job market. The Governor noted that such linkages are also necessary to make the entire scheme of the choice based credit system truly workable and productive.
He emphasized that the attainment of such an objective would also involve accreditation arrangements between state and national level institutions and, soon enough, with renowned institutions abroad. Such arrangements will provide the students opportunities of benefitting from various universities and other academic and research institutions which have known capacities for teaching and skill upgradation.
The Governor noted that it was not enough to merely think in terms of securing well paid jobs. For this purpose, he said that our qualified youth must contribute towards the determination of practical solutions to the various problems and challenges which are facing our country and the State, particularly those which relate to shelter, health, safe drinking water, literacy, energy and in various other arenas which are standing in the way of our country moving rapidly forward.
The Governor said that the obtaining global environment is knowledge driven and highly competitive. To achieve success and advancement in their careers, our students need to possess both knowledge and the relevant skills to be able to effectively face and survive in the highly competitive environment in which they have to function. It is also necessary that the skills, once acquired, are constantly upgraded to remain abreast of the latest available knowledge and technologies.
The Governor observed that the real challenge before the university is to ensure that every course is attractive to the students and is of interest to the world of business and industry. For gaining positive outcomes, he said that the curricula and the course contents need to be kept under continuous watch for ensuring that the learning being imparted to the students remains continuously relevant. He said that it is equally necessary to ensure that no off-site campus should commence functioning unless it has adequate infrastructure and suitably qualified and experienced faculty. The Governor urged the Vice Chancellor and all his colleagues to undertake a continuing audit of all the academic programmes and noted that a critical evaluation of the existing programmes would enable the University to suitably reshape them and perhaps also introduce new courses, as may be required.
The Governor asked teachers and members of the faculties to play an effective role as motivators and counsellors and get meaningfully involved in the character building of their students. He said that the teachers have the high responsibility of ensuring that their pupils are imbued with moral and ethical values and are able to contribute towards the establishment of sound and stable societies.
The Governor wished the Vice Chancellor and all his colleagues high success in all their efforts to take this University forward on all fronts at a fast pace and to see that this institution achieves a reputation for high excellence.
Earlier, Dr. R.D. Sharma, Acting Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, presented the Vice Chancellor’s Report. He highlighted the achievements of the University and its future plan of action. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the growth and development of the University.
The proceedings of the Special Convocation commenced with Prof. Manoj Dhar, Registrar, Jammu University, seeking permission of the Chancellor and declaring the Special Convocation Open.
Present on the occasion were members of the faculty, students, parents of the students and many distinguished guests.