Integrated UG-PG Programmes approved for Offsite Campuses under NEP-2020

JU Academic Council takes major academic initiatives

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The Academic Council of the University of Jammu (JU), in its meeting held on Monday under the Chairmanship of Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, deliberated upon and endorsed a wide range of academic, statutory, and institutional matters aimed at strengthening academic innovation, expanding academic programmes, and aligning the University’s academic ecosystem with the transformative vision of the National Education Policy (NEP-2020).
Prof. Rai highlighted the University’s pioneering academic initiatives, particularly the innovative Integrated Undergraduate-Postgraduate programme introduced by the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, wherein the first year equips students with multidisciplinary competencies including information technology, coding, data analytics, communication, creativity, artificial intelligence, and financial literacy before enabling them to specialize in Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science. He further underscored the University’s commitment to preserving regional culture, heritage, and languages through academic and cultural initiatives, including the establishment of a Centre for Regional Studies, Culture, Dialects, and Emotional Intelligence, along with a series of student-centric academic and cultural activities organized through various University clubs.
Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, JU presented the agenda items of academic importance for deliberations before the Academic Council. These included the start of B. Tech. (Electronics & Communication Engineering) at UIET, Kathua Campus, establishment of a “Translation Cell” in the Centre for Distance & Online Education.
The Council also approved the proposal of NIELIT (Srinagar/Jammu) for conducting free-of-cost skill development programmes for students of the University and its offsite campuses.
The Council further endorsed the introduction of the Four-Year Bachelor of Physical Education and Sports (B.P.E.S.) programme with an intake capacity of 50 students in the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education and the introduction of the Two-Year Integrated Master of Library and Information Science (M.Lib.I.Sc.) programme under NEP-2020, replacing the existing B.Lib.I.Sc (one year) from 2026-27 and M.Lib.I.Sc (one year ) programme from 2027-28 offered under the Non-CBCS pattern.
The Council endorsed the introduction of the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in the Department of Education from the Academic Session 2026-27. The Council further endorsed the adoption of statutes governing the Five-Year Integrated Programme in the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences in the University of Jammu.
In a student-centric decision, the Academic Council approved the grant of one-time special chance to reappear/failure candidates of UG/PG Professional and Non-Professional programmes for clearing backlogs up to the Academic Year 2026.
To strengthen academic governance and disciplinary growth, the Council endorsed the constitution of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and the creation of a separate Dean in the said Faculty.
It further endorsed the introduction of the Five-Year Integrated UG-PG Programme (FYIP) under NEP-2020 at the Bhaderwah Campus, on the analogy of the FYIP offered in the main campus.
It further endorsed the introduction of Five-Year Integrated UG-PG Programmes under NEP-2020 at the main campus from the Academic Session 2026-27 onwards, and the adoption of statutes governing FYIP programmes as per NEP-2020.
In the context of global academic engagement, the Council approved adoption of the guidelines for pursuing Joint degree/Twinning degree with Foreign Higher Education Institutions, as per the UGC Regulations 2022 on Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Higher Education Institutions.
The Council also endorsed the B.Com Programme at the Centre for Distance and Online Education under Non-Collegiate Women Education Board, on the analogy of the B.Com programme being offered at the Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu.
The Academic Council further approved the matter of award of credits to students of UG/PG programmes who participate in various co-curricular activities in consonance with the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
It also took note of the allocation of ISSN: 3108-2327 to the University’s vernacular annual peer-reviewed journal “GYANANJALI”, which will significantly enhance the institution’s image by transitioning the publication from local to a globally academic resource.
Earlier Prof. J. P. Singh Joorel, Dean Academic Affairs in his welcome address acknowledged the efforts of the Deans, Heads, Rector, Directors and other faculty members for providing their valuable academic inputs.
Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Prof. Sangita Gupta, Dean Planning and Development also shared their inputs.
Dr. Manohar Lal, Principal, Govt Degree College Boys Kathua; Dr. Sanjeev Verma, Principal Govt Degree College (Boys) Udhampus; Dr. Naveen Anand, Principal Govt Degree College Women, Bhagwati Nagar; Dr. Savi Behal, Principal Govt Degree College, Paloura; Dr. Vandana Verma, Principal, Govt, Degree, College, Sunderbani; Prof Mohd. farooq Mirza, Principal Govt Degree College Bhaderwah; Head Department of Music, Govt Degree College, R.S Pura; Dr Bandana, Head, Department of Arabic, Govt Degree College, Mandi also attended the meeting.
The vote thanks was presented by Dr. Saran Preet Broca, Joint Registrar, Academics.