SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Monday called for improving the quality of education, which would attract reputed firms for talent hunt in the state, saying the present day is the age of knowledge and excellence.
“The present age is the age of knowledge and excellence. I urge upon the institutes of higher learning to improve quality and become centres of placement where big and reputed firms from country and abroad come searching for talent,” Sayeed said.
The chief minister said this while taking a firsthand appraisal of lower and higher educational institutes in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts.
Sayeed said education would be accorded top-most priority and new techniques in advanced learning would be incorporated in the curricula.
During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected the Central University and Sainik School at Manasbal in Ganderbal and Islamia College of Science and Commerce at Hawal, MP Higher Secondary School, Babademb and Girls Higher Secondary School Nowhatta here.
At the Central University, the Chief Minister said the varsity shall be constructed at Ganderbal only and all land and construction-related issues will be resolved on a fast-track basis to ensure time-bound completion of the prestigious project.
The Central University has been operating out of rented accommodation in Srinagar district.
The Vice Chancellor of the university Meraj ud Din briefed the Chief Minister about the issues confronting the University for its Establishment at Ganderbal.
At Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Sayeed appreciated the role of faculty in grant of autonomous status to the College by the University Grants Commission, which was a precondition for becoming a Deemed University. .
He said the institute has the potential to come up as an advanced school of excellence where students can get easily placed in reputed companies and firms in the country and also abroad.
The Chief Minister also called for establishing a Skill Development Institute to build upon innovative talent of artisans engaged in handicraft sector.
He said he will soon convene the Governing Body meeting of the Islamia College so that the issues confronting the institute are resolved at an earliest.
Sayeed also asked the Principal of Islamia College to adopt Boys and Girls Higher Secondary schools, Zadibal, so that these are up-graded as Model Schools.
He said the Government would introduce in a big way new concepts like smart classrooms and e-learning to bring the education sector at par with global benchmarks.
While visiting Sainik School, the Chief Minister said steps would be taken to develop the school as an institution of excellence.
“I will soon convene the meeting of the Board of Governors of the School in this regard,” he said.
The Chief Minister also visited Government Girls Higher School, Nowhatta, where he announced its up-gradation as Model School.
He also passed directions for starting new stream in IT and establishing a smart room with computer lab.
Sayeed also announced up-gradation of MP Higher Secondary School, Baba Demb, as a Model School.