STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The University of Jammu held an interaction session with the media to share its achievement of being awarded A+ grade (Cycle III 2009-2016) with CGPA of 3.51, thereby making the University, a part of an elite group of A+ Institutions. The function was well attended by a wide section of media.
Dr. Meenakshi Kilam , Director, Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance, in her opening remarks spoke about the Quality Assurance system and NAAC Assessment and Accreditation process in the University of Jammu.
She apprised the house that in 2002, the University of Jammu was graded as a Four Star University, as per the system of accreditation prevalent at that time. Quality Assurance got a boost in the University with the establishment of a Centre for Quality Assurance in 2005 to institutionalize Quality Assurance.
In 2009, the University of Jammu submitted itself for reaccreditation and reassessment (Cycle II) in 2009 and obtained an A grade with a CGPA 3.17 for the period 2002-2008. University of Jammu further demonstrated its commitment to quality and excellence by upgrading the Centre for Quality Assurance into a Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance (DIQA).
She informed that the Directorate works as an in house consultant and an intervention strategist for bringing new initiatives and enhance quality in the system .She further added that the purpose of introducing new initiatives is not getting a grade but to make a genuine difference to the quality. The harmonious and well coordinated functioning of the University with the support of all its internal stakeholders like students, scholars, faculty members, non teaching staff and external stakeholders like Alumni, civil society , affiliated colleges, parents , media led to this achievement. The guidance and patronage received from the Chancellor , the Pro-Chancellor and the Hon’ble Education Minister, J and K Govt. and other government State functionaries played the role of catalyst in this regard.
She thanked the Vice Chancellor for the freedom and faith he reposed in her and her team, Convenors and members of the Committees, Liaison Officers, Visit Coordinators, Team Coordinators and Quality Assurance and NAAC Coordinators which motivated all of them to work in unison with commitment and dedication. She attributed the achievement to the Vice Chancellor’s commitment and focus on quality assurance and accreditation processes.
Prof R.D Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu while addressing the gathering highlighted the achievements of the University during the period under Assessment like introduction of Choice based credit system, revamping and updating syllabi based on UGC guidelines/competitive examinations in order to ensure higher probability of employment of our students, introduction of entrance test, use of ICT, examination reforms, improvement in infrastructure and learning resources etc.
He informed that the University in 2016 also achieved the distinction of being ranked 64th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework.
He further apprised the house about the research achievements of the University which have been appreciated by the external agencies and specially mentioned about the recently announced PURSE programme (Promotion of Research and Scientific Excellence) of the DST, GOI wherein the University has achieved the rare distinction of being one of the 29 Universities to be granted Rs.16.75 crores on account of improved research performance, based on qualifying the minimum h-index of 45 for the publications from 2002-2012.
In response to various questions posed by the media, he talked about different areas of functioning of the University, mantainence of discipline on the campus, new programmes and initiatives of the University. He also appreciated the role of the media as the fourth pillar of democracy and a positive role that media and institutions of higher institutions can play in reforming and channelizing the energy of the youth. He thanked the media for their constructive feedback and assured them to work on their suggestions wherever feasible.
Among those who attended the interaction session were Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Deshbandhu Gupta; Dean Research Studies, Prof. Jigar Mohammad; Chief Coordinator, Campuses, Prof. Rajnikant; Former Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Poonam Dhawan, former Director, Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance, Prof. Kuldeep Sharma; former Registrars Prof. Naresh Padha , Prof. Manoj Dhar ; Controller of Examinations Sanjeev Mahajan; Director, Colleges Development J.K Sharma; Special Secretary to Vice Chancellor , Dr. Neeraj Sharma; Associate Dean Student Welfare, Dr. Anupama Vohra; Joint Registrar (Finance), Dr. Jatinder Khajuria ; Joint Registrar (Exams ), Ashwani Padha ; Executive Engineer, S.K.Pandita ; Dr. Kuldeep Singh Charak, President, Teachers’ Association; Vivek Slathia, President , Officers Welfare Association ; Pawan Singh , President , Non- teaching Employees Union , Suraj Prakash, Vice -President, Non- Gazetted Employees Union , Dy. Director , DIQA , Ginny Dogra and other functionaries of the Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance.
The interaction ended with a formal vote of thanks by the Registrar, Prof. Keshav Sharma.
‘Anguished over burning of schools’
JAMMU: Expressing surprise over the burning of educational institutes in the Valley, Jammu University Vice Chancellor Prof R D Sharma on Wednesday said, “Why just for the killing of one terrorist, schools are being set ablaze across Kashmir.”
During media interaction at the Campus, the Vice Chancellor agreed to the option that had Burhan Wani been arrested instead of killed the Kashmir unrest could have been averted.”
The reply was in the backdrop of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti raising a huge controversy that had the security forces been aware about the identity of terrorist Burhan, his life would have been spared. Deputy Chief Minister Prof Nirmal Singh had also given statements which had created buzz around Burhan Wani
Explaining his take on turmoil in Kashmir Prof Sharma, however, quickly added, “We cannot comment on the killing of a terrorist. We are academicians and our effort should be to bring the protesting derailed youth to the mainstream.’
To repeated questions from reporters on burning of educational institutions in Kashmir and its solution, the Vice Chancellor said, “I am not a politician to give solutions. I don’t know where the problem is.” On campus security, Pro R D Sharma said, “It is our top priority. We have deployed our men in civvies besides the process for recruitment of ex-servicemen and women has also been started.
“Last year, few outsider suspicious girls were suspected to have stayed inside the girls’ hostel. On inputs we held internal inquiry besides sharing the info with police,” the JU VC revealed adding “nothing concrete was recovered. However, the inputs had revealed us that girls’ were involved in Hawala transactions.”
