VC JU Prof Rai chairs Academic Council Meeting
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Academic Council (AC), University of Jammu, at its meeting presided over by Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, on Thursday approved the proposal for Ph. D in Engineering and Technology. The Academic Council discussed a number of important initiatives aimed at advancing academic excellence and institutional growth.
During the meeting, Prof Rahul Gupta, Registrar, JU placed 21 agenda items along with the Action Taken Report on the minutes of the previous meeting before the AC.
To augment the research initiative of the University, for the first time in the faculty of Engineering and Technology, the proposal submitted by the Office of Dean Research Studies with respect to the introduction of Ph.D Programme in Engineering & Technology at GCET/MIET (Autonomous College/Institute)/ UIET was unanimously endorsed by the Academic Council. For this purpose a separate BORS in Engineering & Technology shall be constituted by the University. The Academic council endorsed in principle the scheme for graduation and post graduation courses in Disaster Management for Instructors at High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), Gulmarg. This scheme is designed for serving army instructors with specialized skills and well prepared individuals capable of leading and cooperating effective disaster response efforts in challenging environments.
The University of Jammu and High Altitude Warfare School of Army at Gulmarg have entered into MOU for technical advancement and progression of army personnel, University students and faculty members specifically in the disciplines of high altitude studies and disaster management in mountainous regions.
The item with regard to the institution of Late S.D. Rohmetra Memorial Gold Medal, one for male and one for female topper in the Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication, with effect from the first passing out batch was endorsed by the Academic Council. It also approved a touch and smell garden for visually impaired students at the Botanical Garden at the University, an initiative of the Department of Botany.
During the meeting, the revival of one year P.G diploma in Sanskrit in the Post Graduate Department of Sanskrit for syndicate was also endorsed. The item with regard to grant of maternity leave/child care leave to the students pursuing the teacher education courses i.e. B.Ed, M.Ed, B.P.Ed., M.P.Ed. BA.B.Ed from the academic session 2024-2025 onwards as per NCTE norms was also endorsed by the Academic Council. The Academic Council also gave nod to devising/formulating selection criteria of engagement of contractual faculty in order to make the process more objective and to have rigorous qualification assessment. Besides, the Academic Council also endorsed the items with regard to increase/decrease of intake capacity, fees of self-enhancing, change of eligibility criteria and open courses of various P.G programmes, revision of guidelines for the admission of International Students in the University, adoption of Guidelines on Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP) in the JU, along with many other items.
The Academic Council unanimously nominated Prof. Rajeev Rattan, Director Colleges Development Council, to work on the Syndicate for the remaining triennial period of 2024-27 of the University Syndicate of the JU in pursuance of section 23 (1) (VIII) of Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act, 1969.
At the outset Prof. Rai, welcomed the members of the Academic Council, acknowledging their invaluable contributions and also expressed gratitude to the outgoing members.
He commended the collaborative efforts of the Office of the Dean Academic Affairs and all the heads of the teaching departments in streamlining the academic calendar of the University. He also lauded the efforts of the Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance and the steering committee for their diligent preparations towards the NAAC accreditation. He also lauded the Examination Wing for its commendable work in enrolling students in the Academic Bank of Credit and creating more than three thousand accounts.
Prof. Rai applauded the Department of Botany for its innovative endeavours of installing QR Code on every tree on the University Campus, and also commended the IT Cell of the University for e-governance initiative, and other initiatives. The Vice Chancellor also informed the house that a corpus of Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned to various clubs under Utsah and Rs 50 lakhs for Litzin Magazine.
Earlier, Prof. Anju Bhasin, Dean Academic Affairs, delivered a formal welcome address.
The Academic council meeting was attended by Prof. Meena Sharma, Dean Planning and Development, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies, Deans of various Faculties, Rectors of Off-Site Campuses, Directors and Heads of the Departments, Conveners of Boards of Studies, senior officers, and other officials of the University.
The proceedings of the meeting were conducted by Prof. Rahul Gupta, Registrar, University of Jammu, and Dr Sumita Sharma, Deputy Registrar DAA, presented a formal vote of thanks.
