LG advises universities to recalibrate, reform, readjust themselves to adapt to changes

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐌𝐕𝐃𝐔

STATE TIMES NEWS

KATRA: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday advised the universities to recalibrate, reform and readjust themselves to adapt to the changes.

Decks cleared for establishment of new Medical College at Kakryal
KATRA: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Saturday accorded in-principle approval for the establishment of a 50-seat new Medical College at Kakryal at an approximate cost of Rs. 350-450 crore.
The approval was accorded at a meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and attended by members of the Board- Mahamandleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj; Dr Ashok Bhan; Kulbhushan Ahuja; Dr Neelam Sareen; K K Sharma; Suresh Kumar Sharma and Raghu K. Mehta.
Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor and Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB were also present.
The Board concurred with the projected need for expansion of the operational base of SMVDNSH (Hospital of the Board) to cater to a larger number of patients requiring specialized treatment. After extensive deliberations, the Board accorded in-principle approval to addition of 200 to 220 beds to the existing capacity of Hospital at an approximate cost of Rs. 120 crore.
The Board took note of reported position, held extensive deliberations, ratified and gave in-principle approvals to as many as 36 agenda items having varied implications for the functioning of Board and augmenting of pilgrim services.
The Board asked the CEO SMVDSB to strive for creating best of facilities in sync with the emerging requirements, for making pilgrimage a memorable experience. In line with the same, the Board granted in-principle approval to construction of a new Yatri-cum-Staff accommodation at Bhawan at an approximate cost of Rs. 31.51 crore.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of various pilgrim-centric mega infrastructure projects such as Skywalk, retrofitting and remodeling of Parvati Bhawan, expansion of Atka area etc.
The CEO, SMVDSB informed the Board that the prestigious projects underway at Bhawan are being expedited and are likely to be completed prior to the Shardiya Navratras. He also apprised the Board about various steps initiated for averting crisscross movement of pilgrims for a hassle free Darshan experience.
The CEO Shrine Board was directed to expedite construction / redevelopment of Shankaracharya Temple along with the creation of track and allied facilities and emphasized the need to engage all stakeholders for satisfactory resolution of all pending issues in this regard.
The CEO apprised the chair about the action taken on several fronts such as employees’ welfare (including re-structuring of various cadres, institution of Award Scheme to recognize outstanding performers etc), the amendment in Administrative, Financial and other powers to be exercised by various officers, the disaster management initiatives undertaken in the recent past and as to how these have helped in improving the employee’s level of preparedness to face any disaster like situation. The Board also approved the required Grant-in-Aid for the FY 2023-24 in favour of SMVD Charitable Society for strengthening the functioning of Board’s peripheral institutions like Gurukul, Hospital, Sports Complex and College of Nursing (being managed under the SMVD Society).
The Lt Governor reiterated that the facilities for pilgrims are topmost priority of the Board and all steps must be taken for their hassle-free pilgrimage.
He directed the CEO Shrine Board to ensure online bookings for passenger ropeway for easy access and comfort of devotees. The safety of passengers must be ensured, he added. On the sidelines of the meeting, the Lt Governor, who is the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, laid e-foundation stones for Cottages and a mess Block near SMVD Sports Complex Katra for the devotees and Staff accommodation at Banganga to be developed at a cost of Rs. 14 crore. He also launched the revamped website of Shrine Board and released the Dogri translation of Panchtantra by Dr Neelam Sareen.

“It is high time we realize that the traditional learning process and education that we have known for many decades will no longer exist in the future”, Sinha said while addressing the 20th Foundation Day celebration of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), at Matrika Auditorium.
At the event, the Lt Governor laid foundation stones for the infrastructural projects worth Rs 70 Crore.
He observed that in the technology driven world, the recalibration in education will liberate students from conventional academic content, disciplines and train them with skills and ability to succeed in the uncharted future.
The Lt Governor congratulated the students, faculty and the staff members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and commended the significant contribution of the university in the education sector.
“In the last two decades, SMVDU has nurtured students, served the knowledge economy of the country with great distinction and aspires to empower young generation,” the Lt Governor said.
Education awakens the mind. It offers the ability to question the status quo and the questions sow the seeds of growth. It is the responsibility of our Universities and teaching community to prepare enlightened citizens through research, inquiry, creativity, innovation and contribute to realize the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, he said.
He Lt Governor talked about the emergence of new technologies and its impact on the society.
“Cutting-Edge tools of Artificial Intelligence and the explosion of new technologies have brought social equality. It is changing the way we collect, process and utilize the knowledge for a better world. This change also presents vast opportunities to every individual to grow and prosper,” the Lt Governor said.
Today, scientists, academicians and thinkers both from Global North and Global South are redefining education and its objectives, the Lt Governor said. He asked the higher educational institutions and universities to aim for global excellence and competitive advantage.
We are living in the world of surprises where the only constant in life is change. But, the biggest challenge is to prepare students for the jobs that don’t yet exist. We need to provide them with skills that will remain relevant and complement the growing pace of change, he added.
He said there has been a tectonic shift from what we were producing as an agriculture society to now as a knowledge society.
Journey from raw materials to knowledge products has been phenomenal. Innovation and research will now become the soul and integral pillar of the Universities, he added.
Highlighting the significant features of the National Education Policy 2020, the Lt Governor said , under the guidance of Prime Minister, the progressive education policy offers the key to unlock the vast potential of basic knowledge, applied skills, critical thinking, collaboration, leadership, creativity, innovation, lifelong learning and career skills like flexibility, adaptability as well as social and cross cultural skill.
The Lt Governor also emphasized on the stronger industry-academic relationship. He said, in the next 5 years the manufacturing will shift towards automation which means innovation and digital transformation will play a significant role.
India has already formulated action plan for 12 identified champion sectors that include IT, ITeS, Tourism, Legal Services, Communication Services, Environment and the Education Sector. I am confident by 2030 India will become unique emerging Services market and a global manufacturing hub, he added.
The Lt Governor also shared the unique endeavour of the Jammu University to prepare students for future jobs through Design your Degree program. Such reforms will empower the students to take ownership of their own career paths and make the changes they want in their careers rather than waiting to react to changes imposed on them, he added.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor felicitated the students who excelled in various competitions.
Prof. (Dr.) Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU presented the achievements of the University and gave an overview of the key initiatives taken by the university for the holistic development of the students.
Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj and other board members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; Babila Rakwal, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi; senior officials, faculty members of the university and students were present on the occasion.