LG calls for introducing contemporary, skill oriented academic programmes aligned with NEP-2020

By statetimes_editor Last updated Dec 15, 2025

Chairs 84th University Council meeting of KU

STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 84th Meeting of the University Council of the University of Kashmir (KU) at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar, on Sunday. As the Chancellor of the University, he emphasized the importance of introducing contemporary, interdisciplinary, and skill-oriented academic programmes aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP-2020). He highlighted the need for the University to focus on innovation, employability, and entrepreneurship, ensuring that academic initiatives address local and regional developmental needs. The Chancellor also advised strengthening integrated and professional programmes to meet emerging academic and industry requirements.

KU and Siddharth University, Uttar Pradesh representatives signing MoU in presence of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.

The University Council accorded in-principle approval to several key academic and administrative agenda items. These included the adoption of a revised Policy Mechanism for Admission of Foreign National (International) Students, the change of nomenclature of the Department of Earth Sciences to the Department of Geology, and the introduction of Five-Year Integrated Master’s Programmes (FYIMP) in Applied Geology, Tourism and Travel Management, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Home Science. The Council also approved the Programme Project Report (PPR) for M.A. History to be offered through the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), and extended Merit and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship schemes to students enrolled in FYIMP courses. Additionally, the Council approved regulations governing FYIMP programmes, including Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and considered recommendations of the Deans’ Committee regarding Ph.D. statutes.
Proposals relating to modifications in statutes for Undergraduate Programmes (UGP-2022) under NEP-2020 were also approved, including standardized formats for certificates, diplomas, and degrees. A two-year Diploma in Calligraphy was sanctioned as a joint academic programme between the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, KU, and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, Srinagar. The Council further accorded approval to several other academic initiatives, including the establishment of an Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Sciences at KU’s Kupwara Campus, introduction of a Diploma Programme in Criminal Justice through CDOE, and the launch of FYIMP at the Media Education Research Centre (MERC). FYIMP programmes were also approved in several language and humanities disciplines, including Hindi, Linguistics and English Language Teaching, Persian, Sanskrit, and Kashmiri, aimed at promoting multilingual education, cultural preservation, and advanced studies in classical and regional languages.
The Council engaged in detailed deliberations on academic, regulatory, and institutional matters to strengthen governance and enhance teaching, learning, and research quality. Earlier, Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice-Chancellor, KU, presented the agenda items and briefed the Council on the University’s academic, research, and institutional achievements. On the occasion, KU signed a MoU with Siddharth University, Uttar Pradesh, to promote academic collaboration in research and education. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Vice-Chancellors of Jammu University and Cluster Universities, senior government officials, Council members, and other dignitaries both in person and virtually. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah; Vice-Chancellor, JU. Prof. Umesh Rai; VC Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Mohammad Mobin; VC, Cluster University of Jammu, Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar; Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Santosh D. Vaidya; Principal Secretary to the LG, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari; Administrative Secretary, Planning Development & Monitoring Department, Dr. Ashish Chander; VC, Siddharth University, Uttar Pradesh, Prof. Kavita Shah; former Director and Professor (Chemical Engineering), Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi, Prof. A.S.K. Sinha; Registrar KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal; Dean, School of Business Studies KU, Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad Darzi, other Council members attended the meeting.
.