Varsity plans a big infrastructure and innovation push: Prof. Umesh Rai

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. Umesh Rai, interacted with senior members of the media today to discuss the university’s ongoing initiatives, accomplishments, and future plans.
The Vice-Chancellor was flanked by Prof. Meena Sharma, Dean Planning; Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Prof. Rahul Gupta, Registrar; Prof. Rajiv Rattan, Director, College Development Centre; Prof. Pankaj Srivastava, Director, Directorate of Distance and Online Education; Prof. J. P. S. Joorel; Prof. Naresh Padha and Prof Satnam Kour Raina, Chairperson, Utsaah, the Clubs, and Head, Department of Psychology.
During the interaction, Prof. Rai highlighted the university’s commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and student success.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasised the importance of fostering a collaborative learning environment and strengthening ties with industry partners.
In his address, he acknowledged the support rendered by Print & Electronic Media and further added that various capacity development programmes of the faculty are being organised, for which Rs 5 crore of financial support has been sanctioned by the UT Jammu & Kashmir Government and an additional Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for the implementation of NEP-2020.
The faculty of the ‘Design Your Degree’ programme shall also be given specialized training. Prof. Rai exuded that the university is going to give huge impetus to infrastructure development, and in this regard, work will soon start on a prestigious innovation tower, a huge parking space, and a state-of-the-art iconic main gate depicting Dogra culture.
The University has become the first varsity in the UT to offer a full-fledged Masters degree in English and Commerce through online mode, said Prof. Umesh Rai, adding that the university is going to organise a women’s JK Science Congress in the month of February, thereby defining the resolve that the university believes in Women’s empowerment through science and technology.
The Vice Chancellor further said that the university is organising a 3-day mega festival called “Goonj,” wherein universities of UT J&K and affiliated colleges of JU are going to participate and display their best practices in their respective institutions, as well as showcase dance, music, and sports.
The magic happens when elders and youth talk, and in this regard, the University is soon starting a programmeme with the aim of engaging youth with elders with the caption “Bajargon ke baat Yuvawo ke sath,” and the purpose is that elders through this programmeme pass down one’s life experience.
The elders will be requested to visit campus and engage with youth, and respectively youth will also go to villages and interact with the elders. These experiences will be well documented, and a documentary will also be prepared.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were Prof Arvind Jasrotia, Rector, Kathua Campus, Prof Prakash Antahal, Dean Students Welfare, Prof Alka Sharma, Director of SIIEDC, Prof S K Pandita, Director, MMTC, Prof Monika Sethi, Chairperson Campus Cultural Committee, Prof Sarika Manhas, Co-chairperson Campus Cultural Committee, Dr Garima Gupta, Head, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Dr Ginny Dogra, I/c Director, DIQA, and Ranjeet Kalra, teaching faculty.