Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha presided over the 88th meeting of the University Council of the University of Jammu at Raj Bhawan, focusing on academic and administrative advancements.
Key Attendees
The meeting saw the participation of prominent figures, including:
- Sakina Itoo, Minister for Higher Education
- Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department
- Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor
- Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu
- Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Vice Chancellor, Lucknow University
- Prof. K.S. Chandrasekhar, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University Jammu
- Prof. AK Kaul, Former Professor, BHU Varanasi
- Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, Jammu University
Additionally, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary, Planning, Monitoring and Development Department; Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University; and Prof. Mohd Mohin, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar, joined virtually.
Deliberations and Approvals
The council discussed and approved several proposals, focusing on:
- Adoption of UGC guidelines and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provisions.
- Regular revision of curriculum and the introduction of new courses aligned with emerging global trends.
- Promoting local languages and cultural heritage of the region.
- Accelerating recruitment processes for teaching and non-teaching staff and addressing promotion-related matters under the Career Advancement Scheme.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need for:
- Streamlining the e-office system.
- Ensuring the timely completion of ongoing projects.
A Milestone Achievement
Council members congratulated the Vice Chancellor, faculty, and staff for earning the coveted A++ Grade from NAAC with a CGPA score of 3.72, making the University of Jammu the only A++ university in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
Discussions on Key Initiatives
The council reviewed and discussed:
- The success of the “Design Your Own Degree” undergraduate program.
- Recruitment processes and onboarding of sports experts for effective implementation of the university’s Sports Policy.
- A detailed credit framework for the “Design Your Degree” program.
Vice Chancellor’s Report
Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, presented a comprehensive report highlighting:
- The university’s focus on research, skill development, internships, and start-ups.
- Initiatives in experiential learning through major projects.
- Digital and environmentally friendly measures.
- Efforts toward promoting trans-disciplinary and holistic education.
Actionable Insights
The council was briefed on actions taken on directives issued during the previous meeting, ensuring accountability and progress in institutional goals.
The meeting reiterated its commitment to enhancing educational excellence, fostering innovation, and aligning with modern-day requirements to solidify Jammu University’s position as a leading academic institution.