Kashmir University to sign MoU with Kazakh varsity

Srinagar, Oct 19 (UNI) The Kashmir University will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Kazakhstan varsity to promote Central Asian studies and start various exchange programmes.

The University would also sign a MoU with the British Council and has received a collaboration offer from the Ohio State University as well.

These developments were informed at a University Council meeting attended among others by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here.

The Governor exuded confidence that launch of academics in north and south campus of the Kashmir University would give new impetus to spread of higher education in remote areas of the state.

He said the mega infrastructure coming up expeditiously at both these places would go a long way in achieving the objectives.

Gen Sinha said post graduate courses in Leh will take care of that area and provide opportunities to the student community at their doorsteps. Endeavours were being made to give wider exposure to youth for meeting the challenges of 21st century, he added.

The Governor expressed satisfaction over the activation of Sheikh-ul-Alam chair and functioning of the Centre for Kashmir Studies to promote his much cherished concept of Kashmiryat.

He stressed the need for student-cum-faculty exchange programme to various Central and South Asian countries for better understanding and a MoU would soon be signed in this regard.

Referring to a recent international seminar on Central Asia, Gen Sinha said the Kashmir University was poised for extra curricular activities in a big way. The Governor also said he had broken the barriers between the Chancellor and the campus and had visited the Kashmir University several times.

He said a state-of-the-art convocation complex in the University was nearing completion and hoped that the coming convocation would be held in a grand way next year.

In his address, Mr Azad said all out efforts were being made to make the universities of Jammu and Kashmir as centres of academic excellence. While steps have been taken to expand the higher education to peripheral areas, efforts were on to build a suitable infrastructure for achieving the desired goals, he added.

The Chief Minister suggested opening of Jammu University campus in Poonch keeping in view its topography and distance from the winter capital city.

He said focused attention was being given to infrastructure and quality education to enable students to avail best possible facilities for pursuing their courses.

Giving details of activities, Kashmir University Vice Chancellor Prof Abdul Wahid said the varsity has embarked upon a massive academic and construction programme to achieve pinnacles of success.

Under the Innovative Academic Programme of the UGC, two new professional courses -- Masters in Clinical Biochemistry and Masters in Finance and Control -- have been introduced, he added.

Prof Wahid said the departments of Zoology and Persian have been covered under the Special Assistance Programme of the UGC.

As part of social responsibility, he said the university has set up coaching centres for national entrance test, state level entrance tests and civil services competitive examinations.

The prestigious Sheikh-ul-Alam Chair has been activated following the appointment of a full time Chairman, Prof Wahid added.

To enable students and scholars to make use of resources of other organisations, he said academic collaboration has been made with IGNOU, Delhi Policy Group, RRL Jammu and a MoU has been signed with the British Council of the British High Commission.

An offer has also been received for collaboration with Ohio State University, he said, adding the library and laboratories in the Kashmir University have been upgraded.

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