UGC chairman lays foundation stones for CUK’s Watlar township, academic block
Ganderbal, Mar 1: Prof. D. P Singh, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), the umbrella body of higher educational institutions, Monday laid foundation stones for Watlar township at Watlar, Lar, and construction of G+1 academic block at the designated Tulmulla Campus here in the presence of Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar and senior varsity functionaries, both from the academics and faculty.
The Watlar township comprising hostels for boys and girls, Vice-Chancellor’s lodge, residential accommodation for teaching and administrative staff, health center, guest house, indoor stadium, community center, chowkidar/security quarters, is being constructed on the additional 95 Kanals of land, allotted by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, in addition to the already existing 5000 Kanals of land, given for the establishment of the university. The construction of G+1 academic block is being carried by the National Projects Construction Corporation. Prof. D. P Singh went to the Nunar, Tulumulla and Green Campuses of the university and visited the newly established Science and IT laboratories, classrooms and other facilities offered by the university to the students. He also held a detailed interaction with the students, faculty members and senior administrative staff of the Central University.
University of Kashmir, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of Departments, were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. D P Singh said that despite several odds and functioning from scattered campuses across the Ganderbal district, the university is marching ahead on the academics and research front. “The university has to give impetus to the infrastructure development and establish a full-fledged campus at the designated site,” Prof. D. P Singh said, adding the agencies executing agencies, undertaking different construction works should be held accountable for any inordinate delays in completion of the projects. He also called for construction of eco-friendly and student friendly campuses. Commenting on the New Education Policy-2020, Prof. D P Singh asked the university to constitute a task force of faculty members for its implementation in letter and spirit, adding that there were certain components in the NEP which the university could implement immediately. Prof. Singh laid emphasis on the research about the issues and matters confronted by the people, both locally and globally. “The budget for National Research Framework has already been approved for the integrated research at national level,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir apprised the visiting chairman about the university functioning since its inception in the year 2009. He said the university at present is offering 45 PG, UG, Diploma and Research programmes through Nine School of Studies and has completely shifted from the district Srinagar. Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir said that despite several constraints on the infrastructural front, the students of the university have brought laurels while participating in the events and competitions organised by other universities. He said that faculty members representing several states of the country are working in the university. Prof. Mehraj ud Din Mir said the university has till date adhered to the academic and examination calendar, despite the turmoil.
Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar also spoke on the occasion and gave a detailed account about the working of the university during the Covid-19 Pandemic. He said the university has successfully conducted the End Semester Examinations by holding the examinations at the doorsteps of the students. “The examination centres were established in almost all the districts of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, and the results of the students were declared within the stipulated time,” he said. Later, Prof. D P Singh inaugurated “e-office”, a web based smart office solution, transforming CUK into a digital, paperless and environment friendly working place, which handles end to end flow, movement of files between seats and offices. He also released two books titled “Security and Privacy in the Internet of Things” by Dr. Mohammad Ahsan Chishti, Dean-School of Engineering& Technology (CUK) and Syed Rameem Zahra and “Kashmir Darpan,” by Ms. Sakeena Akhter, Hindi Adhikari
