SEP 11, 2020 SRINAGAR: Terming education as the guiding force behind human development, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today stressed that Universities must empower youth to make J&K the center of knowledge, enterprise, innovation, and skill development through New Education Policy-2020 so that they play their crucial part in nation-building. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chancellor of the University of Jammu, made these remarks while chairing the 86th meeting of the University Council of the Jammu University here at Raj Bhavan. A host of major decisions were taken in the meeting. The Lt Governor gave a go-ahead to the demand of increasing the stipend of research scholars from Rs 5000 to Rs 10000 per month. The council also accorded in-principle approval for setting up of Research Cluster in Jammu University. Directions were issued by the Lt Governor to work out the modalities and take steps for the promotion of Dogri language in Jammu University and Kashmiri language in Kashmir University. He further stressed that literary works in the two languages be encouraged and translations of the existing works in other languages of the country also be initiated for the promotion of the culture, traditions, and heritage of Jammu & Kashmir. The Lt Governor passed explicit directions for conducting a comprehensive assessment of university’s research activities for outlining their role in the overall welfare of society. He also called for the promotion of research aimed at solving local problems of UT and encouraging scholars for the same. Underlining the importance of all overall development of students, the Lt Governor called for increased participation of students in co-curricular activities like NSS, NCC, sports, music, etc. The Lt Governor stressed that Students should be encouraged to participate in social activities. Discussing the issue of reservation, the Lt Governor directed that modality for extending UT reservation policy in all universities across J&K be finalized in mission mode. While reviewing the working and curriculum of the Universities, the Lt Governor asked the VCs to put added efforts and work in tandem for promoting excellence in teaching, research, and extension activities. He advised the University authorities to boost academic research by the uplifting necessary environment, updating e-learning and other teaching tools, and providing the students with the best educational resources and platforms, besides upgrading infrastructural facilities in the universities. Highlighting the need for research and incubation centers for the Universities, the Lt Governor underscored that higher education without them is incomplete. The Lt Governor reiterated that education should act as the biggest catalyst for change. When education is the guiding force behind human development, humans are no longer limited to a ‘resource’. They become ‘assets’ for society. The Lt Governor hailed the New Education Policy and said that it will empower the youth towards nation-building. Under the policy, he said, critical thinking shall be encouraged in addition to the development of skills and hands-on-learning. A special focus has been given to accessibility, equality, quality, affordability, and accountability in the education sector, he added. The Lt Governor observed that the best methods of teaching should be adopted along with the regular capacity building of teaching faculties of the university campuses. The Lt Governor laid stress on developing a curriculum based on students’ feedback. He said that students’ feedback processing is a globally accepted practice and it helps lend a different perspective to the existing pedagogy. Present in the meeting were K.K Sharma, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor; Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar, Vice-Chancellor, Jammu University, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University; Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner Finance Department (Financial Advisor to Universities); Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, M. Raju, Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department; Talat Parvez Rohella, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Prof. Vibhakar Mansotra, Dean Faculty of Mathematical Sciences; Prof. Renu Nanda, Dean Faculty of Education; Dr. Neetu Andotra Registrar; Prof. Vinayshil Gautam, Chancellor’s Nominee; Prof. R.P. Tandon Chancellor’s Nominee; Dr. Rakesh Jasrotia President (CTA) Jammu Wing; Prof. Subash Sharma, Principal GDC Udhampur (Boys).
