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| Azad favours greater university-society interface | | Suggests teacher, student exchange with other universities | | Early Times Reporter
Srinagar | May 14
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Tuesday highlighted the need for greater interface between Kashmir University and the society and exchange of teachers and students with other universities, even as he desired the institution to catch up with the outside world in terms of research and scholarship.
Azad was talking with a group of Kashmir University professors led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Riyaz Punjabi here last evening. The teachers discussed with him academic scenario at the Valley's highest educational institution and measures to improve it.
The Chief Minister, who is also the Pro-Chancellor and alumnus of the University, felt that there was a certain level of disconnect between the University and the society that need to be removed. He said scholars could not pursue their academic activities oblivious of the society and interface between the two was imperative. He said the State's oldest university was once the hub of cultural activities, besides a place of serious academic pursuits and desired the scenario to be revived. He said the vibrant academic atmosphere in the university had been disturbed by long turmoil and expressed satisfaction that things were changing for the better now.
Appreciating the improved academic scenario in the university, the Chief Minister said ‘he wanted to see it catching up with the outside world in terms of research and scholarship’. He said excellence in these areas was very important for the forward movement of a society. He said there was no dearth of talent in the society. The need, he added, was to properly harness and channellizing it and asked the university teachers to rise to the occasion. He hoped that the new VC would be able to take the institution to academic heights and assured him of his fullest support to make it a model university.
The Chief Minister suggested exchange of students and teachers with other universities in and outside the country. He said this would lead to sharing of knowledge and information and broaden their horizons. He felt that, to begin with, such exchanges could be explored with the universities of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in central Asia which shared cultural similarities with Kashmir. He said exchanges like these were in the pipeline with Pakistan as part of the peace and reconciliation process but the internal developments in that country did not allow any forward movement on this subject as on the entire dialogue process. He, however, hoped that the threads would be picked up again soon to make headway.
Prof. Riyaz Punjabi briefed the Chief Minister about the academic activities in the university and assured him that his dream of making the institution a seat of excellence would be realized. He said the faculty was seriously engaged in improving the academic standard which in several cases was higher than the national average. He said no effort was spared to reach the global standards. He said the university looked up to the Chief Minister for guidance in achieving this objective.
During the interaction, among other things, the next convocation, holding of state eligibility test by Kashmir University, university council meeting and on- campus placement interviews for students were discussed. |
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