The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The University of Kashmir and Central University of Kashmir on Wednesday postponed all exams that were scheduled to be held on March 7.

According to the news agency KNO, Assistant Controller of Examinations of KU said that all the examinations of the university which are scheduled to be held on March 7, 2024 stand postponed. It said that the fresh dates shall be issued soon.

Meanwhile, CUK in a communique said, “The examinations scheduled for March 7, 2024 postponed. The date for the examinations shall be notified separately.”

SRINAGAR — The students enrolled in the Master of Education (M.Ed) degree course at the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) have appealed to the varsity authorities to issue them Identity Cards.

As per the aggrieved students of M.Ed 3rd Semester, the university has denied them I-Cards since they took admission and their session commenced in April 2021.

A student, who wished not to be named, said, "The university authorities gave us a paper on which our details were mentioned along with our photograph in the 2nd Semester, but after that, we didn't receive any official I-Card."

"It is an irony to realize that our degree is likely to be completed in December this year and we have been consistently denied the university I-Cards. Earlier, they blamed the pandemic for the delay in issuance of the same but now, it is also an invalid reason as the situation has improved drastically," another student said, who also wished for anonymity.

When asked whether the students were facing any issues due to the non-issuance of the I-Cards, the students said that they usually reach their homes late in the evening and sometimes have to pass through checkpoints, where they fail to prove their identity of being the students of the varsity.

It is in place to mention here that when we reached out to the university's public relations officer (PRO) Mr Arshad Meraj, he noted the complaint of the students and assured us that he'll get the issue sorted out as soon as possible.

He said, "The university had given orders for the I-Cards through Government e-Marketplace (Gem Portal) long back but there were quality issues. Now, we have given fresh guidelines to the Gem Portal vendor company, which is from Rajasthan. Hopefully, the I-Cards of these students will reach us soon."

SRINAGAR — With an aim to reform the educational ecosystem and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the largest single addition of education capacity in 70 years was done with the addition of new 25000 seats in 50 new colleges in one year only.

The present administration under Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha is creating one of the best infrastructures for higher education in the country. “Two colleges of architecture and one engineering college were also established. IIT and IIM were established in record time,” official documents said.

The government is bringing reforms for the transformation of the education ecosystem by bridging the gaps and openings up opportunities for the younger generation. The focus of the Government has been value-based education; creating an environment for individual growth apart from scientific and technological knowledge.

“We are working to create a perfect balance between students and teachers for shaping the young minds through a value-based knowledge system,” an official of the School Education Department said.

Speaking at a book launch of “Analysis of Accreditation Reports of Union Territories - Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh” by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) during a function organised by NAAC in collaboration with the Central University of Kashmir (CUK), Lieutenant Governor (LG), Manoj Sinha said that the Universities and Colleges have immense power and a small shift in the curriculum can have a decisive impact on the socio-economic environment.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that the world is heading towards an era that will be dominated by the knowledge economy, our biggest asset would be the human capital, a combination of talent, skill, and creativity.

“Our biggest and strongest asset has to be the human capital, a combination of talent, skill, and creativity,” Manoj Sinha, said. “The UT government is consistently reforming the educational system with new tools to produce required skill sets.”

The education sector in UT is being reformed to meet the requirements of the rapidly transforming education system and the changing market dynamics. The shift in the curriculum at universities and colleges can have a decisive impact on the socio-economic environment of J&K.

An official said that efforts are continuing to improve the courses in universities and colleges to create a conducive environment for learning and innovation with the aim to empower every student with technical and social skills to develop entrepreneurial thinking.

Highlighting the need to introduce new reforms to meet the requirements of the rapidly transforming education system and the changing market dynamics, the Lieutenant Governor said, “The universities and colleges have immense power and a small shift in the curriculum can have a decisive impact on the socio-economic environment.”

With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, more than 2500 kindergartens were established and another 2000 are being established under Capex Budget. 80,000 students are already enrolled in pre-pre-primary classes in 9000 government primary schools.

According to statistics of the Education department, 9643 government schools from 6th to 8th classes were mapped with adjoining high and higher secondary schools for providing basic skills on vocational courses taught in 803 vocational labs. Every teacher will mentor 10 students in primary classes under the Student-Teacher Mentorship initiative launched in J&K with a focus on Foundation and Numerical Literacy.

SRINAGAR — J&K and Ladakh High Court on Thursday asked Superintendent of Central Jail, Kotbalwal Jammu to "explore possibilities for making necessary arrangements" for examination of journalist Sajad Ahmad Dar.

In the application, Dar through his counsel N A Ronga had urged the court to direct jail authorities to make necessary arrangements for facilitating his appearance in the 3rd Semester MACJ (MA Communication and Journalism) examination to be conducted by the Central University of Kashmir. The examination is beginning on Friday (March 4).

“The instant application is disposed of with a direction to the Superintendent of Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu to explore the possibilities of making necessary arrangements for petitioner’s (Dar’s) examination,” a bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar said as per GNS.

"Copy of this order be sent to Superintendent of Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu for information and compliance,” the court added.

Dar was arrested from Bandipora district in January this year for allegedly “engaging in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and unity of India.”