The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Despite being properties of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, the control of two important universities of J&K is still with the government.

Waqf Board has repeatedly reiterated that both these universities and their affiliated colleges are their properties and they will take control of them, but to date, both universities are being fully controlled and regulated by the government.

These two universities in question are the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) at Awantipora and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (BGSB) University in Rajouri.

Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, as per the news agency KNT, came into existence by an Act of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly called the Jammu & Kashmir Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Act No. XVI of 2002.

The University is nurtured by the Jammu & Kashmir Waqf Council. Land and all other assistance for its creation were offered by the Waqf Board.

Data reveals that over 200-250 kanals of land on which IUST has been set up was donated by the Waqf Board. Besides land, Waqf also donated Rs 44 crore for the creation of this university at Awantipora.

Ironically, the government kept both universities out of the control of the J&K Waqf Board.

In response to a question under the Right to Information Act about the control of these two universities, the Waqf has maintained silence.

An official from the Waqf Board on condition of anonymity said that both these universities are Waqf properties but for reasons better known to the then J&K Government, the Waqf Board was kept out and even it has no representation in both the boards of these universities. He, however, said that sooner or later, Waqf will take control of these universities.

PULWAMA — Students from the Food Technology Department of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora have bagged internships from reputed MNCs including ITC, NESTLE, Mondelez International, Pepsico, Cococola, Shreiber and others.

"With a focus on experiential learning, the interning students shall gain first-hand experience of working in the food industry," a spokesman of IUST said in a statement issued here.

The statement added that industry internships are aimed at helping students imbibe the entrepreneurial spirit and inspire them to set up their own ventures.

Dr Aamir Hussain Dar, Coordinator of Industry Connect at IUST, said that industry internships form part of the course structure to enable students to learn the practical and application aspects of their course. He said the university extended internships for students to better their chances of placement.

PULWAMA — Shri Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), will preside over the university's third convocation on July 25, 2024.

Prof. Anil Kakodkar, a distinguished nuclear scientist and recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, will be the chief guest and deliver the convocation address. Prof. Kakodkar has held key positions including Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy.

Sh. R. R. Bhatnagar, Advisor to the LG J&K, and Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman of the J&K Higher Education Commission, will be the Guests of Honour.

Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor of IUST, will present the university report. The convocation will see over a thousand graduating students receiving degrees, including 27 gold medallists, 53 merit holders, and 19 doctorates.

Prof. Romshoo emphasized that the convocation is an important occasion to honour the graduates and marks a journey of excellence in research, academics, and outreach. He reiterated IUST's commitment to providing quality education and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, innovative approach, and strong values among its students.

PULWAMA — Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo has been granted a two-year extension in his term as Vice Chancellor by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

Prof Romshoo was appointed as Vice Chancellor of IUST in 2021 as the fourth Vice-Chancellor and the order issued by Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat on July 8 states that the extension shall be effective from August 15, 2024 when his first term completes.

The University under the leadership of Professor Romshoo has achieved remarkable milestones, particularly with regard to the implementation of NEP 2020, fostering a research-oriented and student-centric educational environment, promoting interdisciplinary research, encouraging entrepreneurship and start-up culture, strengthening industry-academia collaborations besides prioritizing upgradation of the university's infrastructure.

Professor Romshoo, having served as Dean of Research at the University is an eminent academic and distinguished researcher, with an illustrious career spanning over 35 years. His extensive research in the field of Earth Sciences, particularly focusing on climate change, water resources, and glaciology, has earned him national and international recognition.

Prof Romshoo also espouses social and environmental causes engaging actively in community outreach programs particularly related to climate change impacts, disaster management, and sustainable development in the Kashmir region.

The IUST community congratulated Prof Romshoo and expressed confidence that the university will further its mission of providing quality education, advancing research, and contributing to the socio-economic development of the region under his leadership.