Jammu, Dec 28 (JKNS): Emphasising innovation-driven education, employability and entrepreneurship as key pillars of higher learning, The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday approved major academic and administrative reforms in line with the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 to align higher education with regional and national development priorities.
Sinha on Sunday chaired the 3rd Meeting of the University Council of the Cluster University of Jammu, at Lok Bhavan, Jammu as per news agency JKNS.
The Lieutenant Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University, emphasised that higher education institutions must focus on innovation, employability and entrepreneurship, while ensuring that academic initiatives are aligned with the regional and national developmental needs. He advised the University to strengthen integrated and professional programmes to meet the emerging academic and industry demands.
The University Council, which met under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, accorded in-principle approval to several significant academic and administrative proposals. It reviewed and confirmed key reforms in line with the National Education Policy (NEP)–2020, including adoption of the new undergraduate curriculum framework, introduction of new academic programmes and revision of course structures to enhance flexibility and employability.
The Council approved the introduction of new programmes such as the Four-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), M.A. Education, Masters in Performing Arts, PG Geography and Cyber Security at the PG level, along with new minor, skill and value-added courses across constituent colleges. Student-centric measures such as award of additional credits for sports and cultural activities, revised credit norms for MOOCs and inclusive examination and admission policies were also confirmed.
The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the University’s reform initiatives and emphasized the need to strengthen academic quality, student welfare and institutional governance. He instructed the University to ensure implementation of the e-office system before the end of June, 2026 and to conduct the University Council meetings after every six months.
The Lieutenant Governor called for increased students’ participation in the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect programme. He also issued directions for encouraging active engagement of students in Nasha Mukt Bharat and Nasha Mukt J&K campaigns.
Prof. K. S. Chandrasekar, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, made a detailed presentation on the University’s administrative, academic, financial, examination and evaluation reforms, student enrolment status and various academic collaborations in research and education.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan; Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Mohammad Mobin; Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shri Shantmanu; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari; Provost, SGT University, Prof. Madan Mohan Chaturvedi; Registrar, Cluster University of Jammu, Ms. Ankur Mahajan, other Council members and senior officials. (JKNS)
