Committed to enhancing quality of higher education, research: Education Minister

Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakeena Masood said on Friday that the government is committed to enhance quality of higher education and research in UT universities.

Masood, who chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar in which she conducted comprehensive review of the performance and functioning of universities, also asked the university authorities to fix the issues and concerns which are hindering the admissions of foreign students in J&K universities, especially Kashmir University.

A spokesperson said during the meeting, the Minister took comprehensive assessment of several critical aspects of universities like infrastructure, faculty performance, student satisfaction, research output as well as the overall administrative framework.

In her remarks, Masood highlighted the importance of academic excellence and innovation in higher education sector.

“Our government is committed to enhance the quality of higher education and research in universities of J&K. We all need to work in tandem to achieve the goal of making our universities world class,” she said.

Urging the vice chancellors to prioritise academic rigor and improve curriculum design to ensure that students receive a high-quality education, Masood called for a closer alignment between university curriculum and industry needs, especially in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence, digital technology, healthcare, tourism and entrepreneurship in order to prepare students for the emerging job market.

The Minister while having university wise review, also called upon the vice chancellors to streamline “the process of admissions so that maximum students are attracted towards varsities.” She asked them to create awareness among the students, especially in far off areas using traditional media like radio, so that they can take desired courses in colleges and universities.

The Minister also asked the VCs to complete the works on all ongoing projects in their respective universities timely, so that they can be dedicated for the use of students.

She asked the VC of Kashmir University to operationalise the newly constructed girls hostel at the earliest and to maintain the offsite campuses of University so that the students are provided quality education.