Srinagar, Sep 8: Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have stressed the need for critically examining the employability aspects while considering the upgradation of any existing course or proposing the introduction of any new course. They added that high priority needs to be accorded to those courses which have higher employment potential in the existing and emerging job market scenario.
 The Governor and the Chief Minister were addressing the University Council meeting of the Kashmir University at Raj Bhavan here today.
 The Governor, who was chairing the Council meeting as Chancellor of the University, observed that the Universities must devote attention towards arranging Campus placements of the students and early upgrade their Placement Cells for securing the largest possible number of placements.
 He added that, to secure this objective, the standard of teaching and research would require to be continuously upgraded for bringing out high quality scholars.
 “We need to create centres of excellence in our main Campuses as well as at the satellite Campuses and keeping a close watch on the emerging job opportunities within the country and abroad,” he stressed.
 The Governor also laid emphasis on engendering greater linkages between the Universities and the colleges and schools so that the issue of deficiency of well qualified faculty in various subjects at the college and University levels could be progressively addressed by encouraging the brighter students to pursue higher studies and research, particularly in respect of those subjects in which there is a shortage of teachers.
 Referring to the development of infrastructure in the existing Campuses of the Universities and the upcoming satellite Campuses, the Governor observed that a well considered Master Plan should be drawn up for judicious use of land to obtain maximum benefits from the available resources.
 The Chief Minister said that there is urgent need for taking all required measures for ensuring the highest standards of teaching and research so that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are equipped to compete successfully with the best in the national and international job markets.
 The Chief Minister stressed that there should be adequate provisions for use of solar energy and rain water harvesting in all the upcoming buildings in the University.      
 Abdul Gani Malik, Minister for Higher Education, speaking on the occasion, put forth several suggestions to improve the quality of higher education in the State. This, he said, is imperative to equip our boys and girls with the required knowledge to compete in the job market.
 Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, in his comprehensive power point presentation, dwelt on the status of various research projects, achievements of the University in varied fields, status of the establishment of new satellite Campuses, new courses being introduced and various initiatives taken for developing the University as a centre of excellence.
 The meeting was attended by other members of the University Council, including R. P. Aggarwal, formerly Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, Prof. Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu and Tanveer Jehan Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education. Besides, R. K. Goyal, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Ravi Magotra, Director General Budget, and Prof. Syed Fayyaz Ahmad, Registrar, University of Kashmir, were also present.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST