Jammu, Apr 23: Governor N. N. Vohra today called upon the Universities of the State to organize short-term vocational courses in Tourism and other potential disciplines to enhance the employability of the youth in travel trade and varied other employment intensive sectors.
 The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the Jammu University, was chairing the 72nd meeting of the University Council, at Raj Bhavan here this evening.
 The University Council authorized the Vice Chancellor of the Jammu University to take all remedial measures/actions within his competence on the recommendations of the Enquiry Committee (headed by the Chief Secretary) which had been constituted by the Chief Minister to look into the allegations of administrative impropriety, favouritism and financial irregularities against the previous Vice Chancellor and the officers of the University. The Vice Chancellor was also advised to ensure that the recommendations/observations of this Committee, which require special approvals, should be placed before the concerned bodies of the University on a time bound basis and the entire Report processed without any delay whatsoever.
 The Governor observed that with the revival and the promotion of tourism in the State the youth having pursued short-term certificate courses could find ready employment avenues. He said that the Universities could also think of organizing other such courses having potential in the emerging job market to benefit the youth of the State.
 Referring to the creation and upgradation of infrastructure facilities at the main Campus and the off-site Campuses, the Governor said that the construction of students hostels, particularly for girls, need to be given priority attention so that the students from remote areas could pursue their academic careers in large numbers. He underlined the need for micro-focusing on the growth of off-site Campuses for continually improving the quality of education to equip our youth to compete successfully in the emerging competitive scenario. He also stressed that all the newly coming up buildings must have adequate provision for use of solar energy, harvesting of rain water, fire safety measures and ramps to facilitate physically challenged persons.
 The Governor advised the Vice Chancellor to undertake visits to the affiliated Colleges to monitor the facilities and the performance of these institutions, adding that those of the Principals, teachers and the colleges showing outstanding performances could be awarded. Referring to the need for conducting academic audit of educational institutions, he said that such a mechanism can help in harmonious growth of all the institutions of higher learning. He suggested that the various Universities of the State could coordinate in regard to the functioning of their placement cells for the larger benefit of the youth of the State.
 Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, in his power point presentation, gave details of the academic and extra-curricular achievements of the University. He also dwelt on the efforts being made to improve the existing infrastructure and the initiatives taken in the fields of teaching, research and extension activities.
 The meeting discussed various agenda items in detail and took the required decisions. It also reviewed the action taken on the decisions of the earlier meetings of the University Council.
 The meeting among others was attended by Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Prof. Vinayshil Gautam; Prof. R. P. Tandon; M. I. Khandey, Principal Secretary, Finance; Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Tanveer Jehan, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, and Prof. Naresh Padha, Registrar, University of Jammu.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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