Srinagar, June 15:  University of Kashmir is all set to lay foundation stones of its satellite campuses at Leh and Kargil on June 18 and June 19 respectively. 
 A KU spokesman said the Governor NN Vohra, who is also the varsity’s Chancellor, will lay the foundation stone of Leh Campus at Tharuthang on June 18 in presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora, besides other dignitaries of the state and University administration. “The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is also the varsity’s Pro-Chancellor, will lay the foundation stone of Kargil Campus at Khumbathang, Saliskote on June 19 in presence of Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for CA&PD Qamar Ali Akhoon besides other dignitaries of the state,” the spokesman said.
 The KU Registrar Prof S Fayaz Ahmad said: “The University administration after realizing the constraints of students of remote regions of the state to pursue higher education initiated the process of developing Satellite/New Campuses in remote locations of the state with the mission to provide avenues of higher education to students there.”
 He said: “The KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad is keen that the University should reach to unreached segments of the state through its satellite campuses.” “Accordingly the process of establishing University Campuses at Leh and Kargil was initiated in 2008 after thorough deliberations at various levels of the Government and University,” he said. “The decision to establish these campuses was taken by the University Council in meetings from 2009 owing to peculiar geo-climatic conditions and geographical isolation of these regions.”
 Pertinently the state land measuring 819 kanals and 7 marlas at Taruthang, Leh and 600 kanals 8 marlas at Khumbathang, Saliskote, Kargil were identified during a joint visit of the University and district officials in July 2011. Subsequently, the land at both the sites was transferred to the University for the establishment of Leh and Kargil campuses.
  The University has proposed to the UGC to start a diverse number of disciplines at the two campuses. At the Leh campus, Sociology, Education, Tourism, Buddhist Studies, Information Technology and Earth Sciences would be taught whereas English, Hotel Management, Arabic, Information Technology, Earth Sciences and Urdu would be taught at Kargil Campus.
 “Since this is one of the unique and mega events of the Kashmir University,  top brass of the administration and academics including Registrar, Dean Academic Affairs, Dean Colleges,  Director DIQA, some members of the engineering  wing, estates, development will be reaching Leh and Kargil on Friday and Saturday to look after the arrangements . They will also be interacting with Chancellor and Pro Chancellor of the University of Kashmir and spell out the vision of the University for the two campuses,” the spokesman said.
 Meanwhile, a KU spokesman clarified that the University feels that “since this is a big, unique and a mega event in the history of Kashmir University and needs arrangements in advance for putting logistics in place and holding consultations with the  district administration of  Leh  and Kargil, Dean Academics, DCDC and Director DIQA will reach there to spell out KUs vision on academics before  the chancellor , pro chancellor and the Vice- Chancellor.”
 “Since DCDC and DAA are out of the state already so they will prefer to come by air from Delhi to Leh to save time and money.  We feel registrar, being the administrative head, needs to be there present including the members of engineering wing,” the spokesman said. “DSW is not going to Leh at all. She will be as usual available with the students.  In fact the rest of the top level university administration is staying back in the university for attending day today tasks.”
 He said: “The total number of vehicles sent to Leh, Kargil is four in total which includes that of the vice- chancellor. The vehicles will be used by the officials during the four days and they will drop the members back home to Srinagar.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST