Govt to establish two cluster universities: Naeem Akhter

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 3

The cluster university concept, first of its kind in India, will be introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir Government. It is aimed at giving an impetus to academics and research in the state.

A legislation in this respect will be brought in in the Budget session of the legislature, beginning January 18. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led Cabinet gave its go-ahead to this legislation on Wednesday.

With this Bill, two cluster universities will be established in Jammu and Kashmir, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, and five colleges each will be a part of the two universities.

In an interview with The Tribune, Minister for Education Naeem Akhter talked in length about the concept and how it would give a boost to higher education in the state.

What is a cluster university and how many varsities will be established in the state?

We are going to establish two cluster universities in the state, one each in Jammu and Srinagar. In Jammu city, Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, Government MAM College, Government SPMR College of Commerce, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, and Government College of Education, Canal Road, will be a part of the cluster university in Jammu. The GGM Science College will be the lead college. In Srinagar, Government Amar Singh College, SP College, Women’s College, MA Road, Government Degree College, Bemina, and College of Education will be a part of the cluster university in Srinagar. Government Amar Singh College will be the lead college.

From where will you get the funds and will you increase the staff strength?

This project will be a component of the Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to run a series of additional and novel courses in existing colleges with one college each in Srinagar and Jammu acting as the lead college. A grant for Rs 55 crore each has been provided under RUSA for development of additional infrastructure for these cluster universities. As far as staff strength is concerned, the state Cabinet has given its nod for creation of 124 posts in these universities.

How will these universities help in giving an impetus to education?

The concept will provide an opportunity to students to join higher education within the state instead of getting trapped in the hands of unrecognised institutes outside, which become problematic for them. It will augment existing higher education facilities and help in diversification of academics with the introduction of latest job intensive courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma levels. The government is committed to making education a round-the-clock affair and starting evening classes, which will help in expanding access to higher education by increasing the gross enrolment ratio. Life comes to a halt after evening, especially in Srinagar, and colleges have not given back society in the way they should have. The cluster university concept is a step towards giving an impetus to education.

What will be the role of Jammu University and Kashmir University as all colleges are a part of these two universities?

These universities will be independent entities with their own Acts and each will be headed by a Vice Chancellor. These colleges of Jammu and Srinagar will break away from Jammu University and Kashmir University. Other colleges will continue to be a part of Jammu University or Kashmir University. Government College for Women, Parade, Jammu, and Islamia College, Srinagar, are already working as independent colleges and will not be a part of cluster universities.

Who will govern these cluster universities?

Being independent entities, these universities will be administered by an establishment comprising the Chancellor, Pro Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Financial Adviser, Educational Adviser, Registrar and Controller of Examinations.

What courses will these universities run?

Each cluster university will offer postgraduate and diploma courses in social sciences, liberal arts, humanities, engineering, science, teacher education, languages, entrepreneurship development, management and other job intensive courses. In this way, cluster universities will improve the quality of state universities and colleges and enhance capacity to become dynamic, demand driven and quality conscious.