Kashmir varsity VC, Guv discuss academic issues

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 8

Dr Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi, Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Kashmir, called on Governor NN Vohra, Chancellor of the university, at Raj Bhawan here today.

Besides briefing the Governor about the examination schedules of the undergraduate courses, the VC informed that based on the performance in the first phase of the Special Assistance Programme-University Grants Commission (UGC), the Department of Biotechnology had earned the second phase support of Rs 1.30 crore. Moreover, the VC had earned a personal research grant of Rs 1 crore underthe SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) programme.

Dr Andrabi added that Dr Aejaz A Wani, a Ramanujan Fellow of the Department of Biotechnology, has earned a prestigious DBT international grant of Rs 3 crore and Dr Manzoor A Shah from the Department of Botany has won an Indo-US project worth Rs 1.25 crore.

It is pertinent to mention that earlier this year, the university had earned extramural support of Rs 5 crore under the Centre with Potential of Excellence in a Particular Area (CPEPA).

While complimenting the VC and his colleagues for securing valuable research grants and proceeding apace in the arena of research, the Governor reiterated the vital importance of ensuring sustained focus on the conduct of regular studies, timely completion of courses and examinations and every possible step being taken to enable the students to make up for the enormous learning time they have lost since July this year.

Regarding the pace of infrastructural development, the VC informed that works worth over Rs 31 crore had already been contracted out for the renovation of 12 labs, main administration block, gym-cum-hostel, lab building and law faculty. The Governor advised the VC to keep a special watch on the quality of materials used and timely completion of the construction work.