Efforts on to ensure full-fledged campus for cluster varsity: VC

Vikas Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 23

Maintaining that the Cluster University of Jammu is still in transition, Vice Chancellor Prof Anju Bhasin has said the university is taking appropriate measures to promote innovations in teaching-learning process besides focusing on inter-disciplinary studies and research.

In an interview with The Tribune, the Cluster University of Jammu Vice Chancellor threw light on the current initiatives and future plans for the institution. Excerpts:

Q: Is any major initiative taken to start job-oriented and vocational courses to meet the growing market demands?

A: The university is still in its infancy, but is trying its level best to focus on introduction of skill development courses. Our sole motive is to establish linkages with the industry for promotion of science, technology, entrepreneurial skills, innovation, etc, besides adopting innovative methods to achieve the status of a self-reliant institution. In fact, we are planning to start evening classes to offer diploma/degree courses in finance, language, accountancy, etc.

Q: What is the enrolment status? Has it witnessed any rise over the last two years?

A: There has been an increase in the enrolment in constituent colleges. As per the data available for the last 2 years, the enrolment of students in the constituent colleges is around 16,000. But the admission of students more than the intake capacity is an issue which we are trying to sort out at the earliest.

Q: Reports suggest the university lacks major infra facilities.

A: In terms of infrastructure, the varsity still has a long way to go. The administrative block was inaugurated this year but before that the varsity was functioning from temporary campuses. To run academic affairs in a smooth manner, there is a requirement of adequate infrastructural facilities for any institution.

The authorities have already been apprised of the staff requirement at different levels in the Cluster University of Jammu. Efforts are also on ensure a full-fledged campus for the varsity where all departments will function under one roof.

Q: What are the major student-friendly initiatives undertaken by the university since its inception?

A: A new initiative has been undertaken by the varsity wherein every constituent college will have infrastructure for different sports activities. For example, at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, we are planning to construct an athletic field, while in another college, some other sports infrastructure will be developed.

Just like “Display Your Talent” organised at the University of Jammu every year, we also conducted an event titled ‘Yuv Tarang-2018’. It will now be an annual programme for co-curricular activities. Besides, students of the constituent colleges are also participating in several inter-varsity sports/cultural events thereby getting the much-needed exposure.

Q: What are the major future plans for the university?

A: The development of research labs, expansion of the varsity and introduction of more five-year integrated courses in different streams are among the top priorities. In fact, a course in journalism and mass communication is also being considered but it all depends on the available infrastructure. I am hopeful of implementing our plans.