KU approves 5-yr integrated courses in Hindi, Sanskrit

The Council of the University of Kashmir (KU) on Sunday approved proposals for the introduction of five-year Integrated Master’s Programmes (FYIMP) in Hindi, Linguistics and English Language Teaching, Persian, Sanskrit and Kashmiri.

The approvals were granted following proposals submitted by the respective Heads of Departments. The Council observed that the introduction of these programmes would promote multilingual education, cultural preservation and advanced studies in classical and regional languages.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 84th meeting of the University Council at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar. The Lieutenant Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University, emphasised the need to introduce contemporary, interdisciplinary and skill-oriented academic programmes in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

He stressed that the University must focus on innovation, employability and entrepreneurship, while ensuring that academic initiatives respond to local and regional developmental needs. The Chancellor also advised strengthening integrated and professional programmes to meet emerging academic and industry requirements.

The University Council accorded in-principle approval to several key academic and administrative agenda items, including the adoption of a revised policy mechanism for admission of foreign (international) students; the change of nomenclature of the Department of Earth Sciences to the Department of Geology; and the introduction of five-year Integrated Master’s Programmes in Applied Geology, Tourism and Travel Management, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Home Science.

The Council also approved the Programme Project Report (PPR) for MA History to be offered through the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE). It further approved the extension of Merit and Merit-cum-Means scholarship schemes to students enrolled in five-year integrated programmes.

Additionally, the Council approved regulations governing five-year integrated programmes, including FYIMP in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and deliberated on the recommendations of the Deans’ Committee regarding the adoption of statutes governing PhD programmes.

The Council also cleared proposals related to modifications in statutes governing Undergraduate Programmes (UGP-2022) with respect to degree nomenclature under NEP-2020, and approved the adoption of standardised formats for certificates, diplomas and degrees. Approval was also granted for the introduction of a two-year Diploma in Calligraphy as a joint academic programme between the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, KU, and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Srinagar.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan presented the agenda items before the Council for consideration and ratification, and briefed members on the University’s academic, research and institutional achievements.

Meanwhile, the University of Kashmir signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Siddharth University, Uttar Pradesh, to promote academic collaboration in research and education.