Professor Akbar Masood has a vast experience in the field of Science. He has served in various reputed institutions across the nation in various capacities. In December 1999, he established a Bioinformatics Centre at the University of Kashmir, with the financial support from Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India which became functional in August 2000. 

Currently serving as a Vice Chancellor of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, he has, to his credit, more than 225 journals published in reputed national and international journals. 

In conversation with Rising Kashmir’s Feature writer Insha Latief Khan, Prof. Akbar Masood talks about the various aspects of university and the reforms that were made under his supervision. 

Tell us about the University and how it has emerged over the years?

Established by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir through J&K Assembly Act, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah BGSBU is mandated to impart quality education in Science, Engineering and Technology, Management, Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities and Nursing and undertake research in basic and job oriented courses. 

BGSBU, over the years, has emerged as popular academic destination for the students of J&K and created its own distinctive niche for academic pursuits in this hinterland. After achieving many milestones in recent years, it now looks forward to sustained future development to occupy the coveted position amongst the national Institutions in general and those of J&K institutions in particular. 

What recent changes have been brought in the university?

Since my appointed, it has been a year of progress and great individual and collective achievements. During the last one year the BGSBU has initiated significant academic and administrative reforms in line with National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 to promote the goals of equity, access and excellence. New infrastructure projects have been approved which will add new facilities, augment the existing ones and will give a tremendous boost in making BGSBU as a favoured destination for high quality academic attainments.  

I have initiated many critical reforms including massive reduction in fee structure up to 50% in some courses, granted 50% tuition fee waiver to all its Class-IV employees’ wards admitted in BGSBU to facilitate the fulfilment of education ambitions of the financially weaker section.

To streamline departments, Coordinators were appointed for independent Departments such as Urdu, Islamic Studies, Civil Engineering and Biotechnology. 

Besides, we also evolved Grievances Redressal System for timely disposal of student’s grievances through concerned University offices. 

What courses are being offered in the university? What new courses will be included in the coming time? 

At present university is offering eighteen postgraduate programmes, four undergraduate courses and six diploma programmes. Besides, the University offers B.Tech and lateral entry into B.Tech in Civil Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology Engineering and Computer Science Engineering.  

University through its polytechnic college offers three year diploma engineering and lateral entry into diploma engineering courses in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering and Electrical Engineering.

The University offers a four year B.Sc. nursing programme in three colleges of the University established at BGSBU Campus Rajouri, Jammu and Kishtwar.  Also, we have decided to start three PG programmes from the forthcoming academic session including MA Persian, MA Hindi and MA Gojri & Pahari.

When it comes to research, what are the areas where the research is going on in the university?

Research is the hallmark of any University. At present, the University offers fulltime Ph.D. programme in all the major subjects. During the last one year the university has got 21 Extramural Projects worth Rs.5.27 crores which is a significant achievement by any University of BGSBU magnitude. 

It is noteworthy that the BGSBU is the only institution amongst all the J&K institutions to have been sanctioned the prestigious FIST Grant by the Department of Science & technology, Government of India. Also, BGSBU is the only non-clinical institution to have been sanctioned a Network Mission Project on ‘Paediatrics Rare Disorders’ where the institution’s own share of grant is to the tune of 1.11 crores.

The academic worth of any academic institution is gauged by the number of publications in reputed journals. It is a matter of pride that during the last one year the faculty of BGSBU has published a total of 429 research papers in high impact factor journals, often as high as 17 impact factor including 03 Books and 14 Book Chapters.

How was the placement in the past 5 years?

BGSBU has a special focus on quality placement and expansion of scope and opportunities for students enrolled in the university. We have a full-fledged Placement cell in our university with a placement officer and paraphernalia, which coordinates with placement coordinators in each department of studies. University is making concerted efforts to hire the services of competent professionals to boost the placement drive of the institution. Recently, 11 of our students have been recruited by a single recruitment agency with a reasonably good pay package. As a matter of pride, the University achieved 100% placement for the 1st batch of B.Sc. Nursing students.

What initiatives are being taken for the development of the student, faculty or the community?

At BGSBU, we are continuously working to produce Industry-ready graduates who not only find ample employment opportunities for themselves but contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. We have established a University Cultural and Literary Club to provide a platform to our multi talented youth to explore their potential in diverse fields of life. 

Academia-Industry interface is an important area wherein we are continuously inviting eminent personalities from Industry to interact with our students and faculty.  The University has very recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ICT Academy that shall encompass Students Training and Placement, Faculty Development, Skill Development, Joint Research and Publications, Entrepreneurship Development, Digital Empowerment and a strong Industry Academia Interface. We are looking forward to many such collaborations that will help in fostering the ecosystem of professional development of students toward nurturing life-ready and job-ready graduates. 

During the last one year BGSBU has the unique distinction of organising a maximum number of webinars to the tune of 110 encompassing various disciplines of Sciences, Social-Sciences, Arts, Languages and Engineering inviting eminent speakers from all over the globe. This has given a wider visibility of the institution all across the country and abroad.   In addition, the University has conducted 8 Workshops and 5 FDPs in a hybrid mode.

At BGSBU, we have initiated many community outreach programmes. Under DBT supported research project about 200 local rural women belonging to schedule caste and scheduled tribe communities of Dhanore village have been given training in Vermi composting, Mushroom cultivation, floriculture and medicinal & aromatic plant cultivation for exchange of knowledge and overall social/economic betterment. We are actively engaged with neighbourhood communities in the environmental education and conservation of regional biodiversity. 

Recently the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, GOI has sanctioned four NSS units for BGSBU. This will provide an opportunity to the young men and women to participate in various social initiatives. Also, under Azadi ka Amrit Mahautsav celebrations, the Students and scholars of the University have been participating in various events conducted by the University for the larger benefits of the community.  

What facilities are being provided to students as well as teachers?

We at BGSBU are continuously trying to upgrade the facilities being provided to students and faculty. The University has been encouraging the regular sports activities such as Inter and Intra Hostel tournaments in various games. Recently, our Volleyball team participated in an inter University tournament at Kurukshetra University. The sportsmen are provided with facilities like sports kits and uniforms.

Recently, the University has established Yoga Centre for girls and has augmented the infrastructure of the existing fitness centre such as providing motorized treadmills, provisions of new indoor games facilities. There was long felt need to have the children park / playground for the children of the staff which so far was woefully lacking. The University has, therefore, established a well-equipped children park with all its amenities to provide this much needed playground for the children. 

The University has a health centre which offers 24 hours medical care and facilities to its students and staff and even to the people of neighbouring areas. In order to further strengthen the existing facilities, the university has made an allocation of Rs. 50,000 on recurring basis for the procurement of all essential and lifesaving medicines. Efforts are also on to procure the Auto Analysers for the instant testing for various health parameters such as CBC, RFT, LFT and TROP-I testing etc.

What are your future plans for the university?

I strongly believe that no academic excellence is achieved without a well-crafted road-map. Soon after joining BGSBU,  the University has envisaged the preparation of BGSBU -15 years vision document with the participation of various segments of the society to impart inclusiveness and amalgamation of ideas from all stakeholders to build-up trust and a sense of ownership of the proposed vision document. In this regard, the University has already sought valuable suggestion/inputs from all the esteemed members of the Civil Society particularly of those from Rajouri and Poonch region to be the part of this proposed vision document. 

Furthermore, BGSBU is committed towards academic freedom, equality, cultural diversity, integrity, respect for others and sustainable development. I personally believe in mutual respect and universal brotherhood and hope to build a vibrant ecosystem where ideas flourish to empower future generations. I am looking at BGSBU being the centre of excellence in academics and research and all my efforts are in this direction only. I am quite hopeful that with the active cooperation of various stakeholders of the University, BGSBU will reach the epitome of excellence in days to come.

What are your views about the new Education policy?

National Education Policy 2020 is a revolutionary reform of 21st century. The initiative taken after 1986 will empower the youth to take the country forward in this century and will set the foundation for 21st century India. It is a step towards Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. In the words of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, the policy is based on the pillars of “access, equity, quality, affordability, accountability” and will transform India into a “vibrant knowledge hub.

The policy has suggested a curriculum optimization for ensuring a joyful, rigorous, engaging, responsive and effective pedagogical environment that fosters an overall development of the students. The students should be exposed to numerous and meaningful social engagement to develop their capacities and dispositions for an effective social life.

The new education policy provides guidelines for the education of all so that all, regardless of their diverse learning needs and background, can be successful in developing and realizing the full human potential. I am sure that BGSBU will be implementing NEP -2020 in its letter and spirit in a given time line in accordance with guidelines from the UT government. 

What reforms can be made at the academic level to make the education system better?

Academic progression is the soul of any educational institution. I believe that the education system must focus on holistic development of the students i.e. the development of social and emotional skills including cultural awareness and empathy, perseverance and grit, teamwork, leadership and communication. Further we need to be flexible and adaptable.