Srinagar, March 28: Students from the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora have demanded rescheduling of the university timing for the holy month of Ramadhan.
According to them, the closing time of the university is 5 pm, and the students from far-off areas reach home after Iftar.
“I reach home at 7:30 pm due to which I miss my Iftar at home. We are left with no option but to stop the buses midway and break our fast on road,” a student from Ganderbal told Rising Kashmir.
“It is unfortunate that even after repeated requests, the university administration has not changed the timing for this month,” said another student.
The students have been urging the administration to take note of the current situation and revise the timing so that everybody is home before Iftar.
“The purpose of university buses is to ensure the safety of students. However, those from the outskirts of Srinagar reach home very late. So there is no point boarding a university bus,” said Ifra (name changed), adding, “While other universities in Kashmir have a favourable timing, IUST happens to be an exception.”
Another female student from Srinagar’s Soura said the problem has worsened in the holy month. “I reach home when it is dark,” she said.
The issue does not concern only students but the teaching and non-teaching faculty as well.
Secretary to Vice Chancellor IUST, Javaid Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that the university timings have been fixed as per the UGC guidelines and it is “tough” to make any changes.
He, however, assured of taking the matter with the university administration and addressing it at the earliest.
