Kulgam, Jan17: In a significant step toward advancing teacher education in Jammu and Kashmir, Professor (Dr.) Parikshat Singh Manhas, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Jammu and Kashmir, visited DIET Kulgam to assess its preparedness and oversee the groundwork for its transformation into a Centre of Excellence.
During an extensive meeting with officials from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department and DIET Kulgam faculty, the R&B Executive Engineer raised concerns about the availability of sufficient land for infrastructure development—a critical requirement for the Centre of Excellence initiative. Demonstrating decisive leadership, Director SCERT swiftly engaged with district administration officials to resolve the matter.
The Director SCERT, along with concerned officials, visited the office of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir UI Shafi Khan (IAS). The Deputy Commissioner, known for his proactive governance, immediately called upon the Tehsildar to finalize the allotment of land already identified for the project. This on-the-spot resolution ensured that the Centre of Excellence initiative progresses without further delays.
The Centre of Excellence initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, aims to identify and upgrade select DIETs across the country as models of academic excellence, research, and innovation. Each year, four DIETs from every state and Union Territory are selected for this recognition based on their performance, innovation, and ability to address critical challenges in teacher education and capacity building.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to elevating the education sector in the Union Territory to be at par with national standards. Under his visionary leadership, the administration has implemented transformative policies aimed at enhancing teacher education, upgrading infrastructure, and fostering innovation. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir has always emphasized upon the importance of such initiatives. The Centre of Excellence program is instrumental in building a robust and inclusive educational ecosystem that empowers educators, improves learning outcomes, and prepares students for a competitive global environment.
“This is a crucial milestone for DIET Kulgam as it moves toward becoming a Centre of Excellence. The timely support from the district administration and the collective efforts of all stakeholders have been instrumental in addressing challenges and paving the way for progress,” Director SCERT
In Jammu and Kashmir, DIET Budgam and DIET Kulgam were selected in the first phase for their exemplary contributions to promoting innovative teaching methodologies, conducting action research, and implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Building on the success of the first phase, the second phase includes DIETs Shopian and Kupwara as strong contenders in the Kashmir Division.
