Jammu, Sept 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 20th University Council Meeting of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, at Raj Bhawan today. The meeting brought together senior officials from the university and government departments to discuss key challenges and advancements in the agricultural sector.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Santosh D. Vaidya, Principal Secretary, Finance Department; Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt. Governor; Dr. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Jammu; Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir; Prof. P.L. Gautam, Pro-Chancellor, Career Point University Hamirpur; Dr. M.C. Sharma, former Director of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, and other senior officers. Some attended in person, while others joined virtually.
The Council, led by the Lt. Governor, focused on finding solutions to challenges in agriculture and allied sectors, particularly on the practical application of research and innovation to enhance productivity. Lt. Governor Sinha emphasized the need for SKUAST to adopt modern, sustainable agricultural practices and enhance its outreach to the farming community. He also stressed the importance of implementing the e-office system to streamline administrative functions.
The meeting recognized SKUAST’s commendable performance under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP). The Council gave in-principle approval to various agenda items, including the adoption of University Grants Commission (UGC) based qualifications for the posts of Assistant Registrar and Assistant Comptroller, and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) norms for the positions of Subject Matter Specialists.
Dr. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Jammu, presented the progress report of the university. He highlighted the significant advancements in research, patents, and publications, marking a period of growth for SKUAST Jammu.
