Srinagar, Mar 11: Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Alok Kumar chaired a meeting with Principals of Kashmir division colleges on March 11, 2023 to review the academic and administrative functioning of the higher educational institutions.
The meeting was held at Government College for Women, M.A. Road and was also attended by Director Colleges, Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Ashai and Nodal Principal Kashmir, Prof. (Dr.) Khurshid Ahmad Khan besides other officials of higher education department.
The worthy Principal Secretary impressed on the principals to ensure smooth admission process for the ensuing academic session on the basis of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in line with the UGC guidelines and implementation of National Education Policy-2020. CUET is being held by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to provide a single-window opportunity to students to seek admission in any of the universities across the country.
It was decided that Islamia College of Science & Commerce shall conduct capacity building workshop for CUET so that different colleges can facilitate students to complete the admission formalities without any hassles and in an error free manner.
It was also decided that print and electronic media shall be used to reach out to the aspirants for providing basic information about the admission process. A brief video tutorial shall also be produced for listing the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ of the procedure. Besides, principals will also proactively engage with the schools in their respective catchment areas to apprise the students about the admission formalities. Pertinently, the last date to apply for CUET UG 2023 has been extended till 30 March.
The meeting was informed that the process for appointing lecturers on academic arrangement basis in the colleges has been expedited and will be completed in coming days.
The meeting also reviewed the status of developmental works at different colleges. The principals shared their inputs regarding some of the factors impeding developmental works. The Principal Secretary called for better coordination between the college principals and the executing agencies to expedite the projects.
The principals briefed the Principal Secretary about the progress made in their respective colleges on academic and administrative fronts. They also listed some areas of concern and made some suggestions to resolve them with the help of the administrative department. He was also apprised about the progress in resolving the issues pertaining to land acquisition in some colleges.
The principals thanked the worthy Principal Secretary for giving a patient hearing to their inputs and for assuring all possible help from the higher education department.
Alok Kumar said the purpose of calling a joint meeting of all principals was to sort out the pending issues in a face-to-face setting rather than relying on the more time-consuming letter correspondence. He also assured the principals to look into specific issues of the colleges in separate one-on-one meetings with the concerned principals.
Pertinently, the Principal Secretary had chaired a similar interactive meeting with principals of Jammu division colleges at GCW Parade Ground, Jammu last month.
