Srinagar, July 28: The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has accredited the Faculty of Forestry SKUAST-K for the degree programmes being run at the university’s Faculty of Forestry.
ICFRE is a premier organisation under the ambit of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (Government of India) entrusted with forestry research and education needs of the country. The faculty now has the distinction of being among the top 6 Faculties/Colleges offering Forestry at the national level. The accreditation is valid for five years from the date of issuance of the certificate.
Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K on the occasion congratulated Prof SA Gangoo (Dean, Faculty of Forestry) besides all members of the faculty for achieving this feat, adding another feather to the cap of SKUAST-K, the university said in a press release issued here.
Prof SA Gangoo expressing satisfaction appreciated the efforts of HoDs and members of the faculty for their perseverance and dedication in making this faculty proud.
The Faculty of Forestry runs a four-year undergraduate program of BSc Hons. (Forestry). It also offers Masters and Doctoral Degrees besides Diploma and skills courses in different sub-disciplines of Forestry including Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest Resource Management, Forest Biology and Tree Improvement, Forest Products and Utilisation and Wildlife Sciences. The Faculty running full residential programs attracts students not only from J&K but across the length and breadth of the country.
The accreditation criteria followed by ICFRE primarily revolve around the teaching and research environment, faculty development, existing infrastructure and other special achievements. The process involves the submission of a Self-Assessment Report by the Institute followed by the physical visit of the accreditation team to the institute for verification. The process culminates after a final presentation before the Accreditation Board.
The accreditation with grade A++ reflects the leadership and reputation of the Faculty of Forestry SKUAST-K at the national level in the field of forestry education and research, the SKUAST-K said.
Forestry education and research under the current climatic scenario assume importance to combat challenges associated with green cover, land use changes, depleting biodiversity, forest dependence, climate resilience, etc, it added.
