LG Sinha Chairs 89th University Council Meeting of Jammu University | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday chaired the 89th meeting of the University Council of the University of Jammu at Lok Bhavan, where the Council accorded in-principle approval to a series of academic and administrative proposals aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and University Grants Commission guidelines.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Health Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo; Vice-Chancellors of the University of Jammu, University of Kashmir, Cluster University Jammu and Cluster University Srinagar; senior government officials; academicians; and members of the Council.

Among the key approvals were the adoption of the Strategic Action Plan (2025–2030), introduction of a five-year integrated UG–PG programme in Mathematical Sciences, guidelines for grant of duty leave to teachers, constitution of an Animal Welfare Club, establishment of a Centre for Regional Studies, Culture, Dialectics and Emotional Intelligence, and a change in nomenclature of B.Tech (Information Technology) to B.Tech (Information Technology and Mathematical Innovation) under the four-year undergraduate programme.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasised the need for regular curriculum revision to incorporate artificial intelligence and emerging information technologies. He directed the University to collaborate with financial institutions to improve student employability and to carry out an impact assessment of existing skill development courses.

He also called for measures to promote studies in local cultural heritage, languages and arts, and for the revival of the Guru Nanak Dev Chair of Sufi Studies. The Lieutenant Governor stressed that universities should contribute solutions to local challenges, including development of early warning systems for natural disasters, and directed the establishment of animal welfare clubs across all universities.

The Council reviewed progress on the Gandhi Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, expansion of IT-enabled services, and ongoing infrastructure projects. Directions were issued to streamline the e-office system, ensure timely completion of works, and enhance administrative efficiency.

Discussions were also held on youth participation in the Yuva Connect programme, engagement in the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, streamlining direct recruitment processes, implementation of the University’s sports policy, and improving teaching, learning and research standards.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai presented a progress report, while the Registrar placed agenda items before the Council for consideration and ratification. The meeting was informed that the University of Jammu has been recognised as a SPOKE institution under the ANRF–Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research programme, with IIT Delhi as the hub institution. The Council also reviewed compliance on directions issued in its previous meeting.