Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday chaired the 89th meeting of the University Council of the University of Jammu at Lok Bhavan.
The meeting was attended by Sakeena Masood Itoo, Minister for Health and Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare Departments; Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Prof. K.S. Chandrasekhar, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University Jammu; Prof. Mohd Mobin, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar; Santosh D. Vaidya, Principal Secretary, Finance; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department; Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Director, IIM Calcutta; Prof. A.K. Kaul, former Professor, Department of Sociology, BHU Varanasi; Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, University of Jammu; and other members of the Council.
The University Council, meeting under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, accorded in-principle approval to several agenda items and proposals, including the inclusion of provisions in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and UGC guidelines. These included 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 the Jammu University Animal Welfare Club; establishment of a Centre for Regional Studies, Culture, Dialectics and Emotional Intelligence (CRCD&EI); and change of nomenclature of B.Tech. (Information Technology) to B.Tech. (Information Technology and Mathematical Innovation) under the four-year undergraduate programme.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that universities must set benchmarks in innovation and research and regularly revise courses to incorporate Artificial Intelligence and cutting-edge IT technologies.
“Time for universities to step up and lead innovation, build skills and solve society’s toughest challenges,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He directed the University of Jammu to collaborate with financial institutions to enhance student employability and to conduct a rigorous impact assessment of existing skill development courses.
He further asked the University to take focused measures for promoting studies in local cultural heritage, languages and arts, and for reviving the Guru Nanak Dev Chair of Sufi Studies.
The Lieutenant Governor said universities must develop advanced early warning systems for natural disasters and provide solutions to local challenges. Stressing that academic institutions cannot function in isolation, he said their research capabilities must be aligned to address societal needs. He also directed the establishment of animal welfare clubs in all universities.
“It is the era of Universities 2.0. They must look beyond degrees and transform campuses into epicentres of creative solutions and social transformation. They should become powerhouses of ideas and talent, ready to solve real-world problems,” he said.
The Council reviewed the progress of the Gandhi Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies and the expansion of IT-enabled services. To improve administrative efficiency, the Lieutenant Governor directed streamlining of the e-office system, implementation of IT-enabled services, and timely completion of ongoing infrastructure projects.
He also called for greater youth participation in the Yuva Connect programme and active engagement in the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign and other national awareness initiatives.
Discussions were also held on streamlining the process of direct recruitment for various posts, effective implementation of a comprehensive sports policy, and enhancing the overall quality of teaching, learning and research at the University.
Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, presented the University’s progress report, highlighting key achievements. The Registrar presented the agenda items before the Council for report, consideration and ratification.
It was informed that the University of Jammu has been recognised as one of the SPOKE institutions, with IIT Delhi as the Hub Institution, under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) – Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR).
The chair was also briefed on the action taken on the directions issued during the previous meeting of the Council.