J&K to adopt uniform academic calendar from this year: Chief Secy

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir will fully implement the National Education Policy (NEP) from the current academic session. It will also move to a uniform academic calendar which in turn will be synchronized the national academic calendar. In addition, the four year undergraduate programme as per UGC guidelines would be introduced in colleges of J&K from the current academic session.

This was unanimously agreed to in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, to review and discuss modalities for implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting also decided that the centralized admission test CUET would be mandatory for all admissions in J&K from the next academic session. IN addition, all higher education institutions would move towards progressively greater autonomy.

The meeting had a thorough exchange of ideas on steps to be taken for implementation of this ambitious nationwide policy in J&K.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, School Education, Sh. B. K. Singh, Vice Chancellors of various universities of the UT and other senior officers of Higher Education and School Education Department.

Dr Mehta said that the current year would be a transformational year with respect to the education system and important changes would be required in the process. He said that the UT will implement the NEP from April 1 and sought suggestions from VCs about the modalities to be adopted for making a smooth transition in its implementation. The VCs unanimously suggested the need to synchronize the academic calendar with the national academic calendar and move to a single calendar. They said that adoption of uniform calendar system would not only enable the students from JK to compete with students in rest of the country for admissions to top institutions but also save valuable time.

The Chief Secretary advised the universities to ensure implementation of the calendar in such a way so not to lead to any disruptions or loss of time. He also advised them to start the admissions process as soon as possible and also offer foundational courses to the students in line with the NEP.

Asserting that Universities have a great role to play in research and vocational development, the Chief Secretary said that universities should become a centre of innovation and students instead of chasing government jobs should become innovators and job creators. He said that the government will provide every kind of support to all universities in this regard. He said that the focus of this year’s financial budget will be to address the gaps in terms of academic infrastructure and teaching resources. He emphasized for greater coordination among higher secondary schools, colleges and universities that only greater coordination and supervision could lead academic excellence. He said that J&K universities should chase excellence in education and obtain the best possible rankings

He asked the VCs to develop a robust framework for getting feedback from the students as academic feedback is more strongly and consistently related to achievement and quality of higher education. He also stressed on the need for a vibrant academic and cultural ecosystem, organizing more intra and inter University competitions and a healthy campus life.

Principal Secretary Higher Education briefed the meeting regarding the various steps being taken for the implementation of the NEP. He informed the meeting that all degree colleges in J&K would apply for accreditation or provisional registeration (PAC) under the NAAC framework this year. In addition, at least 10 Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir would identify sister Colleges which would have collaboration with reputed International Institutions to boost faculty and student exchange programs. From the academic Session 2022-23, 14 Centers of Innovation, Invention, Incubation and Training would be established under Hub and Spoke model. In addition, IIT and IIM Jammu would develop 10 Incubation Centers (each) in Degree Colleges under Hub and Spoke model.

Regarding Learning Management System (LMS), Principal Secretary informed that JK Higher education department has launched its own LMS that supports Online Learning for students. In the first phase, 22 GDCS have been connected while all GDCS will be connected with LMS in next Phase. It was also informed that JK Higher Education department has directed all institutions to ensure equitable access to quality education, with a special emphasis on Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).

Srinagar:  A driver from Punjab who was working in the valley was wounded in yet another targeted attack on non locals by militants in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials said.

They said unknown gunmen fired upon driver Sonu Sharma a resident of Pathankot Punjab at Yader Pulwama Thursday evening.

“The injured was shifted by locals to district hospital Pulwama,” an official said, adding the driver has bullet injuries on his right thigh. Senior security officials have rushed to the area.

Security officials believe the attacks are apparently aimed at driving away migrant workers from Kashmir.

“The militants want to create fear among non locals by targeted attacks,” a security official said.
Seven non locals and a Kashmir Pandit have been targeted in the south Kashmir districts of Pulwama and Shopian in over a fortnight.

Srinagar: A purported CCTV footage of a militant attack in Srinagar’s city centre shows a CRPF trooper was shot from close range by a young man with a pistol.

Two CRPF personnel were fired at in Maisuma area of Srinagar on Monday afternoon, resulting in critical gunshot injuries to both. While Head constable Vishal Kumar lost his life, another is being treated at the Army Hospital in Srinagar.

The one minute footage that is viral on social media shows that apparently two militants were involved in the attack.

The footage shows one of the CRPF troopers chasing one of the militants while another opens fire from point blank range.

Soon after the firing, another CRPF jawan can also be seen meters away from the spot taking position.

After the attack, police said that security forces exercised maximum restraint in view of the presence of a large number of people.

Srinagar: An overnight anti-militancy operation in south Kashmir’s Shopian district was called off on Thursday as the militants managed to escape from the area.

A brief gun battle erupted in the Haripora area late Wednesday when joint teams of security forces launched a cordon and a search operation.

“The initial contact with militants was established at around 11 pm. After that there was no exchange of fire. Searches in the village were carried this morning to trace the militants.

However, nothing was found and the operation has been called off,” a security official said.

Locals said drone cameras were used in a bid to track down the militants. It was not clear when the militants escaped.

Srinagar: A militant aide, linked with LeT, was arrested in  North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, police said on Thursday.

“Acting on specific input, a special joint motor vehicle checking point was established by Baramulla police, 29 RR and 2nd Bn SSB at Dolipora Morh.

“During checking, a suspicious person upon seeing the security party tried to flee from the spot, but was apprehended after a brief chase,” a police official said.

He has been identified as Iqbal Mir, son of Ghulam Nabi Mir, resident of Mungam Wagoora.
Police said during search, incriminating material, ammunition including an AK magazine, 20 AK rounds, two UBGL grenades and two detonators concealed in a bag were recovered from his possession.

“During preliminary investigation, it was learnt that he was a close associate of active militant Hilal Sheikh alias Hanzulla, resident of Shrakwara Kreeri affiliated with proscribed militant outfit LeT and he was also in contact with Pakistani militant Usman,” the police said.

Srinagar: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted multiple raids in Kashmir, officials said.

They said NIA teams with the help of J&K Police and CRPF conducted searches in Srinagar and Baramulla.

According to a local news gathering agency, the NIA carried raids at 11 locations in Kashmir Valley in connection with a case relating to activities of ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), a frontal outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), officials said.

“NIA conducted searches at 11 locations in Kashmir (6 locations in district Srinagar, 2 in Baramulla and one each in Awantipora Pulwama, Budgam and Kulgam) in NIA case no. RC-32/2021/NIA/DLI,” NIA said in a statement.

The locations searched include the house of active militant Basit Ahmad Dar against whom NIA has recently announced a reward of Rs 10 lakhs, it said.

“The case relates to activities of ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), a frontal outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and it’s self-styled commander Sajjad Gul, who has been actively radicalising, motivating and recruiting youth of J & K to affect violent activities,” NIA said.

The NIA statement further said that Gul along with his other associate commanders of LeT based in Pakistan, has been recruiting individuals (Over Ground Workers) to do reconnaissance of pre-determined targets, coordinating and transporting weapons to support LeT and TRF.

The NIA said that various incriminating materials such as “digital devices, SIM cards, digital storage devices, documents etc. have been seized”  during the searches conducted today.

“Investigation in the case continues,” it added. (UNI/GNS)