CS reviews issues facing J&K varsities, assures early resolution

Srinagar, Aug 7: In a significant move to strengthen the higher education in J&K, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level meeting to take stock of the issues confronting various universities operating across the Union Territory.

The meeting aimed at accelerating the resolution of pending matters hampering the academic and infrastructural growth of these institutions.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Principal Secretaries of the Finance, Public Works (R&B), and Agriculture Production Departments; Secretaries of Health and Rural Development; Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners concerned; Managing Directors of JPDCL and KPDCL; Director General, Budget and other senior officials.

Vice Chancellors of all the major universities in J&K, both academic and agricultural, also participated.

During the deliberations, the Chief Secretary underscored the importance of timely intervention and seamless coordination between universities and line departments. He emphasized that institutions of higher learning deserve the utmost seriousness in addressing their issues, given their critical role in shaping the educational and innovation ecosystem of the UT.

He directed the Higher Education Department to document all innovative practices, including research projects, patents, start-ups and other unique academic initiatives, being undertaken across these institutions. Such documentation, he said, would help in knowledge sharing and replication of successful models elsewhere in the UT.

In a significant push for human resource development, the Chief Secretary also urged the universities to design crash courses for capacity building of government employees across departments.