We fared poorly to secure foreign students, patents: VC KU

Srinagar, Oct 28: The Vice Chancellor (VC) Kashmir University Prof. Nilofer Khan on Monday attributed the dip in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) -2024 ranking to the varsity’s failure to secure foreign students for admission and the patents as well.

Talking to Greater Kashmir on the sidelines of the Harud Business Fest organised by the department of the Management studies, the VC KU said the varsity faced a dip in only two components which resulted in the dip in the NIRF ranking. “We were not able to get international (foreign) students but this year we have got three of them while some more are in the pipeline. We were very poor at getting patents but this year so far we have 12 patents and definitely you will see that our ranking will be better next time,” she said.

As already reported, KU slipped by 12 notches in the (NIRF) 2024 announced by the Union Education Ministry in August this year. The university, which ranked 33rd in NIRF 2023, slipped to 45th among universities assessed across the country, indicating a noticeable decline, though it still remained among the top 50 universities.

“We slipped only in these two components (admission of foreign students and getting patents) and that was our lacunae. But have plugged it up now and our rank will be better,” she said.

Briefing about the admission for Post Graduate courses at KU, the VC said the admission was full this year and the seats which are vacant are only self-financed seats. “But the response of students is very satisfactory as the maximum number of the seats are filled,” she said.

Prof. Nilofer Khan further said that they have opened the admission for the students who have qualified the exams from other universities as their results were declared late. “These seats are being filled,” she said.

On the upcoming NAAC visit to KU, the VC said the research besides other components were satisfactory.

“Be it awarding degrees or research projects and the research projects of global importance and other activities or the development of the main campus and satellite campuses. Our performance is satisfactory and we are looking forward to improving our grades,” she said.

She further assured that given the representation from the students and number of applications, they are expecting all the seats in PG courses will be filled.