Rajouri/Jammu, December 15 (Scoop News) – “Universities in the State should not only match the national and international standards in academics but these should be equally top ranking in infrastructure and faculty facilities”, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday said adding that consolidation should necessarily follow the growth.
Omar Abdullah underscored the need for consolidation in higher education to make institutions of higher studies as seats of excellence and quality.
Addressing 7th Foundation Day celebration of Baba Gulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) here this morning, the Chief Minister said that the progress shown by the University during the short span is worth noting.
“Time is ripe now to go for consolidation of all disciplines in the University”, he said and impressed upon the management to further strengthen the disciplines already established in the University before introducing new courses. “This is imperative for imparting quality education through competent and well qualified faculty”, he added.
The Chief Minister stressed on mobilization of funds and creation of resources to meet the present and futuristic requirements of the University. He said government would extent all possible help to the University for its progress and strengthening. “I would like to draw a five year plan for providing funds from the government to the University so that it would carry on its construction and other programmes according to a financial figure given to it yearly”, he said elaborating that this process would help the University to identify areas of priority and move accordingly as per the availability of funds in a particular year.
The Chief Minister also directed the University management to work for managing financial and other support from the University Grants Commission to achieve the targets in academic disciplines and infrastructural development. “The task force on Jammu constituted by the Prime Minister is visiting Rajouri soon. I would ask its members to also visit BGSBU to see how the University has been established in this mountainous area and how it is important to strengthen this centre of higher education for the larger interests of people of this area”, he said adding that their recommendations for further strengthening of the BGSBU would go in a big way to achieve the goal.
The Chief Minister who is also Chancellor of BGSBU said that the University is emerging as an important educational centre in the area and its academic activities are helping to create an educational temperament in the districts of Rajouri, Poonch and around. “The boys and girls from the Valley and other parts are keen to study in BGSBU. This indicates the reputation and quality of education imparted here”, he said adding that during his recent visit to Kishtwar students requested for office facility of BGSBU in Doda and Kishtwar so that they could get forms and complete formalities for admission without traveling to Jammu and Rajouri for this purpose. “By becoming fully operational, the
Mughal Road would further enhance the reach of BGSBU to most parts of the Valley”, he added.Referring to the polytechnic institute coming up in the University Campus, Omar Abdullah said that this would give new impetus to the technical studies being offered by the University. He asked the management to initiate visits of educational experts and also the investors in the field to mobilize resources both for the University as well for passing out graduates and post-graduates. “I am happy campus recruitment is moving ahead satisfactory”, he said.
Omar Abdullah advised the students to take keen interest in their studies and prove their mettle in the fields they have chosen for their career. He asked them to focus on getting best education and move forward with a goal to achieve laurels for the University and the State. “Be proud sons and daughters of your patents and capable citizens of the State to shoulder futuristic responsibilities with caliber and qualification”, he told them.
The Chief Minister released books, magazine and the calendar of 2011 prepared by the BGSDU on the occasion.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik, Minister for Medical Education, R. S. Chib, Minister of State for Higher Education, Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan and District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, G. A. Khawja.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Irshad Ahmad Hamal, in his welcome address presented resume of the academic activities of the University and its futuristic plans for growth. He lauded the keen interest of Omar Abdullah in the progress and prosperity of the University.