A two-week refresher course in ‘Gender and Development Studies’ started at the University of Kashmir on Friday.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan inaugurated the online course, organised by the UGC-Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), to educate the faculty in higher education institutions (HEIs) about new skills and knowledge in gender and development studies.

In her presidential address, Prof Nilofer said the refresher course will enable the participants to understand how gender equality can lead to greater economic development and positive social transformations.

“Academic institutions need to keep pace with emerging areas like gender studies and undertake research which helps remove gender inequalities and bridge the gender gap,” she said, congratulating the UGC-HRDC for organising the course, which will lead to fruitful deliberations on a host of issues concerning gender studies and development.

Prof Pam Rajput, Prof Emeritus at Panjab University was the guest of honour on the occasion who shared her vast experiences in the field of gender research. She focused on various strategies and policies of national and international importance which, she said, can elevate the position of women in the society.

She also advocated for a ‘safe’ society for women which will be inclusive in real sense.

Director HRDC Prof Mushtaq Ahmad Darzi highlighted the importance of the refresher course especially in the global context where academic institutions are placing an added focus on new areas of gender and development studies. He thanked the university authorities for their support to HRDC programmes.

40 participants from different parts of the country are participating in the course, which is being coordinated by Dr Roshan Ara, Coordinator, Centre for Women’s Studies and Research, KU.

Dr Sumeer Gul, Coordinator HRDC, moderated the session and also delivered a vote of thanks.