The University of Kashmir (KU) convened its 100th Syndicate and Finance Committee meetings, during which several important academic and administrative decisions were approved.
The meetings were chaired by Vice-Chancellor KU Prof Nilofer Khan and attended by Shri Shantmanu (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department J&K, Shri Santosh D. Vaidya (IAS), Principal Secretary, Finance Department J&K ; besides other members of the University’s statutory bodies.
At the outset, Prof. Nilofer Khan apprised the members about the recent milestones achieved by the University, including securing NAAC A accreditation, 8th position among State Public Universities (SPUs) and 34th in the overall University category in NIRF rankings-2025.
She also outlined various initiatives taken over the past year to promote student-centric reforms, strengthen e-governance, and foster a vibrant academic ecosystem.
The statutory bodies deliberated on a wide range of issues impacting the University’s academic, research and administrative functioning, as well as that of its affiliated and constituent colleges.
Key decisions and approvals included:
- Establishment of an Institute of Nursing & Paramedical Sciences at the University’s Kupwara Campus.
- Constitution of high-level committees for formulation of Perspective Plans for all satellite campuses in line with the University’s Centenary Vision 2047. The plans will serve as a roadmap for academic expansion, research excellence, sustainable infrastructure creation, energy conservation and employment generation.
- Introduction of several new academic programmes in tune with NEP-2020, including:
- Diploma in Criminal Justice through ODL mode.
- Five-Year Integrated Masters Programmes (FY-IMP) in Mass Communication, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Applied Geology, Tourism & Travel Management, Home Science, Persian, Linguistics and Kashmiri.
- Adoption of a Policy Mechanism for admission of foreign (international) students.
- Approval of faculty appointments, promotions of officers and teachers, and new welfare schemes for employees.
The meetings were attended by distinguished academicians and administrators, including Prof. Devesh K. Sinha (University of Delhi), Dr. Reicha Tanwar (Kurukshetra University), Prof. Rajeev Rattan (University of Jammu), Prof. Aneesa Shafi (Dean, Social Sciences KU), Prof. Pervez Ahmed (DSW KU), Prof. Aejaz Mohammed Sheikh (Dean, School of Arts, Languages & Literature KU), Prof. Iffat Hassan Shah (Principal, GMC Srinagar), Prof. Huda Galzai (Principal, GDC Nawakadal), Prof. Naseer Iqbal (Registrar KU), and other senior officers of the University.
Earlier Registrar KU Prof. Naseer Iqbal presented the agenda items before the committees.
Members appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the University administration towards ensuring employee welfare, student employability, quality assurance and transparency in governance.
In her concluding remarks, Vice-Chancellor KU Prof Nilofer Khan expressed her gratitude to the Hon’ble Chancellor, Hon’ble Pro-Chancellor, and the Departments of Higher Education and Finance, Government of J&K, for their continued support and encouragement. She thanked all members for their valuable guidance and reiterated the University’s commitment to transparency, meritocracy and academic excellence.
