The University of Kashmir (KU) today convened the 56th meeting of its Academic Council under the chairpersonship of Vice-Chancellor KU Prof. Nilofer Khan.

The meeting deliberated on key academic matters, including the introspection of program choices offered at the University’s satellite campuses, keeping in view market demand, intake capacity, and admission trends.

Addressing the meeting comprising top university officers, deans of the schools, heads of various departments/satellite campuses, and several college principals, Prof. Nilofer Khan stressed on the need to ensure that academic standards and benchmarks are not allowed to be lowered at any cost and that introduction of new courses proposed is done strictly in accordance with the set norms and guidelines.

“While proposing to have more courses introduced at the college or university level, we must keep in mind the relevance of such courses in the present times as well as times ahead in the larger interest of the student community,” she said.

Prof. Nilofer Khan underscored the need for a thorough review of existing courses and the introduction of new programmes that align with societal relevance, industry demands, and employability. She emphasized that the University must ensure its academic offerings remain dynamic and responsive to evolving educational and professional landscapes.

“Such timely reviews can go a long way in ensuring better academic standards at the UG, PG levels across our campuses and at the affiliated colleges of the university,” said the Vice-Chancellor.

The Academic Council also assessed the academic feasibility of introducing various subjects and courses at the undergraduate level in the affiliated colleges of the University. Additionally, the council approved the syllabi of various five-year integrated courses and endorsed the introduction of new programs in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, as well as Nursing and Paramedical Sciences at the Kupwara Campus.

The discussions centered on aligning academic programmes with the changing aspirations of students and the workforce requirements of the region in tune with NEP-2020.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated the University’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and ensuring that students are equipped with skills and knowledge that enhance their career prospects. She urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively in strengthening the institution’s academic framework.

Dean Academic Affairs KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, put the agenda of the meeting open for debate and discussion and said that the agenda items endorsed by the Academic Council shall be put before the competent bodies for further ratification/approvals.

The Academic Council, among others, was attended by Dean Research KU Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat, Dean College Development Council KU Prof. Khurshid A Butt, Principal, GMC Srinagar and Dean, Faculty of Medicine KU, Dr. (Prof.) Iffat Hassan Shah, and Controller Examinations KU, Dr. Majid Zaman Baba while as Registrar KU Prof Naseer Iqbal proposed formal vote of thanks on the occasion.