The University of Kashmir (KU) successfully hosted a comprehensive three-day assessment by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Peer Team which concluded here on Saturday.

The visit, held from May 29 to May 31, culminated in an exit meeting at the varsity`s convocation complex, where the Peer Team shared its experience and preliminary observations with the university's teaching and non-teaching staff.

During the exit meeting, the NAAC Peer Team lauded the university's advancements in infrastructure, research output, publications, academic collaborations, IT initiatives, examination reforms, e-governance, extension education, capacity building, community engagement, innovation and incubation, best practices, skill enhancement and student support services, noting significant improvements since the last assessment.  They emphasized the importance of continuous quality enhancement and encouraged the university to sustain its momentum towards achieving higher standards of excellence.

The assessment was conducted in a hybrid format, with two team members present on campus while five others participated virtually through live streaming. 

The Peer Team engaged in extensive evaluations across various facets of the university's operations, including on-site inspections of academic departments, research laboratories, student hostels, and other essential facilities. 

The Peer Team held detailed interactions with the Vice Chancellor, KU Prof. Nilofer Khan who also made an impressive power point presentation on the first day of the team`s visit which was followed with a presentation by Director DIQA and presentations by various departmental heads and deans on the subsequent days during the 03 day assessment.

These sessions focused on the university's self-study report, quality benchmarks, and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing academic and administrative excellence.  Engagements extended beyond administrative discussions, as the team also interacted with students and alumni, teaching and non-teaching staff thereby gaining insights into the university's impact on its stakeholders.

The Self-Study Report (SSR) submitted by the university addressed key NAAC criteria, including: Curricular Aspects, Teaching-Learning and Evaluation, Research, Innovations, and Extension, Infrastructure and Learning Resources, Student Support and Progression, Governance, Leadership, and Management, Institutional Values and Best Practices.

These areas were thoroughly evaluated during the visit, with the Peer Team acknowledging the university's commitment to continuous improvement in each domain.

Vice Chancellor KU Prof. Nilofer Khan expressed gratitude to the NAAC Peer Team for their thorough evaluation and constructive feedback.  She acknowledged the collective efforts of the teaching and non-teaching staff, students, scholars and alumni in preparing for the assessment and reaffirmed the university's commitment to implementing the recommendations provided.

The University of Kashmir has a history of NAAC accreditation, having been awarded Grade 'A' in 2002 and 2011.  In the 2019 re-accreditation cycle, the university achieved an impressive 'A ' grade with a commendable CGPA of 3.31 on a 4-point scale. 

The successful completion of the NAAC Peer Team visit marks a significant milestone in the University of Kashmir's ongoing pursuit of academic distinction and institutional growth.