“The freedom has to be complimented with suitable working environment and other requisite conditions, necessary for the overall academic growth and development of the faculty,” Prof. Mehraj ud Din said while addressing the valedictory function of the 2-day seminar on “Quality Concerns in Higher Education,” organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and School of Education, of the CUK, in collaboration with National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Bangalore, at Nowgam academic block.

He said that in new education policy, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has focused on teachers working in higher education sector.

Central University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ashok Aima, Dean School of Education, Prof. N A Nadeem, Central University of Jammu, Head and Dean Department of Educational Studies, Prof. Lokesh Verma, Punjabi University Patiala, Dean Faculty of Education, Prof. Kirandeep Kour, Deans of different Schools of CUK, Head and Coordinators of departments, scholars, students and administrative staff were also present on the occasion.

Prof. Mehraj ud Din said the University was growing and marching ahead in academics and other affairs despite operational difficulties. “Despite the fact that the university is operating from three different campuses, it is conducting all the academic activities including seminars, workshops and student centric programmes,” he said. Prof. Mehraj ud Din sought active cooperation and participation of the faculty members and students in making the varsity a centre of excellence. He appreciated the School of Education for holding the seminar and successfully conducting the sessions during these two days.

Speaking on the occasion, Central University of Jammu (CUJ) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ashok Aima, said that there should be healthy competition between the Universities in Jammu and Kashmir as it was imperative to maintain quality in education. “The competition helps varsities to put in strenuous efforts and work hard to carve a niche for their institution and to become a centre of excellence,” Prof. Aima said. 

He said that running the already established institutions in the country wasn’t a tough job. “IIMs and IITs have been designated as the centres of excellence. However, transforming the newly set up higher educational institutions into leading centres of learning needs a creative approach,’ he added.

Prof. Aima said that the students in present era are much more informed and knowledgeable as they get information on any subject through the World Wide Web. “The concept of classroom and the role of teacher has changed,” he added.

Central University of Jammu, Head and Dean Department of Educational Studies, Prof. Lokesh Verma, presented the recommendations made by those who participated in the seminar sessions and presented their papers on the concerned subject. He said that universities should revise their curriculum frequently, adding that quality should not only be linked with NAAC assessment, but should be a continuous process.

Dean School of Education, Prof. N A Nadeem, gave a detailed account about the sessions and their chairpersons and co-chairpersons and the papers presented, while as Dr. Farooq Ahmad, Associate Professor, Department of Management Studies, presented the welcome address.