On Record by Ehsan Fazili, Our focus is on market-driven subjects: Wahid

On Record by Ehsan Fazili
Our focus is on market-driven subjects: Wahid

Prof Abdul Wahid, Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Kashmir, Srinagar, is a renowned educationist. A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, he is a recipient of many awards.Prof Wahid has been a member on the Jury of Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for three years. He has also been a member of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and the Aligarh Muslim University Court. He speaks to The Tribune in Srinagar about his plans for the university.
Excerpts:
Q: How far you have advanced in the last one year?
A: We could proceed with the university’s activities only from early last year. The university has significantly moved forward. It conducted a meeting of its statutory bodies and adopted necessary subordinate legislation in the form of ordinances, statutes, rules and regulations.
We have put in place necessary physical infrastructure and student support services like library, computer lab, browsing centre, teaching aids, hostel facility etc. We successfully launched three academic programmes — Masters in English, IT and Business Administration this year.
Q: How many students are on the rolls for these academic programmes?
A: Students have been selected, 30 in each of the three courses, through an all-India Common Entrance Test. Students from Tamil Nadu, Bihar and other states have been provided with hostel facilities in the rented campus at Sonwar in Srinagar.
Q: Are there any hindrances like the law and order situation or lack of funds in developing the university?
A: No. There have been no hindrances. There was some turmoil during summer months during which not many students from other states could join our university.
Q: When would the varsity campus get ready?
A: The campus site near Ganderbal is accessible from Srinagar city. There will be several alternatives routes for reaching the campus. The state government has started the land acquisition process. Though the process has got delayed, it should not take a long time. Once the land is transferred to the university, we have to engage an architect to prepare the Master Plan for the campus. Then, we can engage construction agencies for raising the buildings. Obviously, construction takes its own time.
Q: How is your university different from state universities, particularly in Kashmir?
A: Universities have to produce capable leaders in various walks of life. Of course, a Central University differs from state universities in certain respects. First, admission has to be on all-India basis with GoI’s reservation policy. Secondly, funded by the Centre, these should provide high class infrastructure and student support services. Thirdly, these universities are expected to implement the latest academic reforms like semester system, choice-base credit system, use of multi-mode teaching methodology with focus on capacity building and personality development of the learners. For example, in our university every student is required to take up a skill-based course and a socially-oriented course in addition to his/her main discipline.
Q: What new streams are introduced in the university?
A: Our focus is on academic programmes which are market-driven and socially relevant. We are offering Masters Degree in English, IT and Business Administration — all these are in great demand in the country. We will also offer innovative programmes like Nanotechnology, Biodiversity and Conservation, Climate Change once our campus and labs are ready.
We are planning to offer Masters in Convergent Journalism, Mathematics, Economics and integrated degree in Law. Some of these are vocational courses. Kashmir attracts people from far and wide because of its natural beauty and for knowledge and scholarship.
Q: Does your university pose a challenge to the University of Kashmir?
A: The Central University does offer slightly better perks as also higher retirement age to its faculty. But this is no challenge to any university. We have to select the best available talent at the national level. Of course, talented teachers retiring from University of Kashmir and other universities will have opportunities of joining us. I feel all the universities in the region promote a common cause.

Source: The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

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