Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: The 8th meeting of the Academic Council of Cluster University of Jammu was held today under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor, Prof K S Chandrasekar.
The Academic Council confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting along with the Action Taken Report and approved several key academic reforms aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 and University Grants Commission guidelines.
Among the major decisions was the approval of statutory provisions for the implementation of One-Year and Two-Year Postgraduate Programmes.
In a significant development aimed at strengthening research capacity, 48 faculty members from constituent colleges were recognized as Ph D supervisors for the first time. The Council also approved the reintroduction of Integrated Programmes in Sciences from the forthcoming academic session, with programmes in Languages and Social Sciences to be introduced in the subsequent phase. The Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF), incorporating clearly defined Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs), Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs), and programme mapping, was adopted to ensure outcome-based and standards-aligned education in accordance with NEP 2020.
The Academic Council approved several new academic initiatives, including the establishment of a Department of Vedic Studies offering a Postgraduate Diploma in Sanatana Dharma and Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS); a five-year Integrated PG Programme in Geography; M Sc Environmental Sciences with specialization in Renewable Energy; introduction of major courses in Economics, English, and Statistics; an Advanced Certificate in Dogri Translation; a Cyber Security elective; and a Minor in Information Technology.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will also be introduced as an elective course, supported by faculty capacity-building initiatives to develop trained resource persons. The Council further deliberated upon the adoption of UGC guidelines for the “Professor of Practice” scheme and Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes to strengthen industry-academia linkages.
Student-centric measures were also emphasized, including provisions for scribes and additional examination time for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) students, alongside enhanced academic flexibility and research provisions in alignment with NEP 2020.
Prof Mobin Mohd, Vice-Chancellor of Cluster University of Srinagar, joined the meeting virtually as a special invitee. The agenda of the meeting was presented by Prof Twinkle Suri, Dean Academic Affairs.
The meeting witnessed the participation of the Controller of Examinations, Dean Research Studies, Deans of Faculties, Principals of constituent colleges, Heads of Departments, and Coordinators of University Schools. The Registrar and Deans of Cluster University of Srinagar also attended the proceedings virtually as special invitees.
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