Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 16: In order to ensure probity and transparency in selection of candidates in professional institutions of the State, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today issued directions for switching over in future to Entrance Mode for selection of candidates pursuing Nursing courses in Bibi Halima College of Nursing & Medical Technology.
He also passed instructions for increasing the intake capacity of the college from 50 to 100 seats so that the requirement of paramedic staff in our health institutions is adequately addressed.
The Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman of the Waqf Board, passed these directions while reviewing the functioning of Waqf institutions in the State. Formal instructions will be conveyed shortly to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir with whom the Bibi Halima College is affiliated.
Vice Chairman, J&K Waqf Board, Peer Mohammad Hussain, was also present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister, while favouring a revision in fee structure of the College for making the institutions self-sustaining, called for taking immediate corrective measures to give all the aspiring candidates a level-playing field to compete for selection in professional institutions. “There is a huge demand for nurses in the health sector both within and outside the country. We have an available market in the Middle East, especially Saudia Arabia, where our trained nurses can be gainfully employed,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister asked Vice Chairman Waqf Board to take up with University of Kashmir the issue of switching over to Entrance Mode for selection of candidates in the Bibi Halima College. Presently, the students are being admitted on the basis of merit achieved in 10+2 examinations.
Expressing concern over the absence of a Nursing Registration Council, whose certification is a prerequisite for seeking jobs outside the State and abroad, the Chief Minister issued immediate directions for taking up the matter with the University of Kashmir so that the Council is constituted at an earliest. He also said that there is potential to establish nursing colleges at several other places which will cater to the requirement of health institutions at the local levels, where acute shortage of paramedic staff is off and on witnessed.
Flagging the issue of identifying a suitable site for establishing the College, the Chief Minister sanctioned a vehicle to the College for catering to its transportation needs. He also asked VC Waqf Board to process the case for enhancing the discretionary powers of the Principals of the Waqf institutions to utilize the local funds available with them.
While briefing the Chief Minister about the present status of the College, the Principal, Tanveera Makhdoomi said two Nursing courses of four and two-year duration are presently being offered to the students. Around 480 nurses who have passed out from the College have found placement in the health sector both within and outside the State.
On reviewing the functioning of Mantiquee Memorial Higher Secondary School, Awantipora, the Chief Minister issued instructions to immediately take up the issue of affiliation of the school with the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, so that it becomes a feeding school to the varsity. He also sanctioned use of two buses to facilitate to-and-fro transit of students studying in the school. Presently, 971 students are enrolled in the school where courses in IT, Medical & Computer Applications are being offered.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the performance of Sultan-ul-Arifeen Higher Secondary School, Kathi Darwaza, where 636 students are presently enrolled. On being informed about the deficiency in teaching staff and the issue of renewal of affiliation with J&K BOSE after every two years, the Chief Minister asked VC Waqf Board to sort out the issues with the concerned authorities without any delay.
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