Expansion, consolidation of education sector receiving fillip: Omar

Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah chairing a meeting at Srinagar on Monday.
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah chairing a meeting at Srinagar on Monday.

*Reviews progress of BGSBU

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 21: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that accessibility of students to subjects of advanced science and technology with highest market-prospects can be achieved by building the educational faculties in the State Universities as per modern requirements and at par with the reputed higher educational institutions of the country.
Omar Abdullah said that the focus of the Government during the last over five years has been on the expansion and consolidation of educational sector in the State which resulted in the establishment of new universities and strengthening the existing ones. He said while attention was paid to improve the infrastructure, introduction of modern subjects in the universities was also pursued greatly. He said most of the universities in the State are now offering subjects of modern relevance to the students.
Reviewing the progress of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) at a high level meeting here today, the Chief Minister, who is also Chancellor of the University received power point presentation on the progress and achievements of the University and its futuristic programmes for growth and development.
The Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Haj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Vice Chancellor of BGSBU, Prof. I. A. Hamal, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Mushtaq Ahmad, Registrar, M. R. Chowdhary and various senior officers were present in the meeting.
The VC in his opening remarks gave overview of the achievements and growth registered by the University since its inception particularly during the last five years. He also highlighted some issues requiring attention of the Government.
In a power point presentation made by the Deputy Registrar of the University, Suneet Gupta, it was stated that Schools of Studies in Management Studies and Economics, Mathematical Science and Engineering, Bio-sciences and Bio-technology, Islamic Studies and Languages, Education, Material Sciences and Nanotechnology and Healthcare and Pharmacy are presently functioning in the University. The University also offers Postgraduate academic programmes for MBA, MCA, MSc (Applied Mathematics), MA (Arabic), MSc (IT) and MSc (Bio-technology).
It was mentioned that new post graduation academic programmes for MSc, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology and Computer Sciences-Integrated, MA, English and Economics and MEd are being introduced in the University during this year. It was stated that the University also offers B. Tech in Electronics and Communication, Computer Sciences and Engineering, Information Technology, Electrical and Renewable Energy and Civil besides other undergraduate courses.
The meeting was informed that Community College has been established in the University to impart different job oriented Certificate Courses in Travel and Tourism to undergraduate students during which a stipend of Rs.1000 per month is being paid to them during the studies. The course has been sanctioned by the University Grants Commission.
Giving brief about the infrastructural development taking place in the University, the Deputy Registrar informed that three state funded projects namely Electronics and Communication Block, Civil Engineering Block and Boys Hostel are nearing completion while work is on progress on the construction of Examination Block, Central Library, New Boys Hostel, Bio-sciences Block and Mathematical Science Block.