Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 28: Governor, N.N. Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, made a half day visit to the main campus of the University at Chatha today.
Besides inaugurating the new buildings of the Health Centre, Examination Hall, School of Biotechnology, and the Sports Complex, he reviewed the progress of the Auditorium and Staff quarters which are under construction. After taking stock of the work so far done, the Chancellor stressed the need to ensure very early completion of all on-going projects and for work being commenced to construct more residential quarters and hostels on the campus to make it a fully residential University.
The Governor met the entire senior Faculty of the University in an interactive session in which Dr. Mohammad Salim, Director (Education), Dr. Ajay Koul, Director (Research) and Dr. K.S. Risam, Director (Extension) of the University made presentations on the academic, research and extension work being done in the University.
While interacting with the academic staff of the University, the Chancellor pointed to the vital role which the State Farm Universities are expected to play and asked the scientists to work in tandem with other research organizations both within and outside the State to develop customized solutions to the specific problems faced by the agriculturists in Jammu region.
The Chancellor also stressed the urgent need for spreading diversified farming models as only such an approach could enhance the economic prosperity of the farmers who had small holdings. He also emphasised the need to ensuring against any delay in transferring new technologies to the farms by the University through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and extension wings of the State Agriculture Department.
The Chancellor pointed out that the University must gain excellence in all spheres of its functioning, particularly in the arenas of teaching, research and extension, if it were to render the much needed support for enhancement of agricultural production and productivity in the State.
While appreciating the several initiatives taken by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. D. Arora in launching new courses in Bio-technology and Agri-business Management and convening a number of relevant research programmes on the basis of external funding, the Chancellor emphasized the need for increasing the number of students at all levels and in all departments and maintaining high academic standards in all areas of learning so that the University produces highly qualified agricultural research scientists. For holistic development of the students in the University, the Chancellor urged due attention to the promotion of sports and other extra-curricular activities in the University.
The Chancellor released four books which have been authored by the Vice Chancellor and different faculty members of the University.
Dr. B.B.Gupta, Registrar of the University presented a formal vote of thanks.
The Chancellor was accompanied by Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor during the visit to the University.