JU, CUJ and SKUAST-J to facilitate dual degree under UGC guidelines

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 1: To facilitate eligible students in pursuing two academic programmes simultaneously in accordance with the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the University of Jammu (JU) today signed Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) with Cluster University of Jammu (CUJ) and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu.

The (MoUs) were signed by Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar, University of Jammu; Dr. Anil Kumar, Registrar, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu and Ankur Mahajan, Registrar, Cluster University of Jammu, in the presence of Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu and Prof K S Chandrasekar, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu.

The MoUs mark another significant step towards strengthening academic collaboration, fostering institutional linkages and promoting greater flexibility among higher educational institutions.

Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, also conveyed his best wishes for the successful implementation of the MoUs.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, said, "The initiative was aimed at promoting academic flexibility, multidisciplinary learning, skill enhancement and wider educational opportunities for students."

He said such initiatives were in consonance with the changing landscape of higher education and the emphasis of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on providing students greater flexibility and multidisciplinary learning opportunities.

Under the MoUs, eligible students pursuing Undergraduate (UG) or Postgraduate (PG) programmes in regular/conventional mode at the collaborating universities will have an opportunity to simultaneously pursue another approved programme from among 20 programmes offered by the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), University of Jammu, through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or Online Mode.

Prof KS Chandrasekar, Vice-Chancellor, CUJ said, "The partnership would foster academic mobility and empower students to excel in an increasingly competitive global environment."

The MoUs also provide for a simplified admission mechanism. Students will be required to submit the prescribed application, academic qualification documents, proof of current enrolment and other documents as required by CDOE, University of Jammu.

The signing ceremony was attended by Dean Planning and Development, University of Jammu; Director Education, SKUAST-Jammu; Director, DIQA, University of Jammu; Director, IQAC, Cluster University of Jammu; Director, Extension and Outreach, Cluster University of Jammu; Assistant Registrar, Cluster University of Jammu; Assistant Director, Resident Instructions, SKUAST-Jammu; all faculty members and officers of CDOE, University of Jammu.