Srinagar, Mar 16: Vice Chancellor University of  Kashmir (KU) Prof Nilofer Khan on Monday felicitated 11 candidates from its Centre for Career Counselling, Coaching and Placement (CCCP) who qualified the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) Combined Competitive Examination–2024 (CCE–2024). The ceremony was held at the University Main Campus where Prof. Nilofer Khan, felicitated the successful aspirants for their achievement. The results of the JKPSC CCE–2024 were declared by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission on March 13, in which 11 candidates from the CCCP Civil Services Residential Coaching Programme of KU secured positions in the merit list. The programme is a flagship initiative of the University aimed at providing structured coaching and academic support to civil services aspirants, particularly those from economically underprivileged sections and female candidates. The programme offers a fully residential academic environment with facilities including free accommodation, a 24×7 library, high-speed internet, structured test series and continuous mentorship to help aspirants prepare for competitive examinations. Congratulating the successful candidates, Vice-Chancellor KU Prof. Nilofer Khan described the achievement as a moment of pride for the University and a testament to the dedication and hard work of the aspirants. She said the University remains committed to strengthening academic support systems that enable young aspirants to compete successfully in prestigious examinations. “I have personally monitored the progress of the Civil Services Residential Coaching Programme and have made frequent visits to the Centre to ensure that the vision behind establishing this initiative is implemented effectively,” Prof. Khan said while appreciating the determination of the successful candidates. Prof. Khan also acknowledged the role of the programme’s Overseeing Committee headed by Dean Research KU Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat and comprising Registrar KU Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Director CCCP Prof. Nazir Ahmad, Special Secretary to the VC KU Dr. Ashfaq Zarri and Chief Accounts Officer/FA KU Zafira for their guidance and supervision. She also appreciated the efforts of the other members of CCCP team including Deputy Director CCCP Dr. Yahya Bakhtiyar and Fatima Ali faculty at CCCP for their sustained mentorship and academic support to civil services aspirants. On the occasion, Dean Academic Affairs KU Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, Dean Research KU Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat, Registrar KU Prof. Naseer Iqbal and Special Secretary to the VC KU Dr. Ashfaq Zarri also shared their views. They highlighted the consistent academic support and mentorship provided by the University through CCCP and congratulated the successful candidates and their families for the remarkable achievement. Earlier Director CCCP KU Prof. Nazir Ahmad, in his remarks, said that the success of the candidates reflects the sustained efforts made by the CCCP team, coordinators, mentors and the Overseeing Committee over the past few years to develop the Centre into a vibrant residential academy dedicated to preparing aspirants for civil services and other competitive examinations. Deputy Director CCCP Dr. Yahya Bakhtiyar proposed vote of the thanks on the occassion whileas Coordinator CCCP Dr Hakim Yasir Abbas conducted the proceedings of the ceremony. On the occasion, the successful candidates also shared their experiences at CCCP and acknowledged the guidance, mentorship and academic support they received at the University which helped them successfully clear the JKPSC CCE–2024 examination.

Srinagar, Mar 16: The Women Study Centre, Government College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar, on Monday celebrated International Women’s Day with a vibrant programme at the College auditorium The event brought together students, faculty members and distinguished guests from diverse fields to reflect on women’s achievements and empowerment. In her welcome address, Principal of the college, (Prof.) Dr. Yasmeen Farooq emphasized the importance of education, resilience and collective action in advancing gender equality. “Women’s empowerment begins with education and confidence. Institutions like ours nurture young women not only to excel academically but also to lead with courage, empathy and integrity in every sphere of society,” Prof. Yasmeen said. The event featured inspiring talks by speakers from diverse sectors.  They shared their professional journeys in a bid to motivate the young female students. Sleet Shah, who is currently serving as DySP Headquarters Srinagar, in her address highlighted the growing role of women in public service. "Women in public service represent strength and responsibility. When more women step into leadership and decision-making roles, society becomes more balanced, inclusive, and responsive to people’s needs,” she said. Dr. Rukhsaar Syed, CEO of Khalis Foods spoke about women’s entrepreneurship and leadership. “Entrepreneurship gives women the power to shape their own futures.  When women build businesses, they do not just create economic value—they create opportunities and inspiration for entire communities,” said Dr. Rukhsaar who is a pioneering food entrepreneur and gained national recognition as the first Kashmiri contestant to participate in and reach the final stages of MasterChef India. Divisional Sports Officer (Kashmir) Nusrat Gazala with the J&K Sports Council, who has also been an accomplished sportsperson, shared her inspiring journey. “From climbing mountains to competing on national platforms, I learned that courage grows with every step you take. Girls should never limit themselves—whether in sports, adventure, or leadership,” she said while encouraging female students to participate in sports. On the occasion, a MOU was signed between the college and the Sports Council. As part of the MoU, the Sports Council will organise a self-defence course for the girl students of the college. Earlier, the programme began with a detailed introduction to the event by Convener, Women Study Centre of the college, Dr. Abina Habib. A ceremonial Izband ritual was held to honour the guests, followed by the presentation of mementos. The programme also included a spiritual segment featuring an Islamic programme by Dr. Asiya Nazir and a Naat recitation. Students actively participated in the celebration through creative presentations, including a poem recitation by Maliha (6th Semester) and a short speech by Maheen (6th Semester) highlighting the aspirations and challenges of young women today. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Malik Roshan, expressing gratitude to the speakers, organizers, and students for making the celebration meaningful and inspiring. The event served as an important platform to celebrate women’s achievements and inspire students to contribute actively toward a more inclusive and empowered society.

Srinagar, March 16: The Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) on Monday voiced concern over remarks made by the minister for education Sakina Itoo regarding the qualifications of teachers employed in private schools across Jammu and Kashmir. The education minister in a recent interview stated that teachers working in private schools were either matriculates or 12th pass, while teachers in government schools were highly qualified and recruited through a proper system. Reacting to the remarks, PSAJK president Dr. Nazrul Islam Baba said the association was disappointed by the tone and substance of the statement, saying it had hurt the sentiments of the private education sector in the Union Territory. Baba said that while the association acknowledges several constructive decisions taken by the minister in the past, the recent comments were discouraging for institutions and teachers working in the private sector. He said that private schools should not be viewed as adversaries of the government but as “knowledge partners” that have played a significant role in strengthening the educational ecosystem of Jammu and Kashmir over the years. He said private institutions have complemented government efforts by educating lakhs of students across the Union Territory and ensuring continuity of education, particularly during challenging periods in the region. He said that  a double bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court recently also acknowledged the importance and contribution of the private education sector in the region’s academic framework. “The remarks questioning the competence of private school teachers are disheartening. The commitment of thousands of teachers working in private institutions is reflected in the consistent performance of students in board examinations and competitive arenas,” he said. The PSAJK president further said that more than half of the student population in Jammu and Kashmir is currently enrolled in private institutions. "This reflects the trust and confidence of society in the private education system," he said. He added that over the past four decades, including during difficult times in the region, private schools continued to function and ensured that the process of education did not come to a halt. Baba also expressed concern over the delay in the functioning of the apex committee constituted to address issues faced by private schools. “The committee was expected to submit its report within a month, but even after more than two months, not a single meeting has been convened,” he said. He reiterated that private schools were not competing with the government but supporting its responsibility of providing quality education. "Strengthening educational infrastructure for the growing student population was a shared responsibility," he said. He expressed hope that the government would recognise the private sector as an important stakeholder and work in coordination to frame a progressive education policy for Jammu and Kashmir. “Through cooperation and mutual respect, we can build knowledge hubs and institutions that will shape the future of our youth and make Jammu and Kashmir a centre of academic excellence,” he said.

KU holds 2-day national workshop on intergenerational action for gender equality Srinagar Mar 15: The Centre for Women’s Studies and Research (CWSR), University of Kashmir (KU), organised a two-day national workshop on “Give to Gain: Intergenerational Action for Gender Equality” at the Main Campus to deliberate on collaborative approaches for advancing gender equality through shared learning and engagement across generations. The workshop aimed to bring together academicians, researchers and students to reflect on the importance of intergenerational dialogue, knowledge sharing and collective action in addressing contemporary gender challenges. Speaking at the inaugural session, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue in strengthening gender justice initiatives. “Gender equality requires sustained engagement across generations, where experience, new ideas and collective commitment come together to build more inclusive and equitable social spaces,” she said. She said that universities must serve as platforms for critical discussion and collaborative action on issues of gender and social justice. Dean, College Development Council  KU, Prof. Aneesa Shafi, said that it is important to utilise the potential of each generation and create meaningful networks that can translate ideas into actionable solutions for achieving gender equality. In her keynote address, Prof. Pamela Singla, Department of Social Work, University of Delhi, spoke about the role of intergenerational engagement in strengthening feminist scholarship and practice, emphasizing the need for collaborative frameworks that address evolving gender concerns in society. Earlier, in her welcome address, Coordinator, CWSR KU Dr Roshan Ara, highlighted the objectives of the workshop and underlined the Centre’s continued efforts to promote research, dialogue and awareness on issues related to gender and social development. The two-day workshop featured technical sessions by experts and academicians on various aspects of gender equality, intergenerational dialogue, policy perspectives and contemporary gender challenges. The proceedings of the event were conducted by Dr. Shazia Malik, faculty at CWSR KU, who also proposed the vote of thanks.