Week-long FDP begins at GCW M A Road
KS News Desk
Srinagar, Jul 15: The week-long Faculty Development Programme (FDP) titled Emerging Research Trends in Science organised by Government College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar commenced here on Tuesday.
Director Colleges Prof. (Dr.) Sheikh Ajaz Bashir was the Chief Guest at the inaugural function held at the colleges auditorium.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Nodal Principal (Kashmir) who also serves as Dean Academic Affairs Cluster University (CU) Srinagar Prof. Seema Naz, Registrar CU Srinagar Prof. Wilayat Hussain Rizvi, Principal Amar Singh College Prof. Aijaz Ahmed Hakak and Principal AAAM College Bemina Prof. Mudasir Afshan.
In his keynote address, Director Colleges appreciated the initiative of the college to organize the FDP on a relevant theme.
Addressing the young faculty members, Prof. Ajaz asked them to think how they want to spend their years of active service.
"Emoluments will come to you. But what is important is what is going to be your contribution to higher education. Don't be in a college on the basis of biometric attendance. Be there on the basis of your engagement with the students. It should be a mentor-mentee kind of mechanism. It should not be a monologue," he said.
He referred to the ensuing academic session and the challenge of rolling out the fourth year of the UG programme under NEP-2020 with two clear-research and honors- verticals.
Director Colleges also assured the faculty that the placement cases are being resolved on fast track cases. This month we are going to launch an online portal for these placements. Now nobody has to come to directorate of colleges. You have to apply online for the placement and your cases will be moved to technical committee twice in a year and thereby to DPC, he said.
Referring to the overwhelming response of students for the ongoing admission process in colleges, Prof. Ajaz said the department has been able to register 54,000 students for admissions this year.
"We should understand how big a change they can bring if we stand by their side," he said.
In her address, Nodal Principal (Kashmir), Prof. Seema Naz also referred to the crucial fourth year of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme under NEP-2020 from the ensuing session.
For the first time in the colleges, we have to go for the research vertical and we are all deliberating on how we will execute it in our institutions though no doubt it is a big challenge," Prof. Seema said.
Prof. Seema Naz said when we talk about implementing anything, it does not only have to make the students aware, but more importantly the faculty members should be aware about the nuances and then only they can mentor the students in the right manner.
I think this is a very good platform and a time to talk about the research trends in science. This college is a premier college and has always been known for conducting programs on pertinent themes," she said while referring to the theme of FDP.
She said the programme is an effort in the same direction.
"I congratulate the principal and staff and I hope meaningful deliberations happen throughout this one week FDP," she said.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq referred to the relevance of the FDP theme.
Applications of technology and innovation in interdisciplinary research is witnessing a boom and it has become imperative for our faculty members to keep pace with new research and techniques that are expanding at an exponential rate," she said.
She said programmes like this serve as an excellent opportunity of learning, upskilling and meaningful networking so that ideas can evolve, skills can be sharpened and professional connections can fructify into bigger futures.
In her concept note of FDP, Course Coordinator and HoD Chemistry, Prof. Majida Maqbool listed the various themes to be covered during the week-long deliberations including Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning in Transforming the Society, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Advancements, Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology and Sustainable Science & Environmental Research.
She said the FDP comprises of two daily sessions, each lasting two hours followed by a panel discussion for 30 minutes.
On the occasion, the electronic version of the Coffee Table Book of the college was launched by Director Colleges. The book is an attempt to record the past, present and future potential of this glorious institution.
A book on Machine Learning & Cyber-security (AI for Threat Detection & Prevention) authored by senior faculty members of Department of Computer Sciences, Prof. Raashid Ashraf Malik and Dr. Asif Iqbal Kawoosa was also released on the occasion.
Dr. Momina Nazir from Department of Chemistry was felicitated in recognition of successfully obtaining a patent titled Nano Fungicidal Composition and Method Thereof. Similarly, Dr. Parsa Sarosh from Department of Electronics was felicitated for her patent titled Adaptive Headlight Control with lamp Deflection for Vehicles.
Dr. Momina Nazir presented the formal Vote of Thanks. Earlier, the guests received guard of honor from the college NCC cadets. The programme formally began with the national anthem followed by the College Tarana.
New Delhi, May 12: A massive protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) broke out near the Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday, against the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG this year. The exam was held on May 3, following which allegations of paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and central agencies. Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, and said the examination will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately. In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Jammu, March 10: J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the status of vacancies and the progress of recruitments being undertaken through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) across various departments of the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by the concerned Administrative Secretaries, Chairperson JKSSB, Secretary JKPSC and other concerned representatives from different departments. While reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for expeditious filling of all critical vacancies to strengthen governance and improve public service delivery. He called upon all Administrative Secretaries to hold regular follow-up meetings with their departments and recruitment agencies to ensure that pending issues are resolved and vacancies are filled at the earliest. He emphasized that timelines fixed for ongoing recruitment drives must be strictly adhered to, and directed that all posts received by the recruiting agencies should be advertised without delay. The Chief Secretary further advised the recruiting agencies to prepare and publish examination calendars simultaneously, enabling aspirants to have clarity regarding the schedule of examinations and adequate time to prepare. During the review, the Chief Secretary also took note of several bottlenecks affecting certain recruitments in JKPSC and JKSSB. He examined each issue in detail and directed the concerned departments to issue necessary clarifications and resolve procedural hurdles immediately so that the recruitment process is not delayed. Observing that prolonged recruitment cycles often create uncertainty for job aspirants, the Chief Secretary underscored the importance of conducting recruitment within a defined timeframe. He noted that a predictable recruitment cycle would allow applicants to plan their careers better and reduce anxiety among candidates. During the meeting, the Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), M.Raju presented a comprehensive overview of vacant posts across government departments. The data revealed that a total of 40,661 posts are currently vacant in different departments, including 3,808 Gazetted, 24,507 Non-Gazetted, and 12,351 Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) posts. Among major departments, Health & Medical Education accounts for a significant share of vacancies with 2,497 Gazetted, 8,088 Non-Gazetted and 2,712 MTS posts, while other departments with substantial vacancies include Agriculture Production, Power Development, Finance, Revenue, Forest, Public Works (R&B) and Youth Services & Sports. While reviewing the recruitment being undertaken by the JKSSB for Non-Gazetted and MTS posts the Chairperson SSB, Vikas Kundal revealed that since 2019 the Board has received 46,744 posts, out of which 9,260 were withdrawn, leaving 37,484 posts for recruitment. The Board has already completed selections for 32,956 posts, including 27,449 selections pertaining to this period. He further added that at present, 10,035 posts remain under different stages of recruitment with JKSSB. These include 2,532 posts yet to be advertised, 4,768 posts at the examination stage, 1,258 at the selection stage, and 1,477 posts under live advertisements awaiting completion of the recruitment process. Meanwhile the Secretary, JKPSC, Bashir Ahmad Dar apprised the meeting about the status of posts referred to the JKPSC for recruitment. He divulged that at present, 1,745 Gazetted posts are under process with the Commission out of these, against 1,573 posts selection schedule has already been drawn, while 172 posts are yet to be scheduled due to certain procedural issues. He also gave out that a recruitment timeline has been worked out by the Commission for filling these posts. As per the schedule, 630 selections are targeted for completion by March 2026, 476 during April–May 2026, 158 during June–July 2026, and 309 during August–September 2026. Additionally department-wise analysis shows that the highest number of posts with JKPSC pertains to Health & Medical Education (872 posts) followed by School Education (470 posts), General Administration (170 posts) and Higher Education (129 posts), among others. The meeting was informed that all departments have shared the latest status of advertised posts, vacant positions and posts proposed to be referred to recruiting agencies. It was resolved that all clear vacancies without legal or procedural issues will be referred to the respective recruiting agencies at the earliest for timely recruitment.
Jammu, Jan 18: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma Sunday said that the remarkable achievements of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth are a powerful testament to what can be accomplished through fair opportunities, modern infrastructure and unwavering government support. Addressing the gathering during the SRIJAN initiative conference, the Minister stated that the success of young athletes clearly demonstrates that with the right ecosystem in place, the UT youth are capable of overcoming every challenge and competing confidently at national and international platforms. Highlighting the core focus areas of the SRIJAN programme, Satish Sharma said "the initiative is playing a transformative role in strengthening the sports landscape of the Union Territory by expanding grassroots sports infrastructure across Jammu, Kashmir and other regions. This is being done by ensuring transparent, merit-based selections free from any bias; integrating sports with education and skill development; promoting greater participation of girls and enhancing inclusivity and establishing sports as a dignified and sustainable career option with viable livelihood opportunities, he said0. He reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment and said that sustained efforts were underway to create international-standard sports facilities, including modern cricket stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar. He also highlighted the strengthening of Khelo India Centres, promotion of traditional sports such as Dangal and enhanced collaboration with the Union Ministry to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a national sports hub. “As Sports Minister, I assure our athletes that the government stands firmly with them. Our focus is not only on infrastructure creation but also on nurturing talent, discipline and confidence among the youth,” he said. The Minister lauded the determination, resilience and dedication of young sportspersons, describing them as the living legacy of the SRIJAN mission. He urged them to continue training with passion, remain disciplined and dream fearlessly, assuring them of full institutional support at every step of their journey. Satish Sharma expressed hope that the conference would serve as the foundation of a new era where every talented child, from the mountains of Kashmir to the plains of Jammu, is provided an equal opportunity to shine on the global stage. He concluded by reiterating the government’s resolve to make sports a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, social inclusion and regional pride in Jammu and Kashmir. Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta and prominent persons from different fields and states along with senior officers of the Youth Services and Sports Department, were also present on the occasion.
Arshid Ahmad Malikmalik121arshid@gmail.comThe serene valley of Pahalgam known for its breathtaking landscapes,was shaken to its core by a brutal and inhuman attack that claimed innocent lives and left the nation in shock.On 22 April 2025 afternoon,a group of terrorists in Pahalgam,J&K leaving 26 tourists dead and many more injured.The attack was widely condemned by people across the country with many leaders and citizens expressing their outrage and grief.Even just after the attack the people from every nook and corner of Kashmir mourned and strongly condemned this brutal and inhuman act and we saw candlelight protests from different places of Kashmir in solidarity with the victim families who lost their loved ones in this Coward Act.Besides, we saw some heartwarming stories of Kashmiris helping tourists during this horrific attack.Some Kashmiri Youth took the initiative to help tourists, providing them with medical care and transportation to safe areas.Their actions showed that even in times of crisis,there are individuals who prioritize humanity over adversity.Likewise, Aadil Hussain Shah a pony rider and a sole breadwinner in his home lost his life while attempting to protect tourists by tackling gun men.Another example of bravery was demonstrated by a Kashmiri shawl vendor, Sajad Ahmad Bhat who risked his life to help injured tourists.He carried some to safety on his back and provided water to those in need.Moreover,taxi drivers and hotel owners offered free rides and services to tourists, guiding them to safety.These acts highlights Kashmiri community's commitment to humanity, hospitality and unity even in the face of adversity.These acts of kindness serve as a powerful counter-narrative to the misconception that Kashmiris support to condone violence.Instead, they highlight the community's resilience, empathy and dedication to peace.In the aftermath of this excruciating attack, certain media outlets of our nation,often referred to as "Godi Media" left no stone unturned to sensationalize the stories to grab the attention.They often spread misinformation and promote biased narratives leading to polarization and erosion of trust in the media.In the wake of this attack "Godi Media" claimed that the terrorists selectively targeted Hindus after checking their names.However,the list of victims revealed that 15 out of 26 killed were Muslims, debunking this false narrative.By spreading this unverified claims,these TV Channels aimed to fuel communal tensions and polarization, which could lead to further violence and hatred.This behaviour aligns with a disturbing trend where sections of the media amplify divisive narratives to serve political agendas.Although the tourists who were here and witnessed this attack themselves praised local Kashmiris for their heroic approach in helping them to save their lives.Moreover, the tourists in different parts of the valley are claiming that they are safe and secure.They wanted to convey the message to other parts of India that there is nothing like that which godi media is trying to show through different news channels.They are just spreading misinformation leading to communal violence in the nation.On the next day of this attack,one of the TV Channel of godi media, ABP news anchor Chitra Tripathi faced protests at Ghantaghar Lal chowk after locals said that she was trying to spread fake news about the attack.The protestors including tourism groups,lawyers and civil society members criticized the media particularly for its emphasis on communal issues rather than holding the government accountable.The protests saw slogans condemning terrorism and advocating for Hindu-Muslim unity.The protestors also expressed frustration over the media's selective reporting and the censorship of local voices.From common people to the leaders of the Government in Kashmir, everyone slammed "Godi Media" and hold their anchors responsible for communal disharmony in the nation.With their biased and inflammatory coverage, Kashmiris living across India especially students have been heckled,harrased and faced threats by far-right Hindu groups or even their classmates.From Uttarakhand, Punjab, to Uttar Pradesh, landlords are pushing Kashmiri tenants out; and shopkeepers are refusing to trade with them.Several Kashmiri students are sleeping at airports as they try to make their way home.However,It's essential to hold such media outlets accountable for their actions and promote responsible journalism that prioritizes fact-checking, balance, and accuracy.By doing so, we can work towards creating a more informed and compassionate society where communal harmony and peace are valued.The author has done masters in Political Science from University of Kashmir and is currently a Socio-Political Activist and Chairperson of Liberal Youth Club Soibugh.
Srinagar, June 28: The School Education Department (SED) has released the Draft Transfer Policy-2026 and initiated the process for rolling out the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD)-2026, paving the way for a comprehensive, online and merit-based transfer exercise for its teaching fraternity across Jammu and Kashmir. The draft policy, placed in the public domain for 15 days, invites comments, suggestions and objections from stakeholders before its formal notification. It marks the department's third structured transfer exercise after similar drives conducted in 2023 and 2024. The draft has been uploaded on the official websites of the School Education Department to ensure transparency and wider public participation in finalising the policy. According to the draft, the proposed policy aims to establish a transparent, fair and accountable framework for transfers and postings of teachers, masters, lecturers, headmasters, principals, Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and equivalent officers across the Union Territory. "The proposed policy seeks to ensure equitable deployment of staff, particularly in remote and underserved areas, while maintaining uninterrupted academic functioning and keeping students' interests at the centre of the transfer process," the draft reads. Transfers will ordinarily be processed through a dedicated Online Transfer Portal, with the Annual Transfer Drive scheduled to be completed before the commencement of every academic session. However, the policy also allows offline transfers in exceptional administrative circumstances with the approval of the competent authority. The draft introduces a revised zonal tenure system by categorising schools into five zones based on accessibility. Employees posted in Zones I, II and III will ordinarily serve three years in a school, while those serving in the more difficult Zones IV and V will have tenures of two years and one year, respectively. Employees completing their tenure in inaccessible Zone-V areas will be given preference for postings in comparatively accessible locations. To address disparities in staff distribution, the policy proposes rationalisation and redeployment of surplus teachers based on pupil-teacher ratio, student enrolment, subject requirements and institutional needs. It, however, stipulates that no rationalisation exercise should leave any institution without adequate teaching staff or adversely affect classroom instruction. The draft identifies five categories of transfers—general, mutual, administrative, compassionate and special rotational transfers. Compassionate transfers may be considered in cases involving severe medical conditions, benchmark disabilities, widowhood, safety concerns and other humanitarian grounds, subject to documentary verification. The policy also proposes special provisions for government-employed spouses, women employees, single parents, widows, divorcees, employees nearing retirement and persons with benchmark disabilities. Employees aged 58 years and above would ordinarily not be posted to the most difficult Zones IV and V. The draft also provides for inter-cadre transfers under specified circumstances, including marriage and exceptional medical or security grounds. A key feature of the proposed policy is the introduction of a Transfer Assessment Matrix (TAM)—an online point-based merit system that allocates weightage for service in difficult areas, age, disability, spouse posting, outstanding academic performance, national and UT-level teacher awards, serious illness, proximity to retirement and caregiving responsibilities to objectively determine transfer priority. The draft also lays down an indicative annual transfer calendar. Vacancies will be published in April, applications invited in May, merit lists and representations processed in June, and transfer orders issued during June and July. To address transfer-related disputes, the policy proposes a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism at the institutional, district and Union Territory levels, with representations to be ordinarily disposed of within 15 days. However, the proposed policy will not apply to Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) and Regularised Rehbar-e-Taleem (RReT) teachers, whose appointments remain school-specific unless separate government orders are issued. An official said the ATD has been revived following the successful implementation of similar exercises in 2023 and 2024, with the objective of making teacher transfers more transparent, equitable and technology-driven while strengthening accountability and improving human resource management in SED.
Srinagar, June 18: In a significant achievement for Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Misba Rehman, a PhD scholar in the Faculty of Fisheries, has secured an international research grant of US$6,500 from the US-based Wild Animal Initiative. The grant will support the project, “Assessing Behavioural and Physiological Welfare Indicators for the Kashmir Loach (Triplophysa kashmirensis),” led by Dr Syed Talia Mushtaq as Principal Investigator, with Misba Rehman as lead applicant. The study focuses on generating scientific evidence on the welfare indicators of the critically endangered Kashmir Loach, an endemic fish species of Kashmir, to support science-based conservation and management strategies. Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai congratulated Misba Rehman and Dr Syed Talia Mushtaq, stating that the achievement reflects the growing global recognition of research at SKUAST-K and strengthens the university’s commitment to impactful research and biodiversity conservation. Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, Prof. Farooz Ahmad Bhat, described the grant as a major accomplishment, noting that the project addresses an important yet understudied area of fish welfare and conservation. Echoing these views, Head Division of Fisheries Resource Management, Dr Tasaduq Hussain Shah, said that the international funding reflects the scientific merit and growing relevance of the research being undertaken by the Division. Additionally, Dr Syed Talia Mushtaq emphasized that the project will generate critical baseline data to support the conservation of threatened Himalayan freshwater species. Expressing gratitude, Misba Rehman acknowledged the support of the university and her supervisor, stating that the grant will enable innovative research to better understand the conservation and welfare needs of the Kashmir Loach. The award further underscores SKUAST-K’s growing international recognition in biodiversity conservation and sustainable aquatic resource research.
Srinagar June 02: A first-of-its-kind three-day Advanced School of Antenna (ASA) 2026 concluded at the University of Kashmir (KU). The programme was organised by KU in collaboration with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, IEEE AP-S/CRFID Delhi Chapter and IEEE AP-S/MTT-S, Kolkata Chapter, on the theme “Antennas in Biomedical and Biotelemetry Devices.” The three-day programme aimed to promote knowledge exchange and advance research at the intersection of antenna engineering and healthcare technologies by bringing together leading experts, researchers, faculty members and students from across the country. Speaking at the valedictory session, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, congratulated the organisers for bringing the prestigious international programme to the University and highlighted the growing importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing contemporary healthcare and technological challenges. "ASA 2026 provided an excellent platform for researchers, faculty members and students to engage with leading experts and emerging innovations in antenna technologies and biomedical applications," she said. Dean, School of Engineering KU, Prof. Mohammad Tariq Banday, and Incharge Director, NIT Srinagar, Prof. Roohie Naaz, emphasized the importance of collaborative research and academic partnerships in advancing emerging technologies and fostering innovation-driven learning. Head, Department of Electronics & Instrumentation Technology, KU, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Khanday, said that the event created valuable opportunities for participants to interact with internationally renowned experts and gain insights into contemporary developments in antenna design and biomedical applications. Prof. Omar Ramahi, University of Waterloo, Canada, and Prof. Mahesh Abegaonkar, IIT Delhi and Chairman, IEEE AP-S Delhi Chapter, spoke on the recent advances in antenna technologies and stressed on the need for sustained research efforts to address emerging challenges in biomedical and wireless communication systems. Earlier, in his welcome address, Organising Secretary Dr. Javaid Ahmad Sheikh, faculty at the Department of Electronics & Instrumentation Technology, KU, outlined the objectives of the programme and highlighted its focus on bridging fundamental research with real-world healthcare applications. The three-day programme featured keynote lectures, technical sessions and expert discussions on various dimensions of antenna engineering, biomedical devices, biotelemetry systems and emerging wireless technologies. The proceedings of the valedictory session were conducted by Organising Secretary Dr. Javaid Ahmad Sheikh. Earlier the inaugural session, held at the Ibn-e-Khaldun Auditorium, was attended by Dean Academic Affairs KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada; Registrar KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal; Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar; Prof. Omar Ramahi, University of Waterloo, Canada; Prof. Mahesh Abegaonkar, Chairman, IEEE AP-S Delhi Chapter; Dean, School of Engineering KU, Prof. Mohammad Tariq Banday; besides heads of departments, faculty members, researchers and students from KU and NIT Srinagar.
