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.

Srinagar, Jan 8: In a latest development, the Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK) has constituted an independent Election Commission to conduct and observe the elections of the association in a transparent, democratic, and time-bound manner. In a handout issued here, the Election Commission shall comprise former President PSAJK G N Var while former Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Mohammed Rafi and Chairman civil society Qayoom Wani have been designated as observers of the commission. The other members include MD Green scan consultations Farooq Ahamd Ashai, MD Thinksite Mahmood Rashid, Mushtaq Canny, Majid Bhat central PSAJK, Chairperson SRM Welkin Sopore Baseema Hajini, Marzia Javaid PSAJK, Advocate Tehseen Ahmad, Nazir Ahmad (former president Kupwar), Hafizullah Khudwani (Doda) and Maulana Ghulam Qadir Banday. "It was resolved by majority in advisory committee that the Elections of PSAJK shall be conducted under the supervision and observation of the Election Commission in three phases in all the districts of J&K UT," the handout reads. The district bodies have been asked to complete the electoral roll of members and submit in central office Bemina by or before January 30 of 2026.

Srinagar Jan 8: The Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir on Thursday said that the designation of Persian department as Gyan Bharatam for Cluster Centre for manuscript preservation will strengthen KU's role as key contributor to national cultural, research priorities. The statement comes in the wake of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, designating KU’s Persian Department as a Gyan Bharatam Cluster Centre for J&K for a five-year term. The selection has been done in recognition of the Department’s sustained academic performance and expertise in manuscript studies. Prof. Nilofer Khan welcomed the recognition and said the designation of the Department of Persian as a Gyan Bharatam Cluster Centre reflects the University’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding the nation's manuscript heritage. "This initiative will help preserve invaluable intellectual traditions for future generations through systematic and scientific methods," she said. She added that the project would strengthen varsity’s role as a key contributor to national cultural and research priorities. The Department will undertake large-scale projects related to the identification, cataloguing, preservation, conservation, digitisation, and research of manuscripts across Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative will cover valuable manuscripts housed in government, semi-government, public and private repositories, as well as temples, khanqahs, gurdwaras, trusts, and personal collections. Jammu and Kashmir is home to nearly 70,000 to 90,000 manuscripts, many of which suffered extensive damage during the 2014 floods, resulting in the loss of a significant portion of the region’s documentary heritage. The project will be implemented in line with the guidelines of the Gyan Bharatam programme, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi, and will include the establishment of sub-centres in Jammu and other parts of the Valley to ensure wider outreach and access. The Department of Persian KU already hosts a Manuscripts Resource Centre (MRC) under the National Mission for Manuscripts and has successfully completed several major projects supported by UGC, ICHR, ICSSR, and the Ministry of Culture. The initiative is expected to play a key role in restoring, documenting, and researching rare manuscripts and Indian literary heritage in Jammu and Kashmir over the next five years. The initiative will be implemented under a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier between Gyan Bharatam, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Department of Persian, University of Kashmir, for a period of five years.

Srinagar, Jan 8: The University of Kashmir (KU) has made the biometric attendance mandatory for the students of its affiliated colleges from Academic session 2026-27. The development comes in wake of the complaints about the thin attendance of the students in various private B.Ed colleges affiliated with the Kashmir University. A circular in this regard  has been issued by the Assistant Registrar Dean Colleges Development Council (DCDC) of the University. "All the Chairpersons and Principals of private affiliated colleges of the University of Kashmir are hereby informed that biometric attendance for all the enrolled students and staff has been made mandatory from the year 2026-27," the KU circular reads. The Principals of all the affiliated colleges have been directed to install biometric attendance machines in their respective institutions on or before the commencement of the Academic year 2026-27 under intimation to the Dean College Development Council of the University. "The college shall also ensure proper upkeep, maintenance, and systematic preservation of all biometric attendance records for future reference and verification," it reads. The Colleges have been directed to comply with this directive "without fail." The move comes in wake of the inspections conducted last year by the DCDC of KU in various B.Ed colleges where most of the students were found absent. An official said that there were complaints about the poor attendance of the students in B.Ed colleges. "The students do not attend their B.Ed classes regularly which defeats the purpose of the course," the official said. Earlier, DCDC of KU earlier barred the B.Ed students to appear in teh semester exams for falling short of attendance. The decision was taken in wake of the surprise inspection conducted by Dean College Development Council (DCDC) in various B.Ed colleges of Kashmir in June-July month of 2025 and several students were found absent from the classes. Following this, the students were directed to attend supplementary classes to complete the recommended attendance for appearing in their exams. Also, the exam of these students was deferred by few months.

Srinagar, Jan 8: The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has pulled up the officers vested with the powers of Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) as their additional assignment, for indulging in administrative works, beyond their domain. As per the order issued by the Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani, the officers having additional DDO powers, have been reprimanded for going beyond their role of duties. "It has come to the notice of the DSEK that many officers of the department vested with DDOs powers are affecting transfers and doing administrative works having no authority to do so," the order reads. As per the order, all these DDOs holding charge in additional capacity have been asked to utilise the powers for the purpose of drawing and disbursing salary and other financial matters within the limits of the authority. "The officers shall not exercise any administrative powers particularly with respect to the transfer of staff," it reads. The DSEK has warned of disciplinary action in case of violation of the order by any officers. "Any deviation from the instant order shall be viewed seriously and invite disciplinary action," it reads.

'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.

Srinagar Jan 07: The UGC–Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), University of Kashmir (KU), on Tuesday began a week-long Faculty Development Programme on Academic Leadership and Resource Management (Interdisciplinary) at the Main Campus. The programme aims to strengthen leadership capacities among faculty members, enhance effective resource planning, and encourage interdisciplinary approaches to academic governance in higher education institutions. In her message, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, highlighted the need for academic leadership that is responsive to institutional change. “Universities today require leaders who can combine academic vision with responsible resource management to ensure quality, equity, and sustainability in higher education.” Speaking at the inaugural session, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, highlighted the importance of continuous faculty development and remarked, “Leadership in academia must evolve with changing educational demands, and programmes like this play a vital role in preparing faculty for administrative and academic responsibilities.” Registrar KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, in his remarks, said that structured training programmes contribute to strengthening institutional efficiency and enable faculty members to engage more effectively with policy, planning, and governance processes. Earlier, in his welcome address, Director MMTTC KU, Prof. Nazir Ahmed Nazir, noted that the programme seeks to build informed academic leaders by integrating leadership skills with effective resource management in contemporary university settings. Prof. Sabiya Mufti, Course Coordinator, presented an overview of the programme, detailing its objectives, structure, and expected learning outcomes. The programme includes a series of expert sessions on academic leadership, institutional governance, resource management, interdisciplinary practices, and policy implementation in higher education. It is being attended by faculty members from various higher educational institutions across the country. The proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Wani, Coordinator MMTTC KU, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Sumeer Gul, Deputy Director MMTTC KU.

KS News Desk Rajouri, Sept 19: In a significant research achievement, Dr. Shahid Ul Islam, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri, in collaboration with experts from IIT Delhi, the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDAARS, USA), and the University of Oulu (Finland), has mapped and modelled soil erosion trends in the Jhelum Catchment.This first-of-its-kind study in Jammu and Kashmir comprehensively assesses soil erosion at the catchment scale.The findings have been published in Hydrological Processes (Wiley, Q1 Journal) and the research was supported by the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKST&IC), Government of Jammu and Kashmir.The study integrates advanced spatial modelling tools (RUSLE & InVEST SDR), climate projections (CMIP6, IMD), and GIS-based analysis to forecast soil erosion from 2020 to 2090 under two climate scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585).Results reveal a projected rise in soil loss rates up to 2090, with severe risks under both moderate and high emission pathways. Scenario-based projections also highlight the dynamic impacts of land use and soil class changes on agriculture and forests, offering actionable insights for climate-resilient planning and sustainable land management in fragile mountain catchments.Speaking on the significance, Dr. Shahid Ul Islam said soil erosion is not just an environmental concern but a direct threat to agricultural productivity, water security, and ecosystem stability."Our study provides a scientific foundation for policymakers and planners to design strategies that can mitigate long-term risks while ensuring sustainable development," he said.Vice-Chancellor BGSBU Prof. Jawaid Iqbal congratulated Dr. Shahid, noting that such impactful research strengthens the Universitys global academic standing and reflects its contribution to addressing climate change and sustainable developmentRegistrar BGSBU,Abhishek Sharma also extended greetings, emphasizing that the publication demonstrates the academic excellence of the faculty and inspires young scholars to pursue globally relevant research.Er. Vaseem Ahmad Shahnaz, HoD Civil Engineering also congratulated Dr. Shahid ul Islam and said such contributions assist in taking our Department and the University on the global academic map.This milestone underscores BGSBUs growing commitment to advancing research and innovation that addresses pressing environmental and societal challenges at both regional and global levels.

KS News DeskAwantipora, Sept 21: In the 2025 edition of the prestigious Top 2% Global Scientists list compiled by Stanford University, Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo has been featured for the sixth consecutive year. Prof. Romshoo, an expert in hydrology, glaciology, and climate sciences, has earned several national and international recognitions and is an elected fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, the Indian Society of Remote Sensing and the Indian Society of Geomatics.This years list also includes several other faculty members from IUST reflecting the universitys growing research profile. Prof. Shakeel Ahmad from the Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr. Basharat Nabi Dar from the Department of Food Technology, Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Rather from the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad Macha from the Watson and Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine and Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Khanday from the Department of Physics have been recognized among the top 2 percent of scientists globally.Congratulating the faculty members on this achievement, Prof. Romshoo stated that IUSTs sustained efforts to strengthen its research ecosystem are yielding tangible outcomes. He noted that the university is transitioning into a research-intensive institution actively engaged in high-impact work across critical areas of science and technology.Highlighting the importance of academic collaborations, Prof. Romshoo added that partnerships with leading institutions, including the IITs and other institutes of national importance, are instrumental in nurturing talent and expanding research horizons.He remarked that the inclusion of IUST researchers in a globally recognized list is a testament to the universitys growing research output, its quality and the increasing citation impact of its scholarly work.

KS News Desk Srinagar, Sept 22: In a remarkable achievement that reflects its growing research prominence, 14 scientists from the University of Kashmir (KU) have once again secured a place in the prestigious Stanford University Rankings 2025, featuring among the worlds top researchers whose scholarly contributions continue to impact global academia.The KU scientists who feature in the 2025 list include Adil Gani (Food Technology), Idrees Ahmad Wani (Food Technology), Farooq Ahmad Masoodi (Food Technology) ; Mudasir Ahmad (Computer Science), Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo (Earth Sciences), Faheem Arjamend Sheikh (Nanotechnology), Shabir Ahmad Parah (Electronics), Ghulam Jeelani (Earth Sciences), Firdous Ahmad Shah (Mathematics), Arshid Bashir (Chemistry), Lateef Ahmad Malik (Chemistry), Shariefuddin Pirzada (Mathematics) and Reyaz Hassan Mir (Pharmaceutical sciences).Among the listed scientists, Dr. Adil Gani has been recognised in the career-long impact category, which covers the entire span of a researchers work. This places him in the top 1% of scientists globally, making him the only scientist in the varsity to achieve this distinction.Congratulating the researchers Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, said that the recognition is a matter of immense pride for the entire academic community.This accomplishment speaks volumes about the dedication, intellectual rigour, and global relevance of our facultys research. Their achievements not only elevate the standing of the University of Kashmir but also inspire younger scholars to pursue innovation with passion and integrity, she said.Dean Academic Affairs KU, Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, said that this recognition reflects the consistent quality of scholarship at the University and serves as a motivation for students and young researchers to pursue impactful research.Dean Research KU, Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat, remarked that the consistent presence of KU faculty in this global list reflects a vibrant culture of research and scholarship at the university.Registrar KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, noted that the latest recognition is both an honour and a responsibility and that the "repeated inclusion of KU scientists in top global rankings reaffirms the universitys stature as a centre of academic excellence in the region."The annual rankings, prepared by Stanford University experts, assess over 1,80,000 researchers worldwide using standardised citation indicators including citations, h-index, co-authorship patterns, and composite scores.KUs consistent representation in this elite list over the years is an indicator of the universitys sustained excellence in research across diverse disciplines.

Prestigious global citation rankings recognise their outstanding research impact and contributions: DirectorKS News Desk Srinagar, Sep 24: Eight faculty members from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar have secured a place in the prestigious Top 2% Global Scientists List 2025, compiled annually by Stanford University, USA.The recognition is considered one of the most credible indicators of global research excellence and academic impact.The distinguished faculty members who featured in the list include Prof. MF Wani (MED), Prof. MA Shah (Physics), Prof. Bashir Ahmed Mir (Civil), Dr. Neeraj Gupta (EED), Dr. Vijay Kumar (Physics), Dr. Sandeep Samantaray (CED, Dr. Pravan Kumar Katiyar (M&ME), and Dr. Sandeep Rathee.The ranking is based on the Updated Science-Wide Author Databases of Standardized Citation Indicators, prepared by a team of experts led by Prof. John P.A. Ioannidis at Stanford University. The latest version (Version 8), published on 19 September 2025, uses data updated to August 1, 2025, from Scopus and covers citation records until the end of 2024.The database evaluates scientists on the basis of multiple parameters, including citations, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted h-index, career-long impact, and single-year performance.It also accounts for self-citations, retracted papers (based on the Retraction Watch database), and provides field-specific percentiles across 22 broad scientific domains and 174 subfields.In his message, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, congratulated the faculty members for bringing laurels to the institute.Featuring in the Worlds Top 2% scientists is a matter of immense pride for NIT Srinagar. This achievement not only highlights the individual excellence of our faculty but also strengthens the institutes global reputation in academics and research, he said.Registrar NIT Srinagar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, also hailed the recognition, calling it a reflection of the institutes growing academic vibrancy.The inclusion of our eight faculty members in this global list demonstrates the high-quality research ecosystem at NIT Srinagar. It will inspire our students, research scholars, and young faculty to pursue innovative work and strive for excellence, he said.The single-year ranks focus on research impact within a specific year.In contrast, the career-wise ranks provide a comprehensive evaluation of the scientists research impact across their entire academic career. The rankings are conducted jointly by Stanford University and scientific publisher Elsevier.

KS News Desk Srinagar, Sept 19: The Department of Botany University of Kashmir (KU) hosted a day-long seminar on Scope of Entrepreneurship under Medicinal Plants Sector at the KU main campus.The event was organised in collaboration with the J&K Medicinal Plants Board (JKMPB), Directorate of Ayush J&K.The seminar served as a platform for research scholars, students, and faculty to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in medicinal plantsan industry that is reshaping agricultural fortunes worldwide.With rising global demand, this sector is not only opening new livelihood avenues but also driving research into cures for ailments once considered untreatable.Delivering the presidential address, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, underlined the transformative potential of medicinal plants for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir."Our region is rich in medicinal plant diversity. By fostering entrepreneurship and research, we can generate employment, strengthen healthcare, boost industry, and ensure sustainable development, she said.She assured full institutional support for such initiatives.Registrar KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, stressed the Universitys mission to link research with skill development and livelihood creation. Seminars like these connect academia with industry and government programs, creating real impact for society, he noted.Dr. Shujad Hussain, Assistant Director, Ayush J&K, said the medicinal plants sector could transform local economies by opening fresh avenues of entrepreneurship and employment for the youth.Adding to this, Dr. Wahid-ul-Hassan, Technical Officer, JKMPB, gave an overview of the Central Scheme for Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants. He emphasized the need for collaborative projects to ensure long-term growth of the sector.Head, Department of Botany, KU, Prof. Aijaz Wani, reiterated the importance of exposing students and scholars to entrepreneurial opportunities in medicinal botany. He reaffirmed the Departments commitment to research-driven innovation.Earlier, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Payer, District Ayush Officer, Srinagar, delivered the welcome address. The seminar proceedings were conducted by Prof. Seema Singh, Department of Botany KU, while Dr. Latif Ahmad Peer, also from the Department of Botany KU proposed the vote of thanks.The event concluded with a plantation drive, reflecting the Universitys commitment to conservation and sustainability. Faculty members, scholars, and students from the School of Biological Sciences actively participated.