Jammu: University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a list of sixty two higher educational institutes comprising of central universities, state universities, private universities and eight colleges to which it has granted full autonomy, based on the standard of excellence maintained by these institutions.
The University of Jammu is among the 12 state universities of the country and the only University of JK which has been recognized by the UGC under its new initiative of granting graded autonomy.
On being informed about the UGC’s decisions by Prof. R.D. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Governor N.N. Vohra, who is Chancellor of the University, congratulated the VC and all his colleagues on the well deserved recognition of the good work being done by several departments in this University.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is also the Pro Chancellor of JU, also congratulated the varsity for being granted graded autonomy.
“This reflects the struggle for excellence by the teachers, administration and students of the University equally”, the Chief Minister said while hoping that the University would compete with the best in the country in coming days and years. She said her Government, ever since it came to power, has accorded top priority to the consolidation of educational infrastructure in the State coupled with a much more liberalised regime at the institutes of higher learning with focus on linking quality with autonomy.
This recognition will provide freedom to the University to start new courses, set up new departments, admit foreign students, appoint foreign faculty and establish off campus centre and research parks, without having to approach the University Grants Commission. Further, the University shall also be able to get into academic collaborations with the universities, world over. It will also have autonomy to attract and retain the best faculty by offering a higher incentive package, over and above the sanctioned faculty strength. Its Directorate of Distance Education will now not need to apply separately for recognition from the Distance Education Bureau and will have the choice to offer new courses.
