Governor chairs governing body meeting of UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies (UMIKS)

Back
News Srinagar, India - 1st June 2013

H E N. N. Vohra, GovernorSrinagar, June 1: N. N. Vohra, Governor, has emphasized the need for making the UNESCO Madanjit Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies (UMIKS) a vibrant centre of excellence for undertaking quality teaching and research on social, cultural, historical, governance and other aspects, in the historical, contemporary and future context, to secure the unique objectives of this Institute. The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the Kashmir University and Chairman of the Governing Body of this Institute, was chairing the Governing Body meeting of the UNESCO Madanjit Singh Institute of Kashmir Studies at Raj Bhavan here today. While discussing various issues relating to the functioning of the Institute, the Governor emphasized the value of approaching eminent academics, who are known experts in identified fields, to deliver lectures at the UMIKS for the benefit of the scholars and students pursuing their studies and research projects at the Institute. He added that the contents of the proposed courses of study and the subjects of research should be relevant and such as would attract scholars from the SAARC countries to gain admissions to the UMIKS. He also emphasised the importance of ensuring that the outcomes of the studies and researches are of current and future relevance to countries of South Asia. The learning courses should also be such as would contribute to the employability of the pass outs. Referring to the Masters programme launched by the Institute, the Governor observed that its syllabus should be suitably relooked, keeping in mind the views expressed by the members of the Governing Body. Referring to the need for a well stocked library at the Institute, the Governor observed that documentations and books available with the South Asia University and the SAARC Secretariat could be looked at and suitable understandings arrived at for UMIKS students utilizing the available literature. The Governor suggested to the Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, and the Director of the Institute to initiating steps at least 6 months in advance of the 2014 admissions to attract the best scholars from the SAARC countries. The Chancellor welcomed and thanked Prof. Mushir-ul-Hassan and R. P. Agrawal for accepting his request to be members of the Governing Body of UMIKS. The Members of the Governing Body put forth several valuable suggestions for the future growth of this Institute. Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Mr. R. P. Agrawal, former Secretary, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development; Prof. Mushir-ul-Hassan, former Vice Chancellor, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi; Prof. Siddiq Wahid, Special Invitee; Prof. Veena Sikri, Vice Chairperson, India Chapter, South Asia Foundation; Prabhakaran, Representative, South Asia Foundation; Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Prof. Zafar Ahmad, Registrar, Kashmir University; Prof. Gul Mohammad Wani, new Director of the Institute: and other Members of the Governing Body of the Institute participated in the meeting.

Source: Greater Kashmir