Valley Observer Weekly Newspaper of Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 13: Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar, in collaboration with Rapture Biotech and sponsored by Jammu & Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKSTIC, successfully concluded Winter Internship Programme today.

The programme, Commenced on 29 December, 2025, emerged as a strong model of industry-academia collaboration, aimed at enhancing student employability and industry readiness. About two hundred students from the departments of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology participated in the internship.

The programme offered intensive hands-on training and real-time exposure to laboratory and industrial practices, covering key areas such as Phytochemistry Fundamentals, Pharmacognosy and Herbal Standardization, Antibiotic Assays (MIC/MBC), Quality Control and Quality Assurance, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Molecular Biology Techniques, and Plant Tissue Culture, with special emphasis on SOPs, documentation, and laboratory compliance.

Speaking on the occasion, Principal, Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Prof. (Dr) Tehmina Yousuf, deliberated upon the significance of hands-on training and skill-based education in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).

Coordinator Internships, Dr. Abid Hussain Banday, highlighted the importance of internships in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements.

The initiative effectively bridged the gap between academic instruction and industry expectations, equipping students with practical skills and a clearer pathway toward careers in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, research laboratories, and allied sectors.

The programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants by the respective Heads of Departments, marking the successful completion of the internship.

Jammu, January 9: In a move to strengthen the quality architecture of Higher Education in the Union Territory, the Director Colleges J&K ,Dr. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, chaired a marathon meeting of Principals of all Government Degree Colleges of Jammu Division to reinforce academic discipline, student support systems and governance in alignment with the Mission and Vision of the Department.
Dr. Ravinder Tickoo, Nodal Principal, Jammu Division Colleges, initiated the proceedings and apprised the gathering regarding the core objectives and agenda of the meeting. Dr. Romesh Kumar Gupta, Principal of the host institution, GGM Science College Jammu, extended a warm welcome and introduced the newly appointed Principals.
Addressing the gathering, the Director Colleges emphasized unified institutional alignment, operational excellence and the need to prioritize the welfare of students. A detailed review of the Department’s digital governance initiatives was undertaken. The Planning & Development Portal was reiterated as the single verified repository of institutional data, enabling real-time reporting, principal-level accountability and streamlined online staff services including Passport NOCs, Foreign Visit permissions, PhD approvals and CAS scrutiny. It was also highlighted that digital interventions, particularly the engagement of need-based Academic Arrangements for the current session, have significantly enhanced efficiency, ease of operations and transparency. Principals were sensitised on maintaining clean, verified and updated data for evidence-based planning and development. The Connect with Policy Planning & Development initiative was also reviewed, and college-wise performance indicators based on timely form submissions and data updation were shared.
Institutional development initiatives were reviewed, including the functioning of Institutional Innovation Councils in 79 colleges, expansion of eYantra Labs in 30 colleges in collaboration with IIT Bombay, and the rollout of SWAYAM Local Chapters to promote blended and credit-based digital learning.
On student welfare, Principals were briefed on strengthening the Mentor–Mentee Programme and the Pyramidal Sports and Co-curricular Model to ensure inclusive participation and structured talent development. The Department’s framework for countering substance abuse was also elaborated, focusing on preventive awareness, vigilant student monitoring and timely institutional support.
The SIGMA – Student Integrated Grievance and Messaging Application Portal was reviewed in detail. Principals were encouraged to enhance student registration and effective utilisation.
A major announcement was the upcoming launch of SCALE – Student Connect for Academic Leverage and Excellence initiative, to be implemented in every Government Degree College. SCALE will provide structured outreach and guidance on NEP-2020, academic progression pathways and career planning.
Developmental works across colleges were also reviewed, and Principals were advised to ensure regular monitoring and close coordination with executing agencies.
The way forward focused on academic discipline, availability of comprehensive time-tables on institutional websites, systematic maintenance of academic records and preparedness for academic audits and quality enhancement exercises.
The Director Colleges emphasised that college staff are the real knowledge deliverers and the strongest drivers of institutional quality, calling upon all teaching and non-teaching personnel to collectively pitch in for academic excellence. Principals were also advised to prioritise genuine service-related and workplace concerns, recognising that a motivated workforce is central to sustaining quality education. The Director emphasised the need to prioritize the overall welfare of students, underscoring the point that an Informed Student is an Empowered student.
Concluding the meeting, the Director Colleges urged all Principals to collectively own the Department’s mission by reinforcing student-centric governance, transparency and accountability, so that Government Degree Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir emerge as vibrant centers of academic excellence and societal transformation.

SJ MOSVI

Baramulla, January 6: Professor M. Y. Khan recently assumed charge as the Principal of Government Degree College (GDC) Hadipora, Rafiabad, in Baramulla district.

A formal induction ceremony was held on the occasion, during which Prof. Khan was warmly received by Prof. (Dr.) Shamim Ahmad Dar, who had been holding the additional charge of Principal, along with the faculty and staff of the college. The staff members expressed confidence in his leadership and assured him of their full cooperation.

Professor Khan is widely known for his efficiency, dedication, and strong commitment to academic excellence. His appointment is expected to usher in a new phase of growth and innovation at the institution, further strengthening its academic and administrative framework.

The appointment is also being viewed as a positive step toward inclusive and progressive academic leadership, serving as an inspiration for both educators and students alike.

Prior to his present assignment, Professor M. Y. Khan has served in several degree colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, including GDC Baderwah, GDC (Boys) Baramulla, GDC Sopore, and GDC for Women, Nawakadal.

Professor Khan possesses extensive teaching experience in the discipline of Commerce and brings with him wide-ranging administrative exposure.

Srinagar January 6: In a significant academic achievement for the University of Kashmir (KU), faculty member Dr. Riffat John, Department of Botany, has been awarded a major research grant under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Dr. John has secured the SPARC project titled “Unstructured but Essential: Understanding and Exploiting Intrinsically Disordered Proteins for Climate-Resilient Maize” under the Agri and Food Technologies theme. The project has been approved by the SPARC Apex Committee chaired by the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, in her message, congratulated Dr. John and said, “The award reflects the University’s growing research footprint and its emphasis on meaningful international collaborations. Such initiatives strengthen interdisciplinary research and contribute to addressing region-specific agricultural and climate challenges.”

She further said that the University remains committed to supporting faculty-led research that aligns scientific inquiry with societal and environmental needs while fostering global academic engagement.

Dean Research, KU, Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat also congratulated Dr. John on the achievement and said, “Securing a SPARC grant is highly competitive and reflects the quality and global relevance of the research being undertaken at the varsity.”

The two-year international collaborative project involves research partnership with The Pennsylvania State University, USA, and the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR), Ludhiana. The project focuses on advancing proteomics-based understanding of maize resilience to cold and low-temperature stress, with relevance for crop adaptation in hilly and cold agro-climatic regions of northern India.

Dr. John will serve as the Principal Investigator from the University of Kashmir, with the collaboration enabling access to advanced protein interaction and intrinsically disordered protein analysis platforms.

The award strengthens the University’s participation in nationally coordinated international research programmes.