Amitabh Mattoo, Altaf Bukhari chair meeting of Working Group on Knowledge Initiative

Academicians emphasize on strengthening skill development, job oriented courses

 SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 06: Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, today chaired 3^rd meeting of Working Group constituted to chalk out modalities for operationalization of Knowledge Initiative in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was co-chaired by Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari. Minister of State for Education, Priya Sethi was also present on the occasion.

          The meeting was attended by Australian delegation of academicians which includes Education Counselor in Australian High Commission at Delhi, Dr Amanda Day; Chairman Australia India Institute, Australia, Mr Robert Johanson; Deputy Director Australia India Institute Delhi, Mr Vinod Mirchandani; Chief Finance Officer, Melbourne University, Australia, Mr Allan Tait and Director, Goodwill Exchange, Gauri Arora.

On the occasion, delegation informed the meeting about the Australian Model of Education and the importance of research and knowledge implementation. They also talked about various steps that can be taken to uplift the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Vowing to make this knowledge initiative a huge success, Prof. Mattoo said that the Working Group will look for the best possible practical activities to revamp education system across J&K.

He said the Group holds much significance as its primary aim is to develop Human Resources in the State, generate excellence in Research and Innovation in Higher Education and create world-class institutions and spaces for excellence.

Speaking on the occasion, Altaf Bukhari said that the purpose to hold this meeting is to get the suggestions and understand from academicians about how to improve education system in J&K.

He said, “The Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti is keen for the upliftment of the education sector in J&K and she has given her full support in this regard."  

On the occasion, various academicians put forward their suggestions for transforming education system. The academicians pitched for the strengthening of skill development and job oriented courses based on the modern curriculum. They said that there is a need to look for the subjects which has great market value.

The academicians also emphasized on the need to improve the proper funding for the research programmes in universities across J&K They also suggested for introduction of entrepreneurship as a full time subject in Bachelors Degree in Colleges.

The establishment of model schools in village and tehsil was also suggested. The suggestion for upgrading the curriculum on regular basis also came up in the discussion.

The meeting was also attended by Financial Commissioner Coordination in Resident Commission J&K New Delhi, K.B Aggarwal; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal; Principal Secretary Higher Education, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Vice Chancellors of Kashmir University, Jammu University, IUST, BGSB University, Central University (Kashmir), Director Technical Education, Additional Secretary School Education and officials from IIM Jammu, NIT Srinagar and other concerned officials of Higher Education Department.