Dissolving Boundaries, Evolving Education: JU to Celebrate Foundation Day on the 5th of September

A curtain Raiser for the foundation Day to be celebrated on 5th September was organized in the Committee Room, Vice-Chancellor’s Secretariat. Interacting with the media person, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai spoke about the first-ever celebration of  Foundation day of the University of Jammu on the 5th of September, 2022 at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium. “The idea behind celebrating the foundation day of the university is to bring all the stakeholders together for benefit of the university,” said Vice-Chancellor.  He added that this Foundation Day is an occasion to come together and celebrate our proud history with our community of students, staff, alumni, and supporters. While we look back on our past achievements and the challenges and difficulties we have overcome, we must also remember the passion, professionalism, and commitment that our non-teaching staff and the student community have shown over time to take the university to the new height of achievements. It has always been part of the collective dream and desire of the larger community of the university to see this institution among the leading institution in academics, sports, cultural pursuits, innovation, and dedication to the progress of our great Indian Nation.

He maintained that “every generation must write their history so that weaknesses can be addressed and strengths can be recognized.” The such event also helps an institution to increase its global visibility and also changes the perception of the University among people, He further briefed that Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Sh  Manoj Sinha shall be the Chief Guest on the occasion, whereas Chancellor-KR Manglam University and former Vice Chancellor of  Delhi University, Prof  Dinesh Singh will grace the occasion as Special Guest.

Invoking the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the National Education Policy (NEP), Vice Chancellor, Prof. Umesh Rai said that emphasis should be laid on the interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approach in higher education.

“The basic idea of NEP is to dissolve boundaries between different disciplines and evolve education,” said Vice Chancellor, adding that under this programme stress should be made to strengthen existing subjects before introducing new ones. In this context,  he also spoke about  Some of the initiatives which the University has taken recently which stand unique and are reflective of its aim to take education to the larger segment of society. The initiative has been taken to set up Women Collegiate Board for working women who have been deprived of education because of certain reasons, the Basic Life Support Programme, and the Land to Lab program for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between the academic fraternity of the university and those engaged in the fields that exist beyond the realm of the university.

In response to a media query, Vice Chancellor said that NCC, Sports, NSS and Cultural activities are also important medium of education. “Academic Council of the varsity in its recent meeting has passed a resolution of including credits for the students participating in NCC, Sports, NSS and Cultural activities.” Elaborating on the point further he said that  those students representing University at District, State, National and International levels shall be given additional marks, for which a committee shall be constituted to decide the percentage of marks.

Prof Umesh Rai further asserted that besides National Scholarship Programme, University is also working to raise funds through Alumni Association for students from weaker sections. He also stated that to make this foundation day memorable, the University shall collectively pledge for “Dissolving Boundaries, Evolving Education”

Earlier, Registrar of the University, Prof Arvind Jasrotia said that on the celebration of the Foundation Day, Dogri translation of the Indian Constitution shall also be released by the Chief Guest.

Prof Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof Prakash C Anathal, Dean Students Welfare and Prof Shyam Narayan, Convener, Media Committee also graced the occasion