SRINAGAR, July 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday presided over the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted Governing Board of Gandhi Memorial College, Srinagar, at the Civil Secretariat.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the meeting saw the participation of key officials including Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar; Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma; and Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Achal Sethi. Also present were Director Colleges, Prof. (Dr.) S. Ajaz Bashir; President, Hindu Education Society Kashmir, Prof. B. L. Zutshi; alongside board members Prof. Ashok Aima, Prof. Veena Pandita, Prof. Verinder Rawal, V. K. Raina, and M. K. Jalali. Representatives from the University of Kashmir, including Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada and Dean, College Development Council Prof. (Dr.) Aneesa Shafi, were also in attendance, as was the Principal of Gandhi Memorial College, Prof. Masood Ahmad Malik.
The Governing Board, under the Lieutenant Governor’s chairmanship, undertook extensive discussions on a spectrum of academic and administrative matters aimed at enhancing the overall operational efficiency and educational standards of the institution. A primary focus was placed on the adoption of the Rules of Business for the Governing Board, establishing a clear framework for its functioning.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the necessity of formulating a comprehensive policy to streamline the administrative and operational framework across the college. This directive is intended to foster a more efficient and effective institutional management system.
Further deliberations within the board encompassed crucial aspects such as the provision of Grant-in-Aid to G. M. College of Education, Bantalab, Jammu. Discussions also revolved around the streamlining of the recruitment process to ensure meritocracy and transparency, and the resolution of pensionary benefits for both existing staff and retired employees who have served since 2002. The augmentation of campus infrastructure to provide a more conducive learning environment was also a key point of discussion.
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP), the board reviewed the existing curriculum and explored the introduction of new courses designed to meet contemporary educational needs and industry demands. The alignment of academic programs with national educational objectives was a significant theme throughout the meeting, underscoring a commitment to modernizing higher education in the region.
The Chenab Times News Desk