Jammu, Aug 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, on Wednesday chaired the 37th meeting of the Executive Council of SMVDU at Kakryal, Katra.
The Council accorded in-principle approval for a 200-bed boys’ hostel to be funded by SMVDSB, along with preparation of a detailed project report, and also granted in-principle approval for two new academic programmes — B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and B.Tech in Food Technology — while suggesting exploring the possibility of offering LL.B. in conjunction with the science and commerce streams.
The meeting was attended by Prof Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU; Prof Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Prof Pankaj Chandra, Vice Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Management, Ahmedabad University; Prof A.S.K. Sinha, Former Director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi; Prof Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Shri Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO, SMVDSB; Shri Ajay Kumar Sharma, Registrar, SMVDU and other members of the Executive Council.
The Council also adopted the budget proposals for FY 2026–27 and the final audit report for FY 2024–25, along with a proposal for enhanced financial assistance to students attending national and international conferences, workshops, and events, while further approving the completion and development of the sports complex at the SMVDU campus in collaboration with SMVDSB to provide sports facilities for students and employees, and deciding to finalise a five-year roadmap for the University based on a viable operating model in consultation with the Academic Council and Finance Committee. The Executive Council also adopted the University’s proposed Kulgeet (institutional anthem).
The Council reviewed the University’s academic, administrative, and financial progress and approved several initiatives for the forthcoming academic sessions, while also ratifying the nomination of external members to the Executive Council and to the Academic Council of SMVDU, and reviewing the status of ongoing and completed major construction projects while calling for their timely completion.
Appreciating the University’s initiatives on wellness, sports, and youth engagement, the Lieutenant Governor directed the administration to conduct counselling, mental health, and value-based awareness programmes for students, and to subscribe to online counselling platforms for student support.
He suggested academic relaxation for NSS and NCC students selected to represent the University at events of national importance, along with additional credits in recognition of their achievements, and further recommended introducing industry-linked vocational courses delivered through internal faculty and external experts and open to all students regardless of minimum eligibility criteria.
Prof Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU briefed the Executive Council on key developments relating to admissions, recruitment, faculty career advancement, ongoing construction projects, and new academic programmes proposed for the upcoming academic year.
