Jammu, July 4 (KNS): The Cluster University of Jammu (CLUJ) successfully conducted its 4th Syndicate meeting under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Prof. K. S. Chandrasekar. The meeting was attended by Santmanu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary; Santhosh D. Vaidya, IAS, Principal Secretary, Finance; and Prof. Kavita Shah, Vice Chancellor of Siddharth University, Uttar Pradesh.
Also present were principals of constituent colleges—Dr. Geetanjali Andotra, Dr. Rajinder Singh, and Dr. Romesh Gupta—along with university deans Dr. Chander Shekhar, Dr. Mohd. Zubair, and Dr. Monicka Sharma. Faculty members from Cluster University Srinagar, including Dr. Munir Ahmed Mir, Dr. G. M. Lone, Dr. Nighat Nasreen, and Dr. Raif Ahmad Khan, also attended. Dr. R. K. Mittal, Vice Chancellor of BBA University, Lucknow, joined virtually. The agenda items were presented by Registrar Ankur Mahajan.
Prof. Chandrasekar shared recent developments, including AICTE and NCTE approvals for new programmes, a successful job fair, and syllabus revisions for postgraduate and undergraduate programmes. The Syndicate ratified the Vice Chancellor’s decisions, such as the adoption of revised reservation rules for UG, PG, and Ph.D. admissions.
A key reform approved was the introduction of coded evaluation of end-semester answer sheets by a qualified panel. The Syndicate also allowed a one-time credit exemption for students with a shortage of less than 50%, enabling them to join the 5th semester of UG General, Honours, and PG Integrated programmes.
The meeting approved the use of NET as the entrance test for Ph.D. admissions and introduced new programmes such as MPA, PG Diplomas, Certificate courses in Dogri translation, M.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelSc. Geography, and one-year PG programmes. The Syndicate also recognised eligible college faculty as Ph.D. supervisors and approved collaborations for implementing the 4th year of FYUGP in line with NEP 2020.
Prof. Chandrasekar stated that NEP 2020 is being effectively implemented, offering research and project opportunities in the 4th year of Honours programmes. Dual degree programmes were also cleared to start from the 2025–26 academic session.
The Syndicate discussed and approved mercy chances for students from the 2017, 2018, and 2019 batches. Plans for new academic courses, such as M.Sc. (Entrepreneurship) in collaboration with EDII Ahmedabad, B.Sc. (Nursing), English as a minor subject, and Statistics as a major and minor at GGM Science College, were also explored.
To enhance university activities, the Vice Chancellor was authorised to co-opt senior faculty from affiliated colleges into university roles. The Syndicate further approved the reintroduction of CLUJET from the academic session 2026–27.
Earlier in the day, the 5th Finance Committee meeting was also held, chaired by Prof. Chandrasekar. Key attendees included Santmanu, IAS; Santhosh D. Vaidya, IAS; Registrar Ankur Mahajan; Dean Dr. Zubair; and Principal Dr. Romesh Gupta. Finance Advisor Nagesh Jamwal presented budget estimates, proposals for new posts, fee enhancements, and the audit report, all of which were approved by the committee and ratified by the Syndicate.
Prof. Chandrasekar thanked all members for their active participation and continued support in advancing the university's goals.(KNS)