Srinagar, Oct 17 (KNS): Director Colleges Jammu and Kashmir, Prof. (Dr.) Twinkle Suri, on Saturday stressed the need for effective student mentorship, skill development and stronger academic leadership during an interactive meeting with principals of Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) of Kashmir Division.

The meeting was held at Government College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar, to discuss institutional challenges and explore measures to improve the functioning of colleges across the division.

Addressing the gathering, Suri emphasised the importance of understanding grassroots-level challenges to frame effective and responsive policies for higher education institutions.

She said college principals play a crucial role not only in administration but also in academic leadership, faculty guidance and student empowerment, stressing the need to strengthen their leadership capacities.

The Director Colleges also called for greater sensitivity towards student grievances, describing students as the most important stakeholders of educational institutions. She stressed the effective implementation of mentorship programmes across colleges to ensure proper guidance and support for students.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Highlighting the need to make higher education more relevant to emerging employment opportunities, Suri underscored the importance of promoting innovation, research and skill development to prepare students for industry requirements, in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

During the interactive session, principals shared their views on institutional functioning and highlighted academic, administrative and infrastructural challenges faced by their respective colleges.

Suri assured the principals that the issues raised during the meeting would be taken up for appropriate redressal. She emphasised that coordination, collective efforts and sustained engagement among stakeholders were essential to strengthening the higher education system across Kashmir Division.

Prof. Seema Naz, Nodal Principal, welcomed the Director Colleges and expressed her commitment to collective efforts for strengthening the Department of Higher Education.(KNS)