Srinagar, Oct 27: The 3rd Meeting of the University Syndicate of Cluster University of Srinagar was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Mobin. The Syndicate approved a series of academic, technological and institutional initiatives aimed at strengthening teaching, research, examinations and digital infrastructure across the University.
Among the major decisions was approval of a 24-Credit Additional Academic Programme in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science for eligible students enrolled in various undergraduate programmes. Designed as an additional qualification alongside the parent degree programme, the initiative seeks to equip students across disciplines with competencies in the rapidly expanding fields of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
In another major decision, the Syndicate approved establishment of a High-Performance Computing Centre (HPCC)/AI-Cell at the University’s Main Campus. The Centre is envisaged as an advanced computing facility to support academics, research, innovation, University administration and student services, with GPU-based computing facilities for work in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security and allied computational areas. Phase-I of the project, estimated at approximately 80 lakh, will establish the foundational computing infrastructure.
The Syndicate also approved the expansion of the paperless examination system in the University. The initiative follows a pilot implementation in the B.Ed. programme, with the University proposing to extend the system to PG, B.Ed. and B.Tech. programmes from the next academic session.
The Syndicate approved the Convocation Statutes, paving the way for the University’s maiden Convocation. Other decisions included framing and adoption of statutes for the B.Tech. programme, approval of the Draft Constitution of the Abdul Ahad Azad Chair and the University Tarana, besides a mercy chance for students of the 2017–2019 batches of UG, IG, PG and professional programmes to facilitate completion of their degree programmes.
Before the agenda was taken up, Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Mobin made a detailed presentation on academic and administrative reforms and initiatives undertaken by the University since the previous Syndicate meeting. He highlighted the implementation of NEP-2020 across the University, including major, minor, multidisciplinary, skill, ability-enhancement and research verticals, as well as the identification of research supervisors for the undergraduate research component.
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the expansion of the University’s research ecosystem, particularly the introduction of PhD programmes in constituent colleges alongside the University schools. The University is presently offering PhD programmes in 14 disciplines, with 39 research scholars enrolled and 53 supervisors identified across colleges and the University. He also referred to the University’s consideration of stipends for research scholars.
Prof. Mobin highlighted the improvement in enrolment across various programmes, informing the members that undergraduate enrolment had increased by about 7.6 per cent over 2025, while postgraduate enrolment had risen by about 28 per cent. He also referred to the One-Year Postgraduate Programme introduced as an NEP-2020 progression pathway for eligible Four-Year Undergraduate Programme graduates, enabling lateral entry into the third semester of the existing two-year PG programme.
The presentation also highlighted the University’s mega job fair held in July 2026, which attracted more than 5,000 registrations and resulted in around 900 selections. The Vice Chancellor also referred to Memoranda of Understanding signed by the University during 2026 to strengthen academic collaboration, student opportunities and institutional linkages.
Earlier in the day, the 4th Meeting of the Finance Committee of the University was held, and its recommendations were subsequently placed before the University Syndicate and approved.
The meeting was attended by members in both online and offline modes. Those who joined online included the Chancellor’s nominees—Prof. Bechan Lal, former Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; Prof. M. Afshar Alam, former Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard and Prof. Geeta Singh, Director, Centre for Professional Development in Higher Education, University of Delhi—besides Director General Codes, Shri Mahesh Dass.Members from Cluster University Jammu and GGM Science College Jammu also joined online.
Those attending in person included Shri Shafqat Iqbal, Special Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department; Prof. (Dr.) Seema Naaz, Dean Academic Affairs; Principals of the constituent colleges, including Prof. Yasmeen Farooq Khan, Prof. Tahmina Yousuf, Prof. Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat and Prof. Haris Izhar Tantray; and Deans of faculties of Cluster University of Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Nighat Nasreen and Dr. Javaid Ahmad Bhat.
Registrar, Cluster University of Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Syed Wilayat Hussain Rizvi conducted the proceedings. During the concluding deliberations, the members appreciated the academic, administrative and technology-driven initiatives undertaken by the University and commended the progress made under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Mobin. Prof. (Dr.) Seema Naaz presented the vote of thanks.
