Kashmir University to resume classwork from Feb 03

SRINAGAR — Amid the persistent demand from the students and faculty members to extend the winter vacations, the authorities in Kashmir University (KU) have decided to resume the classwork from February 03 for all post graduate departments.

According to reports, the University authorities have issued a public notification informing the students and hostel boarders of different hostels to report to their concerned wardens by February 01, 2020 to complete the formalities for hostel accommodations.

“The university is opening from February 03, so the students are directed to report to their concerned wardens of hostels,” reads a KU notification issued by Provost of Boys and Girls hostels in KU.

As per reports, the public notification comes two days after the Kashmir University Teachers Association (KUTA) had represented to the University administration seeking extension in winter vacation.

“The KUTA had represented that the fresh batch of students who applied for hostel accommodation in 2019 have not been allotted hostel accommodations yet. Besides, the non-availability of coal was also cited as one of the reasons for demanding extension in vacation,” a KU official said.

The classes for fresh batch of students – 1st semester students started in July last year after which the educational institutions remained closed for a prolonged period of time.

“After commencement of classes, the students had also applied for hostel accommodations which was not allotted to them due to the prevailing situation in 2019. Now, the process is still incomplete and university has decided to resume classes,” the KU official said.

He said the students have to come from far off villages of various districts to attend classes and cannot shuttle on daily basis.

“First the varsity should finalise the accommodation process and resume classes otherwise it will be inconvenient for students to attend classes on daily basis,” the official said.

Meanwhile, a group of students said they have already applied for the hostels and KU administration has not issued any list of students who have been allotted hostel accommodations.

“For convenience of students, provost office should first issue the list of students who have been allotted hostel accommodation and the left out students will look for other options to put stay in Hazratbal area and hire private accommodation on rent,” a group of students said.

Registrar Kashmir University (KU), Nisar Ahmad Mir was not available for his comments.