CUK campus to be shifted to Tulmulla, says VC

Srinagar: Apparently referring to the failure of the state to build the Central University of Kashmir at Ganderbal, Vice Chancellor CUK Prof Mehraj-ud-Din Mir on Wednesday said, “We couldn’t fulfil the expectations of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah” who had laid the foundation of the varsity at Tulmulla, Ganderbal in 2009.

The vice chancellor was delivering his welcome address at the maiden convocation organized by the university at SKICC.

He said the varsity administration was trying to shift the campus from Nowgam, Srinagar, to Tulmulla, Ganderbal, the site which was identified for it and where the foundation was laid, “but there are some issues related to the shifting.”

However, he added: “We have constructed few buildings there which will be put to use in coming months. We have already procured some equipment and have placed orders for more,” he said.

For more than seven years, the CUK, which was established in 2009, is functioning from rented accommodations at two temporary places in Nowgam. The construction of the buildings at the proposed site at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district has hit roadblock.

“We will shift the campus to Tulmulla within one year but we may not be able to raise construction in vertical pattern,” he said.

The VC while briefing about the progress of the university said the institution started with only three courses and had only 300 students in 2010. “But now the University has nine Schools and 18 PG Departments with 35 programmes including five year integrated programmes,” he said.

He however said the varsity has been deprived of getting students from other states for admission as it used to be in the past. “But our students are in outside nine universities who have got admissions there,” he said.

He said the university has enhanced the intake capacity in almost all the departments to stop migration of students outside state. “And we have set up supernumerary quota for Ganderbal youth for admission in the university,” Prof. Mehraj ud Din said.