NEW DELHI: In a first, the Central University of Kashmir (CU Kashmir) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Lincoln University College, Malaysia, in New Delhi on Saturday, on Academic Cooperation and Research Collaborations for mutual benefit as a part of Internationalisation of Higher Education under NEP-2020 and also imparting Quality Education under United Nations – Sustainable Development Goals. This is for the first time the University signed MoU at international level.
The MoU was signed by CUKashmir Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath and Dr. Amiya Bhaumik, Executive Founder President of Lincoln University College, Malaysia at a simple ceremony, held at India International Centre New Delhi. The function, presided over by the Chancellor CU Kashmir, Lt. Gen (Retd.) Syed Atta Hasnain, Member, National Disaster Management Board, Government of India, was also attended by Members of Executive Council of CU Kashmir Prof. Ajay Kumar Singh of Delhi University, Prof Vandana Mishra of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Dr M A Sikandar, Registrar, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi and Dr. Jagdish C. Wagle, Director, International Relations, Lincoln University.
The objective of the MoU is to stimulate and facilitate a strong cooperation and collaboration between two institutions to enhance the intellectual and academic development of the students, scholars and faculties. It will also enable to map and offer courses to recognise and grant equivalence of credits for accumulation and transfer as envisaged in the NEP-2020.
Speaking on the occasion the CUK Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain while congratulating both the institutions, expressed hope that this MoU will create a unique opportunity for both the institutions to share resources and expertise for mutual benefit and greater global understanding with seamless mobility of students, scholars and faculty.
Besides, it will enable for confluence diverse and brightest minds in finding the solutions for the problems that the world is facing today. Further, it will enable the students to emulate the culture of teamwork and universal human values, while respecting each other’s faith and beliefs.
He expressed happiness that academic and developmental activities at CUKashmir are gaining greater momentum to sustain its image as a premier institution, while attracting national and international attention, under the dynamic leadership of its new Vice Chancellor Prof A. Ravinder Nath.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof A Ravinder Nath said it is a historic occasion to see the two institutions entering into a partnership through MoU which will give an opportunity to the students, scholars and faculty, in identified areas, to widen the scope of their understanding in an environment that offers them best opportunities and platform to grow in the career of their choice.
He said, the present UGC model of CCFUP has provided ample scope for fully functional MoU, unlike earlier, that will eventually endeavour to translate into a model MoU for greater international cooperation in academics and research.
Dr. Amiya Bhaumik said, in today’s new era of education, collaborations and partnerships are the hallmarks of excellence. He said these tie-ups lead to synergies that ensure the highest level of productivity in the partnering institutions.
He further said such pacts offer a great opportunity for the primary stakeholders of the higher education system to understand and address issues of mutual concern in terms of achieving their academic and research goals. Further, he said that the LUC has its presence through MoUs in more than 30 countries including African Nations with a motto to ‘Reach the Unreached’.
Spelling out the broader contours of the MoU the Vice Chancellor CUKashmir Prof Ravinder Nath said that the MoU will operate within the provisions of UGC rules and regulations. Both LUC and CUKashmir will initially work on the programs of mutual interest, especially in the areas of Tourism Studies, Biotechnology and Computer Science & Engineering to offer flexible short-term skill and value-added courses under immersion model in a blended mode.
The MoU also provides opportunity for joint PhD and Postdoctoral programs; Joint Publications of Articles, Journals and Books; Organizing joint Conferences, Seminars, Workshops besides cultural and sports exchange programs.
The MoU also has provision for student, scholar and faculty exchange between CUKashmir and the Lincoln University College, Malaysia.