Mufti for corporate linkages to bridge academia, industry gap

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today impressed upon the institutes of higher learning in the state to explore more and more corporate linkages to enhance the employability of their students and bridge the gap between the academia and the industry.
Chairing the third meeting of State Higher Education Council here, she said rapid changes taking place in the industry should be regularly incorporated in the curriculum so that students, after completing their studies, can respond to the requirements and challenges of the corporate world.
This will not only enhance the absorption of young pass outs in the corporate sector easily, but also cement the relation between the academia and the industry, making the courses much more application-based, Mufti said.

The Chief Minister, who is also the chairperson of the Council, said corporate linkages will ensure financial stabilisation of many institutes making them self-sustaining and widen their perspective in planning.
The State Higher Education Council was constituted in 2013 under Rashtriya Uchittar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for accessing funds and overseeing higher education activities in the state.
Mufti said the curriculum should be looked into periodically to suit the changing job needs and application requirements of the corporate world.

Recalling the contribution of former Chief Minister late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in giving higher education in the state a push, she said the late leader wanted to see Jammu and Kashmir emerge as a hub of educational activities not only in the country but outside.

The Chief Minister said the present government is committed to pursue the dream of the late leader and asked the heads of educational institutions to work in that direction with commitment.
Mufti suggested setting up of more nursing colleges and paramedical institutes in the state in view of the job demand within and outside the country.
She also suggested that coaching classes should be started in many colleges for students who intend to undertake national-level competitive exams.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that 13 colleges will be completed in the state this year under RUSA and the transit campus of IIT-Jammu will start functioning from April next year.