KL Report
SRINAGAR
The Institute of Kashmir Studies (IKS) at University of Kashmir is going to start admissions for MPhil and PhD from this academic year.
This was announced by Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Talat while interacting with the representatives of South Asia Foundation (SAF), UNESCO and the first batch of students enrolled at the Institute of Kashmir Studies here on Saturday.
“To create and widen intellectual space for inter-disciplinary research and inter-faith dialogue we are starting admissions for MPhil and PhD from this very year and the aim is to conduct research in the fields of language, literature, art, culture, religion, philosophy and other region specific disciplines falling within the scope of the objectives of the Society,” said Prof Talat.
Prof Talat further said that in order to give fillip to the institute in academics and research areas the institute will soon get sufficient faculty strength who would be experts in their respective fields.
“We have communicated it to the relevant quarters in UGC and we are hopeful that the institute will soon get sufficient number of faculty members so as to cater to the needs of the students who come from different countries,” said Prof Talat.
Earlier interacting with the students and faculty, Chairperson SAF- India Mani Shankar Aiyar said that the objective of SAF is to uphold its core values of regional cooperation and peace through education and cultural interaction between the eight SAARC countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
He said “Besides making efforts for the preservation of Cultural Heritage of Kashmir and disseminating the information regarding the same among general public by publishing and projecting the research findings on the various aspects relating to Kashmir Studies which is the primary aim of the centre, the institute has to come up as a binding force amongst various SAARC countries and redefine its role of Kashmir studies vis-a-vis South Asia.”
Aiyer said SAF has been admitted into official relationship with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and recognized as an Apex Body of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
“Its aims, objectives, and activities are in conformity with the spirit, purpose, and principles of the two international organizations,” said Aiyar.
Aiyar was also accompanied by Mme France Marquet, a SAF Trustee and Prof Veena Sikri Vice -Chairperson SAF-India who also interacted with the students on the occasion.
While presenting a profile of the institute Director IKS Prof Sidiq Wahid said that presently there are 22 students enrolled at IKS which also includes one student from Afghanistan, one from Nepal and one from Bangladesh. Prof Wahid said that the institute strives hard to promote better understanding of the pluralistic culture of Kashmir vis-à-vis issues of contemporary relevance.
Later Mani Shankar Aiyar also attended a crucial meeting of the executive body of Institute of Kashmir studies which was chaired by honourable Vice chancellor Kashmir university Prof Talat Ahmad. Important issues regarding the IKS including fellowships, syllabus, and research were discussed.
