SRINAGAR: Three major universities in Kashmir have terminated their academic agreements with a United States-based organisation, Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF), following internal reviews, according to official documents.
Separate communications issued by SKUAST-K, the University of Kashmir, and IUST confirm the cancellation of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) or Letters of Agreement previously signed with the foundation.
According to a memo issued by the Directorate of Research at SKUAST-K, the Letter of Agreement signed with Kashmir Care Foundation on April 15, 2025, has been cancelled with immediate effect. The document, dated March 25, 2026, was issued under the authority of Director of Research Prof Haroon R Naik.
Similarly, the University of Kashmir, in a communication signed by Registrar Prof. Nasser Iqbal, stated that the MoU executed on December 15, 2025, had been reviewed by competent authorities and found not to be in the larger institutional interest. The university said it had exercised provisions under the agreement to terminate it with immediate effect.
The communication further clarified that no liabilities, financial or otherwise, had accrued to either party and that no funds had been received or disbursed under the agreement.
In a separate notice, the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, also announced the termination of its MoU with the same foundation. The university said the decision followed a review by competent authorities and invoked provisions under a force majeure clause to cancel the agreement.
The IUST communication confirmed that no financial or contractual obligations had arisen from the MoU and described the notice as a formal termination of the understanding.
All three institutions cited internal review processes as the basis for their decisions, though no further details were provided regarding specific concerns or findings.
The agreements had been aimed at academic collaboration, including initiatives related to education, research, and exchange of knowledge between the institutions and the foundation.
In response to the MoU cancellation by three universities, the US-based Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF) announced a total suspension of its activities in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the need for mandatory clearances from “competent authorities” before resuming operations.
KCF president Dr Altaf Lal told The Indian Express that he has responded to the universities. “I am as ignorant about the development as anyone else. However, I have responded to the respective universities and the Honourable Chancellor,” he was quoted as saying. LG Manoj Sinha is the Chancellor of all the universities operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
