JU set for 58th Foundation Day; VC outlines University's academic, research, expansion roadmap

STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: University of Jammu Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai on Monday said the University is moving towards a higher education model combining academic excellence and research with innovation, skill development, cultural rootedness and greater opportunities for students. Interacting with media persons at a curtain-raiser ahead of the University's 58th Foundation Day, Prof. Rai said the occasion was an opportunity not only to recall the institution's journey but also to envision its future. 'Our effort is to create a University where students get opportunities not only to earn a degree, but also to learn, innovate, create, participate and grow,' he said. The Foundation Day will be celebrated on September 8 at 11 am at Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium. Dr. Dheer Singh, Director, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, will be Chief Guest, while Manish Vij, Managing Partner, Smile Group and Founder, Vaana Ventures, New Delhi, will be Guest of Honour. Prof. Rai highlighted JU's NAAC A++ accreditation, NIRF rankings and academic expansion under NEP-2020, including five-year integrated programmes with an intake of 400 students, new doctoral, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering at UIET Kathua, and the approved B.Tech in Robotics and Automation. He highlighted the new Department of Foreign Languages and courses in several international languages, besides research growth, including JU's participation in the ANRF-PAIR programme with IIT Delhi, rising research citations and Ph.D. admissions. On infrastructure, Prof. Rai said the Ministry of Defence approved land exchange in July 2026, enabling vacation of over 147 kanals adjoining the campus. Ten kanals have been allotted for IMFA, while 50 kanals have been allotted for the newly established Kashmir Campus at Bemina. He also highlighted digital transformation, international collaborations, patents, student initiatives, placement drives and cultural programmes. The interaction was attended by Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Prof. J.P. Singh Joorel, Prof. Sangeeta Gupta, Prof. Pankaj K. Srivastava, Prof. Prakash Chand Antahal, Dr. Neeraj Sharma and members of the Press and Media Committee.