Quality at stake: Kashmir University relies on ad hoc postings for functioning

Srinagar, Mar 23: At least 20 top officials at the Kashmir University have been holding multiple charges, as authorities rely on ad hoc postings to run the institution.
In 2015 and 2016, advertisements were issued for appointing Registrar, Controller Examination, and several other posts in the varsity.
“These posts have not been filled and officials have been posted there temporarily,” an official said.
Professor Khurshid Ahmad Bhat, Dean Management Studies is holding the additional charge of Registrar, while he is also the in-charge Kargil and Leh satellite campuses of the varsity.
Same is the case with the post of Controller Examinations, which is at present held by the Additional Controller Examination, Dr Mohammad Yusuf Bhat.
Professor Azra Nahid Kamli, Director Central of Research and Development, is also the Head Department of Environmental Science, Coordinator Microbiology and, Dean School of Life Sciences.
Dr M S Sumbli, Chairman of Sheik ul Alam chair is also in-charge Director Convocation Complex.
Professor G N Khaki, Director Central Asian Studies is also Dean Students Welfare and in-charge provost of hostels.
Professor Mohammad Hussain is holding the dual charge of Head Department of Law and Dean Law School.
Dr Manzoor Ahmad Shah, Senior Assistant Professor of Botany Department is also in-charge Director Internal Quality Assurance Cell.
The post of Director Distance Education is vacant since retirement of Professor Nelofar Khan.
Maroof Qadri is in-charge Director IT and Supporting System.
The varsity authorities have failed to appoint Director Physical Education for the last several years. Professor Nisar Ahmad of mathematics department is holding its additional charge.
Prof S Mufeed Ahmad is in-charge Director State Resource Centre (SRC).
Chief Librarian post has been lying vacant, while an official has been made its in-charge.
Professor Inayatullah Tahir head Department of Botany is holding additional charge of Coordinator Bio Resources.
Institute of Kashmir Studies has no Director, while Muslim Jan of Media Education Research Centre has been made its coordinator.
Faruq Masoodi, a film maker has been ad hoc coordinator for the Media Education Research Centre for the last few years.
Professor Zohra Afzal, Head Department of Hindi, is also Dean Arts, Languages and Literature.
Professor M S Bhat head Department of Geography is also holding the charge of Dean Sciences and Environment Studies.
Professor F A Masoodi of School of Applied Science and Technology is in-charge Food and Technology Department.
Professor G M Bhat, Director Zakura campus of the varsity is also in-charge Principal Safapora Engineering College.
Similarly, Professor Akbar Masood, Head Biochemistry Department, also holds the charge of Clinical Biochemistry.
Faheem Aslam has the dual charge of PRO Kashmir University and Vice-Chancellor, while the former position has been lying vacant since 2007, when Abdul Musvi was terminated.
The three year term of Professor Khurshid Ahmad Andrabi as VC also ended on October 17 last year.
Dr Ashfaq Ahmed Zarri, Deputy Registrar has been given sensitive posting of Director South campus.
“It is mandatory that Director should stay at South Campus but every day he is travelling from main campus to South Campus,” the official said.
Kashmir University Teacher Association President, Dr Muheet Ahmed Butt, said ad hoc appointments were “affecting” the functioning of the varsity.
“We want implementation of one man one post in the university,” Butt said.
A professor of the Social Science Department said, “The research standard is degrading, as the people in the varsity are overburdened with additional responsibilities. Authorities claim implementation of ‘one man one post’ is still far from reality.”
“University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved full autonomy to Jammu University but no attention is being paid towards Kashmir University,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar could not be contacted for comments.