National level workshop on ‘Automation and Networking of Libraries’ successfully concluded at SMVD University yesterday. The workshop was organized in association with National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. The 3 day workshop has imparted skills to the participants regarding use of open source software developed by NIC known as e-Granthalaya 4.0 by two resource persons Sh. R. K. Matoria, Technical Director and Sh. Ravi Baarna, Research Scientist D, NIC. The successfully trained library professional from variety of institutions like Punjab University Chandigarh, Punjab Urdu Academy, AG Office, University of Jammu, Competition Commission of India Delhi, Govt. Degree College Udhampur, MIER Jammu, District Library Udhampur, District Library Jammu, District Library Rajouri have participated in the workshop. A panel discussion was also conducted on the topic “How to increase Footfalls and Readership in Libraries”. There was presence of 06 panellist and 05 discussants along with participants which made a brain storming on the topic in an elaborated fashion. The discussants emphasized that there is urgent need of Library professional who can provide services and resources to the users at the doorstep.

A participant from Punjab University Chandigarh called for smart merger of conventional libraries with technology. Another participant Dr. Sourabh Shukla from Competition Commission of India emphasized that library professionals and staff can be the key to increase the utilization of library resources in the present era. Mr. R. K. Matoria expressed that e-Granthalaya platform can be useful for utilization of resources. Mr. Ravi Baarna also expressed his opinion for sharp digitalization of libraries at different levels. On the last day of workshop a tree plantation drive was also initiated under the supervision of Dr. Supran Kumar Sharma, Faculty In-charge Central Library, Dr. Sushil Mehta, Head School of Business, Dr. Ashutosh Vashistha, Co-ordinator Technology Business Incubation Centre and Dr. Saurabh, apart from the participants of the workshop. The participants of the workshop shown higher level of satisfaction and felt motivated regarding all types of arrangements including boarding and lodging, transportation and contents of workshop disseminated to them during these 3 days.Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Jain and Prof. V.K. Bhat, Registrar of the University congratulated the participants and organizers of the workshop for the successful conduction of the event which will be having cascading effects for prospective and present users as well as Library professional.

SMVDU Katra: Two-day’s workshop of Board of Studies (BOS) of the Department of Economics was held at SMVDU. The workshop was organized to update the curriculum of the Department of Economics so that it becomes relevant to the needs of today’s world. Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Jain put forward the objective of the curriculum. After through discussion and deliberations it was decided that the syllabus of the M.Sc. Economics be revamped. In the new syllabus certain courses has been done away with and courses like Big Data Analysis, Business Analytics and alike are introduced. There were three renowned experts in the meeting namely Prof. Pulin B. Nayak Ex-Director Delhi School of Economics, Prof. Bandi Kamaiah Dean School of Economics, University of Hyderabad, and Dr. Balawant Singh Ex-Advisor RBI.

The workshop was also participated by Prof. D. Mukhopadhay Dean Faculty of Management, in addition to all the faculty members namely Dr. Kakali Majumdar Head of the Dept. of Economics, Dr. Pabitra Kumar Jena, Dr. Meenakshi Gupta, Dr. Roop Lal Sharma, Dr. Kirtti Ranjan, Dr. Showkat Ahmed Bhat and Mr. Amarjit Singh. As the 5 Year M.Sc. Economics program at SMVDU is unique in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, the revised syllabus will make the program more significant.

SMVDU Katra: On the eve of “WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY” an Anti Tobacco Campaign was launched at SMVDU, organized in joint collaboration of Dept. of Biotechnology SMVDU, SMVD College of Nursing and LBN-Radiation of Hope, Jammu. All the events were supported by Chairman Trustee of LBN-Radiation of Hope Professor K.B Abrol, a renowned professor of chemistry. An interactive session with Kids of SMVDU faculty and staff and students of SMVD College of Nursing was conducted where Dr. Deepak Abrol, caner specialist GMC Jammu delivered a lecture on Harmful effect of tobacco and advocate Ajay Gandotra, Trustee LBN RoH, gave brief about legislation Concerning Tobacco, Narcotic and Psychotropic substances.

The event was held with a theme Tobacco: A Threat To Development and the whole event was conceptualized and coordinated by Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Assistant Professor Dept. of Biotechnology SMVDU, supported by Research scholars namely Sonali Verma, Amrita Bhat, Ruchi Shah, G.R. Bhat, Bhanu Sharma, Divya Bakshi and Natish Kumar. A painting competition was also organized on the theme for the kids of different age-group. Dr Varun Kumar Tripathi, Head Dept. of Philosophy judged the event. Noha Samuel bagged the 1st Prize, Neha Sharma 2ndPrize, from Vaishno Group. Bhavi bagged 1st Prize, Avaditya 2ndPrize from Durga Group. Harshini Wanchoo bagged 1st Prize, Varinika 2ndPrize from Kalika Group. Sharda Das bagged 1st prize, Dhruv Sabraj 2nd Prize from Bhawani Group. Sh. Shashi Khajuria Trustee of LBH thanked to Administration of SMVDU for providing logistic support for the event. Vote of thanks was given by Sonali Verma Research Scholar Dept. of Biotechnology SMVDU, and all other events were conducted by Amrita Bhat and G.R. Bhat, Bhanu Sharma and Divya Bakshi.

SMVDU Katra: A team of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University faculty and officials conducted yesterday two sessions of career counseling for the students of +2 level at Army Public School (APS) and Shivalik College of Education Udhampur, respectively. Principal APS Sh. Sanjeev Kumar welcomed the team and the Director APS Col. A. K. Sharma also addressed the participating students. Dr. Sumeet Gupta Dean Academic Affairs SMVDU discussed in grate details with students about the future prospects of education and career after +2. He dwelt upon the career possibilities at SMVDU, what avenues of education are available there and what are the further possibilities of higher education after graduation. As SMVDU offers B.Tech. in Computer Science, Electronics and Communication, Mechanical Engineering and B.Arch. Program and a Five Year M.Sc. Economics after +2, many students showed their interest in these programs. Dr. Sumeet also told the participants about the range of fellowships available at SMVDU and the campus facilities, life on campus, students’ diversity, other medals, awards and scholarships under SMMSS Scheme, special opportunities for girl students. For girls, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi College of Nursing, which is affiliated to SMVDU, offers a 4 Year B.Sc. Nursing program. Students raised numerous quarries and they were addressed by Dr. Sumeet and Dr. Sunil Wanchoo. Principle APS Sh. Sanjeev Kumar also appraised students about the institutions under Army Professional Colleges (APC), which are more than hundred in India, like Army Institute of Technology Pune, Army Institute of Management Kolkata etc.

At Shivalik College of Education, the team was welcomed by Sh. Manish Gulati and Sh. Vikram Gulati – the hosts of the event, and Dr. Sumeet Gupta spoke about the opportunities for students there. Dr. Hari Govind Mishra from School of Business, Dr. V. K. Tripathi from Dept. of Philosophy, Dr. Sunil Wanchoo from Dept. of Physics, Ar. Anoop Sharma from Dept. of Architecture, Dr. Rakesh Jha from Dept. of Electronics, Dr. R. K. Mishra from Dept. of Mechanical Engineering were part of the counseling team. More than three hundred students altogether were benefited by the counseling sessions. The team also collected feedback from students for future connectivity.

SMVDU Katra: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) Katra has signed a memorandum of Understanding with Gujrat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU), Gandhinagar Gujrat, as reported by the office of the Dean Academic Affairs, SMVDU. GFSU, established by the Govt. of Gujrat, under the flagship of Home Department, is the first of its kind university in the world. This highly specialized higher education institution came into existence through an Act of Gujarat Legislature in 2008. The University specializes in the areas like cyber security and incident response, forensic accounting and financial fraud investigation, homeland security, forensic odontology, finger-print science, digital forensic, forensic psychology, forensic engineering, forensic nanotechnology, forensic pharmacy, environmental forensic and forensic nursing.

By entering into MoU with GFSU, SMVDU will be entitled to receive consultancy and technical support for setting up specialized laboratories like Cyber Security Lab, Forensic Biotechnology Lab, and Digital Forensic Lab etc. DFSU will also design and offer various short-term skill based value addition certificate courses to be delivered at SMVDU. The courses may include Digital Safety and Security, Forensic Accounting, Neuro-Entrepreneurship etc. GFSU will accept students from SMVDU for master degree courses at GFSU campus and both the institutions can also initiate 1+1 joint master program, joint research projects, and consultancies in areas of mutual strength and interests. Apart from this, GFSU will also arrange customized training program for faculty members of SMVDU, outreach activities, conferences, workshops etc. The MoU stands valid for a period of 3 years and the registrars of respective institutions will be the nodal officers for further liaison-making under terms of maintenance of confidentiality and intellectual property rights.

SMVDU Katra: A distinguished team of officials, faculty and staff from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University shall be visiting Udhampur on 11th May to reach out parents, students and local populace to have a direct dialogue with them and enlighten them about career and placement opportunities available at the SMVD University. The team will conduct two sessions: one at Army Public School from 10 am in the morning and other at Shivalik College of Education from 2.30 pm in the afternoon. Parents and students will have opportunity to know about various programs available at the University for students after their 10+2 as well as for students after graduation. Those having good rank in JEE mains will come to know about various B.Tech. and B.Arch. programs and fellowships available to them. Similarly, there are fellowships for various masters’ programs M.Sc., M.Tech. and M.A. etc. and as well for Ph.D. programs in various departments. The sessions will be open for all interested students and parents of Udhampur town and locality.

It is pertinent to mention that Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is a rising institution for higher learning in the very locality and a matter of pride for the region. As the University maintains high standard of education, it has been ranked under top 150 institutions in India by the Ministry of Human Resource Development this year. Its School of Business is ranked under top 100 Schools of Business in India. So far the alumni of the University have been able to make significant mark in corporate and organizations like Yahoo USA, Google, TCS, HCL, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, Bosch, Accenture, L&T, Cognigent, Civil Services, Indian Navy, Army and Air Force and many more.

Three days workshop on “Automation & Networking of Libraries of College/Universities” in association with National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics Information Technology Govt. of India inaugurated at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University on 24th May. e-Granthalaya workshop is a flagship program of NIC, Govt. of India to familiarize and train library professionals in the field of networking & automation with the aid of open source e-Granthalaya version 4.0 software. On this occasion Chief Guest Prof. D. Mukhoupdhaye Dean Facility of Management stress upon modernization of library with the objective to make them user-friendly and productive centers for knowledge resource management. Sh. Ram Kumar Matoria, Technical Director, NIC and key resource person of this workshop briefed about the different phases of the e-Granthalaya 4.0 software success and explained the relevance of the software in the IT dominated world and other resource person of this workshop Sh. Ravi Baarna, Research Scientist D, NIC, described the effective use of this open source software for producting enhancement in automation and networking process to be adopted at the ground level. During the inauguration function Dr. Yugal Khajuria Dean of Students highlighted his experiences as student, researcher, and faculty members on the use of library resources. Dr. V. K. Tripathi Head Department of Philosophy also conveyed his best wishes. Faculty In-charge Central Library Dr. Supran K. Sharma welcomed the dignitaries, resource persons and participants of the workshop. Dr. Sharma emphasized on 3 Cs of the library - Calm, Comfort and Contribution. He also described the different facilities available in the Central Library SMVDU including availability of more than 43000 Books and 6000 online journals, membership through eShodhSindhu, DELNET, eShodhganga, Indian Academy of Sciences etc. Dr. Sharma described that under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor SMVDU, Central Library is providing 24x7 Reading Room and Digital Library for intensive utilization of resources by the students, staff, research scholars and faculty members.

The workshop has received excellent response from different institutions like Punjab Urdu Academy, AG Office Punjab, Punjab University, University of Jammu, MAM College Jammu, Girls’ Model Hr. Secondary School Rajouri, Army School Kaluchak Jammu, Competition Commission of India, Delhi Govt. Degree College Udhampur, Govt. Higher Secondary School Reasi, MIER Jammu, MIET Jammu, Ranjit College of Education Kunjwani Jammu, NIELIT, Jammu. 45 participants have registered for the celebrated workshop. Prof. Sanjeev Jain Vice Chancellor and Prof. V.K. Bhat Registrar, conveyed best wishes to participants of the workshop.

SMVDU Katra: Department of Languages and Literature organized an Extension Lecture entitled “Research Methodology in Literature and Languages” on 4th May, 2017 delivered by Prof. Guru Murthy Neelkantan, Professor at IIT Kanpur. Prof. Neelkantan is distinguished Teacher Awardee of IIT Kanpur. He is a member of IAUPE (International Association of University Professor of English) and has served in the Editorial Board of Philip Roth Studies published from Burdwan University Press. In his lecture on Research Methodology, he claimed Research to be not only a profession but also about being in the world.

Prof. Neelkantan deliberated upon various steps that should be taken into consideration to proceed ahead in the research realm like choosing a broad area, a succinct overview of literature in the specific area, avoiding usage of jargons, consistent revisions and editing, use of connectors, etc. Further, he also emphasized upon an assortment of avenues which students can explore after their post graduation like teaching, journalism, communication studies, legal advisors, etc. Prof. Neelkanthan was visiting the university in connection to the PhD final defense of Ms. Quleen Kaur Bijral, an emerging young novelist and poet.

SMVDU Katra: Dr. Avichal Kapur, Joint Secretary University Grants Commission, visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University yesterday, and gave a detailed presentation about the requirements of accreditation by National Board of Accreditation (NBA) which the university is to get soon and Dr. Kapur highlighted upon important parameters of preparedness, such as benchmarking, which is actually a process of valuing the contribution of a faculty or department. Further, Dr. Kapur impressed upon keeping a close examination whether the vision and mission of the university is percolating down to the program outcomes, as it is only through the program and course outcomes the attainment of vision and mission can be measured. Other focal points included teaching-learning process, curriculum development process, use of ICT in instruction delivery, research and development, self-learning materials, course outcome statements and their evaluation, mapping the course outcome to the program outcome, students’ performance in examinations, students’ capability tests on parameters like engineering knowledge, problem analysis, ethics, team-work, project management, life-long learning etc.

Dr. Kapur also impressed upon that the real contribution of an institution to a student’s life can be tested if the institution’s environment provides a bright student an opportunity to exceed his competence. All the Heads of the Departments, Prof. V. K. Bhat Dean Faculty of Science, Prof. V. Varma Dean Faculty of Engineering, Prof. D. Mukhopadhyaya Dean Faculty of Management, Dr. Vandana Sharma Dean Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Sumeet Gupta Dean Academic Affairs, Dr. Yugal Khajuria Dean of Students attended the presentation and the session was followed by prolonged interaction.

A friendly cricket match was organized by SMVDU for the Faculty and staff members of the University. Faculty team was led by Mr. Rajiv Kumar Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and staff team was led by Mr. Rajeshwar, website designer of University. A 15 over match was played, toss was won by staff team and they elected to field first. Faculty team scored 135 runs on the loss of 6 wickets by the help of their top 3 batsmen, Rajiv scored 40 runs, Mr. Amarjeet scored 32 runs and Ar. Abhimanyu Sharma scored quick 41 runs. Captain Rajeshwar took 3 wickets for the staff team. In reply, staff team lost their first wicket early but they were giving good fight with the help of Jaipal scoring quick 38 runs. It was a thriller in the end; faculty team won the match by 6 runs. Team members for Faculty team were Mr. Rajiv Kumar, Dr. Suparn Sharma, Dr. Saurabh, Dr. Sanjay Mishra, Ar. Abhimanyu, Dr. Rakesh Jha, Mr. Sudesh Kumar, Dr. Ashok Tarai, Amarjeet, Kritti and Shoukat. Team members for staff team were Rajeshwar, Jaipal, Chandan, Kewal, Sanjeev Wadhawan, Pankaj, Tinku, Vishal, Rahul, Sahil and Sumit Sharma. All the arrangements were made by sports coach Cp. Sucha Singh and Sumit Sharma. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sanjeev Jain congratulated the winning team.

SMVDU Katra: A five-day workshop for Office Assistants on ‘Office Management & Skills Development’ organized by Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), SMVDU, concluded on 5th May, 2017. This part-time workshop was organized especially for the Office Assistants of the university with an objective to develop and enhancing their working as well Professional skills among them from 1st May to 5th May 2017 during the workshop, 9 Resources Persons delivered lectures and 9 technical sessions of the were conducted in which 23 participants from various departments, school, Hostels, sections of the University attended the workshop with full enthusiasm & zeal. The urge for holding such session at frequent interval was earnestly felt.

In addressing the gathering, Prof. D. Mukhopadhyay Director HRDC, appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee for success of the workshop and ensured the participants for holding this kind of programs in future as well. Prof. D. Mukhopadhyay felicitated the resource persons and awarded the participants with certificates during the valedictory ceremony. The workshop proved a great learning experience for the participants and ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Deepak Jain Assistant Director HRDC and coordinator of the workshop.

SMVDU Katra: A high level committee was constituted by the Chancellor Sh. N. N. Vohra comprising Prof. D. P. Agrawal former Chairman UPSC and founder Director of IIITM Gwalior, Prof. K. L. Chopra, a noted nanotechnologist and former Director IIT Kharagpur, Mr. Rajendra S. Pawar, Chairman and Co-Founder of NIIT Group and Prof. Satish Kumar Director NIT Kurukshetra, for the Academic Audit of various departments of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. The committee had started the audit exercise from 17th March which completed 0n 15th May, after different phases. The parameters of the audit were like curriculum review and upgrading, building skill-set, evaluation and assessment environment, research, innovation, design and development, outreach and stakeholder engagement, industry collaboration, alumni engagement, library and e-learning, placement, governance, benchmarking, feedback and grievances redressal system, vision for next 10 years, to quote a few prominent ones.

The committee after having thoroughly evaluated the academic functioning of all the departments will give its elaborated recommendations for achieving excellence and the benchmarks set up by the university, for both the individual faculty and the departments. It is pertinent to note here that SMVDU stands amongst the few institutions in India which has been able to arrange Academic Audit in such a short duration from its inception – just after 12 years of its establishments.

Inter- Hostel Basketball Tournament has been successfully concluded at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. Before starting the final match, Director Sports, Sh.Ashok Sharma, Shrine Board had a meeting with both the teams and gave his valuable tips for the game after that final match were played between Vindhyachal Hostel and Trikuta Hostel at Basketball Court inside the University. However, Vindhyachal hostel team was led by Harshit Singh while Trikuta hostel team by Farid Ansari. It was a thriller as Trikuta hostel team was leading the game upto 3rd quarter by 4 points. But in the last quarter Vindhyachal hostel bounced back and won the match by 6 points. Final score of the match for Vindhyachal hostel with quarter points was 4-12,17-21,24-28,37-31. Harshit Singh was the highest scorer in the match.

Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SMVDU Prof. Sanjeev Jain congratulated to winner team and lauded the efforts of Runner-Up team for displaying their show and appreciated the efforts of President, Board for Sports Activities Mr. Rajeev Kumar and Capt. Sucha Singh, Sport Coach of the University as well for successfully organizing the tournament inside the university campus.

SMVDU Katra: Hon’ble Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, approves fellowships for the academic programs of the Dept. of Energy Management, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra. In response to the application for the Fellowship from SMVDU, the Ministry issued a letter on 12th May approving grant for fellowships to Ph.D. and M.Tech. students in New and Renewable Energy under the National Renewable Energy Fellowship (NREF) Program. Ministry has agreed to support 4 numbers of fellowships - JRF and SRF for Ph.D. and 10 fellowships for M.Tech. course in New and Renewable Energy for the academic session beginning from 2017-18. CSIR norms will be applicable for JRF and SRF and AICTE norms for M.Tech. fellowships under NREF.

It is pertinent to mention that Ministry specially informed to SMVDU that research fellows are encouraged to pursue research out of thrust areas of R&D identified by the Ministry available at the Ministry’s website. The fellowships will be disbursed following the DBT mechanism of the Govt. of India and further added that Dept. of Energy Management of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is the only dept. in the State of Jammu & Kashmir that offers M.Tech. and Ph.D. Programs in New and Renewable Energy. Vice Chancellor Dr. Sanjeev Jain congratulated Dr. S. Anand Head Dept. of Energy Management SMVDU.