Author: hamid

Srinagar: With PG admissions at the Kashmir University witnessing a sharp decline for the first time in its history, academicians have voiced concern over failure of the Varsity authorities to address the burgeoning issue.

The Varsity authorities are themselves struggling to find ways and means to fill up the vacant seats in various PG courses at the main and satellite campuses.

Sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that almost all seats in self-finance category at the main campus are vacant, while scores of seats in General (Open) category are also vacant in the Main Campus at Hazratbal, as also at the satellite campuses in Baramulla, Anantnag and Kupwara.

“Nearly 100 seats in main campus are vacant in various PG courses in General category, while over 200 seats are vacant in self-finance category,” the sources added.

The situation with Institute of Technology, Zakura Campus, is worst with 80 to 90 percent seats in its various branches vacant. Some seats are vacant in computer engineering course at North Campus as well. Even newly introduced courses at North Campus and Kupwara Campus have found very little takers, reflecting the University’s failure to do proper homework before launching these courses.

Academicians have voiced concern and requested LG Manoj Sinha, who is the KU’s Chancellor, to discuss the matter in the J&K Higher Education Council (JKHEC) headed by him.

“This situation is unprecedented. VC KU should have apprised the Chancellor about the declining admissions so that JKHEC could discuss ways and means to address this critical issue,” said a KU teacher, wishing not to be named.

He said the University authorities seem to be unmoved by the declining admissions which is tarnishing the perception and reputation of the institution in the eyes of the public.

“If admissions have dipped so much this year, there are fears that the situation could be worse next year. It is high time for the University to stop granting extension after extension for admissions and seriously find out reasons for steep dip in admissions,” said a teacher at South Campus.

He said the University’s decision to call for ‘open and spot admissions’ in bid to fill vacant seats is fraught with potential consequences. “Giving open admissions means compromising with merit and quality of candidates,” the teacher said.

“Five months have passed since the entrance test was held, but admissions are still open. How long will this work?” Another academician suggested that JKHEC should order an academic audit of various courses being offered by the University to assess their viability and future prospects.

“If some courses need to be closed, it must be done. But new courses should be introduced strictly after assessing their viability,” he said.

A KU official said recently the Vice Chancellor chaired a meeting of officials to discuss the issue of declining admissions, but couldn’t reach a consensus on the way forward.

“Once upon a time KU was the most sought-after institution where students would be more than willing to pay for payment seats. There was no question of any vacant seat in any department,” said a former KU Dean.

“Today, there is a huge question mark on the academic and research activities of the University despite its claims of NIRF and NAAC rankings”—(KNO)

Srinagar, Oct 29: On world stroke day, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Sunday said exposure to air pollution increases the risk of stroke.

“Poor air quality heightens your chances of getting a stroke,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.

Dr Hassan said according to a new study published in Journal Neurology short exposure of just 5 days to air pollutants could increase a person’s risk of stroke.

Previous studies have established a link between long term exposure to air pollution and increased risk of stroke. But the new study shows that even short term exposure poses heightened risk

The study analysed more than 18 million cases of ischemic stroke – which is the most common type of stroke caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain.

Researchers looked at different pollutants and different sizes of particulate matter.

The analysis found that stroke risk rose 28% when people had been exposed to nitrogen dioxide, 26% when exposed to carbon monoxide, 15% when exposed to sulphur dioxide and 5% when exposed to ozone.

Higher concentration of PM2.5 was linked to a 15% increased risk of stroke with PM10 at 14% and PM1 at 9%.

“Higher levels of air pollution were also linked to higher risk of death from stroke,” he said.

The DAK President said air quality in Kashmir has been constantly deteriorating for the past few years due to increasing number of vehicles, constructions, brick kilns, cement and other factories which emit pollutants and significantly pollute the air.

“The pollution hits dangerous levels during winter months due to elevated level of biofuel emission from domestic sector,” he said.

Dr Nisar said over the years stroke cases are on the rise in Kashmir valley. Not only elderly, we are seeing increase in number of strokes among younger people.

“While smoking, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol remain important risk factors for stroke, in Kashmir many people with none of these risk factors come to hospitals with strokes and air pollution could be a factor,” he said.

“There is an urgent need to create policies that reduce air pollution. That would reduce the number of strokes which is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the valley,” he added.