Srinagar, Oct 15 (KNO): Following a month long protest, Faculty of Forestry at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir in Ganderbal campus on Thursday ordered suspension of all academic activities of UG, M.Sc and Ph.D courses.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Dean Faculty of Forestry of Benhama, Watlaar Ganderbal campus in an order said, “ It is for information of enrolled students of Faculty of Forestry that all academic activities including class work of U.G, M.Sc and Ph.D courses except UG 1st year are hereby suspended till further orders.”
“As such, all students belonging to J&K and Ladakh residing in the Pine Boys and Girls hostels are hereby directed to vacate their Hostel rooms on October-16 by 10.00 am without fail,” it reads.
The order said that any violation shall invite serious consequences under rules. “Warden Boys and Girls hostel shall ensure vacation of both the hostels within stipulated time.”
An official informed KNO that the academic activities of UG, M.Sc and Ph.D courses have been suspended in view of a month-long protest by the students.
Pertinently, the students of SKUAST-K are holding protests across multiple campuses regarding job policies and recruitment rule changes.
One of the students said, “We are protesting against the outdated recruitment rules of the Forest Department, where the eligibility criteria for the post of Forester fail to recognize the specialized education of B.Sc Forestry graduates.”
“Everyone is eligible for the post, but a degree specifically in Forestry carries no weightage and preferences. We spend years studying Silviculture, Forest Management, Wildlife, Mensuration, Agroforestry, Ecology and other specialized forestry subjects, yet when it comes to recruitment in the Forest Department, our professional qualification is treated no differently from general qualifications,” the students said—(KNO)