The University of Kashmir has been selected for the ‘GATI Achievers’ award by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, securing top position in the ‘Academic Institutions’ category for its contributions in upholding its commitment towards gender equity and promotion of women in all spheres of sciences, especially in the STEMM disciplines.
The DST, which announced the results on June 10, 2023, has been piloting the prestigious Gender Advancement in Transforming Institutions (GATI) programme in partnership with the British Council for 30 top research institutions, institutions of national importance and academic institutions of the country.
All these institutions were selected for the programme in August 2021 through a rigorous screening process for which around 190 institutions were invited to submit the Expression of Interest (EoI) applications.
Under the programme, the University of Kashmir is committed to the key charter principles of the programme which draws inspiration from the Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) framework of the UK Advance Higher Education, which has been successfully engaging in gender equity programmes in research and academia in several countries including UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Notably, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir Prof Nilofer Khan—the first woman Vice-Chancellor of the University—has been keenly monitoring the programme and has approved several key action plans to be implemented during the current phase of the programme.
The University has successfully worked towards the objectives of this programme which mainly deal with creating a database of gender status over the previous five years in University’s various sectors ranging from UG/PG programmes, research and postdoctoral programmes, teaching and research faculty, non-teaching staff, officers and leadership positions at various hierarchal levels. It also includes highlighting important measures and best practices prevalent in terms of gender equity and identifying the gaps across its main and satellite campuses. The University has constituted a high-level committee—GSAT (GATI Self Assessment Team)— that plays a pivotal role in improving the gender progression and promotion in tune with the requirements of the programme.
“The GATI Achiever award is a great milestone achieved. We look forward to attaining the objectives of this flagship programme and create a robust gender climate in our University and beyond,” Prof Nilofer said, congratulating the GATI team of the University for the achievement.
Registrar KU, Dr Nisar A Mir, also complimented GATI team for working towards realising the GATI objectives with new initiatives and plans.
Prof Rabia Hamid, Head, Department of Nanotechnology, KU, is the Nodal officer of the programme. Recently, she also represented the University as part of a national delegation led by DST’s WISE KIRAN Division head, Dr Nisha Mendiratta on an invited visit by British Council to UK Higher education and research institutions, for knowledge exchange between GATI participant members and Athena Swan UK members.
With GATI Achievers award to its credit, the University of Kashmir—apart from working towards the implementation of the GATI action plans—may also now see a wider role beyond the Pilot programme, as a torchbearer institute for other academic institutions of the country in general and the UT of J&K in particular, to bring gender advancement measures within their policy frameworks.
Pertinently, the National Education Policy-2020 envisages gender equality and inclusivity in educational institutions as paramount, while gender equity is also an important focal area under India’s G-20 Presidency. The University of Kashmir is already actively engaged in several activities in this regard and will be playing a key role in promoting gender equity in areas of research and development, not only at national but international level as well, with the GATI Achievers award.
The DST in partnership with British Council has graded institutions on basis of recognized need of work to achieve Gender Equality in STEMM, Acceptance of GATI Charter, High-level of commitment to promote Gender Advancement with evidence etc., along with Self-Assessment Application and Action plans against the identified gap areas to be implemented within institutions. In all these parameters, the University of Kashmir has performed exceptionally well as is indicative of its figuring in the ‘GATI Achievers’ list of awardees with a top rank among all academic institutions in the Pilot.
Srinagar admin conducts surprise inspection of over 3 dozen petrol pumps
Petrol pump owners asked to ensure fuel quality, accuracy of dispensing units
Srinagar, June 11: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, surprise inspection of all the Petrol Pumps operating in Srinagar District was conducted in order to ascertain the accuracy and fidelity of fuel Dispensing units, Fuel Quality and all basic facilities mandatory at filling Stations.
The checking of Filling Stations was carried out in all Tehsils of the District by the Joint Teams of the District Administration Srinagar comprising Assistant Controller Legal Metrology, Food Safety Officer, Tehsil Supplies Offices, SHO, under the supervision of Tehsildar concerned.
The checking teams inspected over 3 dozen Petrol Pumps across the District.
In South Tehsil of the District 9(Nine) filling Stations operating at MA Road, Dalgate, Sonwar, Batamaloo, Karan Nagar areas were inspected.
Likewise 12(Twelve) Petrol Pumps were checked in Central Shalteng Tehsil of the District which include filling Stations at HMT, Zainakote, Hokersar, Bemina, Barthana, Tengpora bypass, Bagh-i-Nandsingh, Shalteng and Qamarwari.
In Panthachowk Tehsil of the District 6(Six)petrol pumps operating at Sempora, Panthachowk and Pandrethan areas were inspected.
Similarly, in Tehsil North of the District 3(Three)filling Stations operating at Batpora, Zakura and Habak were inspected.
In Khanyar Tehsil of District, 2 (Two) filling stations in Rainawari and Munawrabad were also inspected.
While 2(Two)Petrol pumps operating at Soura and Baghi-Ali Mardan Khan of Eidgah Tehsil and 2(Two) Petrol Pumps in Hyderpora and Baghat Barzulla areas of Chanapora Tehsil were also checked.
During the inspection, the delivery test was conducted by test measures of 5-Litres and 10 litres. Filter test for checking adulteration was also carried out and some samples were lifted by the Teams for further examination.
The inspection teams also took stock of the mandatory basic facilities available at the petrol pumps like Free Air facility, Free drinking water, Fire Extinguisher, Toilet facility for Ladies and Gents. Besides random check on delivery of each petrol pump were also checked.
During the drive, few petrol pumps were served notices for not having free drinking water facilities available and were directed to ensure the facility within 7 days.
In addition, deficiency on nozzle of some petrol pump was also found which were seized by the inspection team on the spot.
The fine to the tune of Rs 10,000/= was also imposed on the owner of filling stations operating in Batpora.
The Managements of the Filling Stations were also directed to follow the Oil Marketing Guidelines in letter and spirit.
Meawhile, the District Administration has also asked the consumers to check the delivery of DU with the conical measure that remains available on the filling station in case they doubt the accuracy of petrol pump.
KU wins ‘GATI Achiever’ award, secures top position in academic institutions category
