Vice-Chancellor Describes Class Representatives as Key Partners in Institutional Growth, Urges Them to Lead with Responsibility
Srinagar, July 22: Reinforcing its commitment to student-centred governance and participatory leadership, the Department of Students’ Welfare (DSW), University of Kashmir, today organised the First Meeting of the Kashmir University Students’ Council (Class Representatives) for the Academic Session 2026 at Gandhi Bhawan. The meeting was attended by more than 200 Class Representatives from the University’s teaching departments and satellite campuses, providing them with a common platform to engage directly with the University’s leadership on issues concerning student welfare, academic excellence, leadership and campus development.
The meeting was presided over by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nilofer Khan, and attended by Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Pirzada Shariefuddin; Registrar, Prof. Naseer Iqbal; Dean Students’ Welfare, Prof. Seema Singh; Controller of Examinations, Prof. Majid Zaman Baba; University Provost (Girls), Prof. Aneesa Jan; University Provost (Boys), Prof. Showkat Ahmad Shah; Coordinator, Physical Education & Sports, Dr. Surjeet Singh; Coordinator, University Health Centre, Dr. Khalid Nazir Tarzan; University Cultural Officer, Dr. Shahid Ali Khan, besides officers of the University.
In her presidential address, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nilofer Khan, described the Class Representatives as key partners in the University’s institutional growth and highlighted their vital role in strengthening the relationship between students and the University administration. Urging them to lead with responsibility, she called upon them to uphold the values of integrity, inclusiveness, empathy, discipline and accountability while representing the interests of their fellow students. She encouraged the representatives to become ambassadors of positive change by promoting academic excellence, harmony, innovation, and constructive dialogue across the campus. Reaffirming the University’s commitment to maintaining an open, responsive, and student-centric administration, she assured the representatives that their ideas, feedback, and aspirations would continue to guide the University’s efforts towards academic excellence and institutional development.
An engaging interactive session followed, during which the Class Representatives shared valuable suggestions and raised issues relating to student welfare, academic facilities, infrastructure, hostel facilities, digital services, cultural and literary activities, sports, student support services, and overall campus life. The University leadership appreciated the thoughtful feedback and assured the participants that all genuine suggestions would receive due consideration.
Welcoming the gathering, Dean Students’ Welfare, Prof. Seema Singh, said that the Department remains committed to creating opportunities that enable students to learn beyond the classroom while nurturing leadership, creativity, innovation and social responsibility. She urged the Class Representatives to serve as an effective bridge between students and the University administration and to encourage greater participation in academic, cultural, literary, sports and community engagement activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Pirzada Shariefuddin, emphasised that academic excellence is best achieved when students actively engage in co-curricular and extracurricular activities alongside their classroom learning. He remarked that the University provides a wide range of platforms to help students discover their talents, strengthen their leadership abilities and develop essential life skills. Encouraging the Class Representatives to become catalysts for positive change, he urged them to inspire greater student participation in academic, cultural, literary, sports, and community engagement activities. He also called upon them to promote a culture of discipline and academic integrity while contributing to the University’s pursuit of excellence and holistic student development.
Addressing the meeting, Registrar, Prof. Naseer Iqbal, highlighted the importance of effective communication, mutual trust, and collaboration in strengthening the University’s academic and administrative ecosystem. He described the Class Representatives as an essential link between students and the University administration and encouraged them to represent the aspirations and concerns of their peers with sincerity, fairness and responsibility.
Controller of Examinations, Prof. Majid Zaman Baba, highlighted the significant role of Class Representatives in nurturing a culture of academic responsibility and informed participation. He urged them to serve as dependable channels of communication by ensuring that important academic and examination-related information reaches every student in a timely manner. Stressing the importance of discipline, ethical conduct and respect for academic processes, he observed that effective student leadership not only promotes academic excellence but also contributes to building a transparent, responsive and progressive University community.
The proceedings were moderated by University Cultural Officer, Dr. Shahid Ali Khan, who also proposed the Vote of Thanks. The meeting concluded with the screening of a specially produced documentary film by the EMRC, KU highlighting the initiatives and achievements of the Department of Students’ Welfare. The documentary showcased the Department’s wide-ranging activities in student welfare, cultural and literary programmes, youth leadership, social outreach, scholarships, student support services, transport facilities for female students, and initiatives for students with disabilities. It also highlighted the University’s remarkable achievements at national platforms, including its outstanding success in the National Youth Parliament Competition, youth festivals, literary events, and several other co-curricular accomplishments.
