Staff Postings at Kashmir University Questioned, Registrar Defends Deployment Policy
Srinagar, March 25, KNT: Staff postings at the University of Kashmir have come under scrutiny amid allegations that deployment decisions are being made on personal convenience rather than academic requirements, affecting teaching and functioning at satellite campuses, stakeholders said.
The concerns relate primarily to North and South campuses, where faculty members and officials have alleged shortages and disruption in academic delivery due to shifting of staff to the main campus.
The issue assumes significance as satellite campuses were established to expand access to higher education in remote areas, and any imbalance in staffing could impact students’ learning outcomes.
Faculty members said teaching at South Campus has been affected after staff were assigned additional responsibilities outside their primary roles. Others alleged that some transfers were influenced by proximity to residence rather than institutional need.
Stakeholders also pointed to the movement of technical and IT staff from satellite campuses without replacement, affecting operational efficiency. In one instance, a field assistant was shifted to the main campus and did not return, with duties subsequently handled by non-specialized personnel.
Key Issues
- Allegation of convenience-based postings
Stakeholders claim staff are being posted based on proximity to home rather than institutional need. - Satellite campuses affected
North and South campuses reportedly facing teaching and staff shortages. - Faculty given multiple roles
Some teachers assigned additional responsibilities outside campuses, affecting classroom teaching. - Technical staff shifted, not replaced
IT staff, programmers, and field assistants moved to main campus without replacement. - Research impact concerns
Scholars reportedly facing difficulty accessing advanced research facilities. - Gulmarg research centre issue
High Altitude Research Laboratory cited as not fully utilized due to staff absence. - Kupwara campus challenges
Resistance to postings at remote campuses highlighted by stakeholders. - Demand for intervention
Stakeholders seek Chancellor, Vice Chancellor intervention and repatriation of staff.
Concerns were also raised regarding research infrastructure, including claims that key facilities were not functioning optimally and that research scholars were being forced to seek resources outside the university.
Responding to the allegations, Registrar of Kashmir University, Professor Naseer Iqbal told the news agency Kashmir News Trust [KNT] that postings are made keeping institutional efficiency in mind and rejected claims of mismanagement.
“Posting proximity to home saves cost, time and money and it is good. Around 60 percent faculty are appointed at the main campus,” he said.
Responding to concerns over research infrastructure, Registrar Professor Naseer Iqbal said the University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) was closed on the directions of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
He added that the university has instead established the Centre for Inter-Disciplinary Research (CIRI), where necessary facilities are available.
It should be noted that the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is currently not functioning.
On the High Altitude Research Laboratory at Gulmarg, the Registrar said steps are being taken to strengthen its functioning. “We will soon designate a full-time faculty member at Gulmarg Research Centre,” he said.
Regarding Kupwara campus, he said faculty members have been posted and are working there.
“We are working in the interest of the varsity and our sole motive is to work for the students and faculty members,” Iqbal added.
Registrar’s Response
- Postings justified on efficiency grounds
Registrar Prof. Naseer Iqbal said posting near home saves time, cost and improves efficiency. - Main campus staffing structure explained
Around 60% of faculty are appointed at the main campus, he said, indicating structural distribution. - USIC not closed
The University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) is functional, rejecting claims of closure. - Gulmarg centre to be strengthened
University will soon designate a full-time faculty member at the High Altitude Research Laboratory. - Kupwara campus staffed
Faculty members have been posted and are working at Kupwara campus, he said. - Institutional intent defended
“We are working in the interest of the varsity… our sole motive is to work for students and faculty,” the registrar said.
The response comes as stakeholders have sought intervention from higher authorities, including the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, demanding a review of staff postings and repatriation of personnel to their designated campuses.
They have stressed that addressing the issue is essential to restore academic balance and ensure that satellite campuses function as intended. [KNT]
