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When Prof. Mohammad Mobin assumed charge as Vice-Chancellor of the Cluster University of Srinagar in July 2024, the academic community welcomed his appointment with optimism and high expectations. Known for his rich experience in teaching, research, and university administration, he came to Srinagar ready to guide this young institution towards a stronger future.
A distinguished scholar of Applied Chemistry with a rich legacy at Aligarh Muslim University and an international research profile in Materials and Corrosion, Prof. Mobin has brought a blend of academic excellence, administrative experience, and a progressive vision for higher education in Kashmir. His appointment was seen as the right choice for a university that aims to grow fast and make its mark in higher education.
Right from the beginning, Prof. Mobin made it clear that the effective implementation of National Education Policy (NEP-2020) would be a guiding framework for the university. He stressed the need to align curricula, pedagogy, and evaluation in accordance with NEP guidelines to create a student-centric, flexible, and skill-oriented education system that prepares graduates for the demands of a rapidly evolving world. He has overseen the preparation of important university policies like internship policy, students’ migration policy, policy for assigning additional credits for extracurricular, co curricular and outreach programs and sports policy including policy aligned with the Government of India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision.
These efforts are making sure that the Cluster University plays an active role in national educational and development goals and make the university flexible, inclusive, and future-ready. He has also encouraged activities that connect education with national priorities. The university’s participation in the “Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect” programme is an example, where debates and discussions inspired students to think about India’s future and their own role in it. Importantly, employability and skill enhancement remain central to his academic planning. By introducing career-focused programmes and promoting entrepreneurship and vocational initiatives, Prof. Mobin is ensuring that graduates are equipped not only with knowledge but also with the confidence and competence to excel in professional domains.
One of his early initiatives has been the introduction of career-focused postgraduate programmes in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Data Science, which are in high demand and match the needs of industries, giving students a strong platform for jobs and higher studies. At the same time, Prof. Mohammad Mobin has ensured that the arts and humanities are given equal importance.
New PG programmes in Gender Studies and Music have been introduced, allowing students to follow their talents and interests. This balance between science, technology, and the arts shows his inclusive approach to education. A hallmark of his tenure so far is the rollout of the “Design Your Degree” (DYD) programme. This innovative idea, in line with NEP-2020, gives students the freedom to choose subjects from different fields and design an interdisciplinary degree. In personal interaction with the inaugural batch, Prof. Mobin assured them of institutional support, reflecting his commitment to nurturing creativity and academic freedom. Under his leadership the university is actively working on paperless examinations and planning to implement it on a pilot basis in one of the colleges.
A historic milestone under his leadership is the launch of the university’s first-ever Ph.D. programme, enabling faculty from the constituent colleges to guide doctoral research. This landmark step is set to transform the research landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, fostering innovation and creating new avenues for scholarly growth. To strengthen the Ph.D. programme Prof. Mobin is also keen on initiating collaborative research and building partnerships with other institutions of UT of J&K. This will give both students and faculty more exposure and practical experience.
In a short span, Prof. Mohammad Mobin has infused new energy into the Cluster University of Srinagar. His leadership combines academic depth, administrative foresight, and a people-centric approach, setting the stage for the institution to emerge as a premier hub of higher education in the Valley. By harmonizing tradition with modernity and local aspirations with national priorities, he is ensuring that the university contributes meaningfully to both regional progress and the larger vision of a developed India.
(Author is Director of Media Centre. Email: nikhatoffice@gmail.com)