CUK orders online classes on Fridays, introduces Work From Home under austerity measures

Srinagar: The Central University of Kashmir has directed a shift to online teaching and Work From Home (WFH) on Fridays and “Green Saturdays” for both teaching and non-teaching staff, as part of austerity measures aimed at ensuring continuity of academic activities.

CUK has become the first educational institute to partly shift to online teaching.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently urged institutions to reduce fuel consumption amid rising global energy concerns.

According to an official order issued by the university administration following a Deans’ Committee meeting held on May 13, and approved by the Vice Chancellor, the new arrangements will come into effect from May 22 until further notice.

The university from this week shall hold online teaching and WFH on Fridays and Green Saturdays for both teaching and non-teaching staff.

The order states that all practical and laboratory classes scheduled on Fridays will be rescheduled to Thursday afternoons to avoid disruption in academic schedules.

It further mandates that departmental and school-level meetings, including Ph.D. viva and workshops, should be conducted online as far as possible. Offline meetings will only be allowed in exceptional cases with prior approval from the competent authority, particularly when multiple activities need to be handled simultaneously.

The move is part of broader cost-cutting and efficiency measures being implemented by the university.