Management failures cripple Kashmir University

Significant worries are rising regarding the increasing lack of staff at the University of Kashmir, where numerous important administrative and technical roles have gone unfilled for years, hindering the effective operation of the institution. While the university has recently posted advertisements for some positions, many essential roles still remain vacant. Among these are the roles of Director of IT & SS, Director of EMMRC, Deputy Director of DIQA, and two Assistant Director roles in DIQA. Reports indicate that the Director IT & SS position has been unoccupied for nearly 13 years, with an acting official managing the department since 2014. Likewise, the position of Director at the Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMMRC) has been vacant for approximately seven years, withtemporary arrangements continuing in its place.
The prolonged absence of permanent leadership in such important departments has raised questions about administrative efficiency and long-term planning. The situation at EMMRC has particularly drawn criticism from insiders who believe the centre has failed to live up to its potential. Once expected to play a key role in producing quality educational media and digital learning content, the centre is now widely viewed as underperforming, with concerns about the effectiveness and competence of its faculty and overall direction.
Vacancies are not limited to academic or administrative offices. Several posts in the university’s Construction Division—including Junior Engineers, electricians, linemen, plumbers, and other technical staff—also remain unfilled. According to a senior professor, the shortage of technical staff has weakened supervision of construction and maintenance works, increasing the risk of poor-quality work.