Srinagar | Sept, 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) and the University of Kashmir have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly offer a two-year Diploma Programme in Traditional and Professional Calligraphy, marking a significant initiative towards preserving, promoting and imparting structured training in the rich calligraphic traditions of Jammu and Kashmir.
The MoU was signed by Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL, and Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Registrar, University of Kashmir, in the presence of senior officials and academic functionaries of both institutions.
The programme has been conceived to provide systematic training in traditional as well as contemporary calligraphic practices while creating avenues for skill development and professional advancement in the field. The collaboration will bring together the cultural expertise and resources of JKAACL with the academic and institutional framework of the University of Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, Harvinder Kour, said that the collaboration represents an important step towards safeguarding the region’s traditional knowledge and artistic practices through formal education and structured training.
She said JKAACL has a significant role in promoting the languages, literature, arts and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir and would extend its expertise and resources for imparting practical training in traditional calligraphy.
Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, said that the programme would place traditional calligraphic practices within a structured academic and skill-development framework and provide learners with opportunities for professional training and advancement.
- M. Sharma, Principal Secretary Culture, appreciated the initiative and said that such institutional collaborations have long-term significance in strengthening cultural and academic activities. He added that the Department would explore further avenues of collaboration with the University of Kashmir in other areas.
The programme will be offered through the Pran Krishan Kaul Institute of Music and Fine Arts (IMFA), University of Kashmir, in collaboration with JKAACL. The two-year diploma programme will have an intake of 10 students in each academic session, with candidates who have passed 10+2 or an equivalent examination being eligible to apply.
Under the programme, three months of academic instruction each year will be conducted at IMFA, while the remaining period, dedicated to practical and traditional calligraphy training, will be conducted at the premises of JKAACL. The arrangement is intended to provide students with both academic grounding and hands-on exposure to traditional calligraphic techniques.
Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Kashmir, and Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Registrar, University of Kashmir, highlighted the academic significance of the collaboration and said that the programme would establish a meaningful linkage between the University’s academic framework and JKAACL’s cultural expertise and resources.
The signing ceremony was attended by Ideel Saleem, Additional Secretary, JKAACL; Dr. Habibullah Shah, Principal, IMFA, University of Kashmir; Dr. Ashfaq Zarri, Special Secretary to Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir besides other senior officials and functionaries of both institutions.
The initiative is expected to contribute towards the preservation, promotion and transmission of traditional calligraphic practices while equipping young learners with specialised skills and creating opportunities in the cultural, creative and professional fields.
