Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Sep 8: The Jammu and Kashmir government has finally started the process for appointment of director SKIMS Soura by inviting applications for the same.
A notification issues by the SKIMS, Soura in this regard, reads that online applications on prescribed proforma are invited from Indian Nationals for the position of Director, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The notification is available on the official website of SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar.
“The age of the candidate on January 1, 2021 shall not exceed 62 years and this age limit shall not be subject to any relaxation and the appointment of the candidate shall be made on tenure basis up to a maximum period of five years or till the appointee attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. However, this will not have any effect on the retirement age of other faculty members or staff of the Institute,” reads the notification, adding that “A candidate shall be eligible if he possess a high postgraduate qualification in Medicine or Surgery or Public Health and their branches as specified by Medical Council of India(now National Medical Commission) for Teachers in Medical Institutions in its various schedules; teaching and research experience of not less than ten years; experience of not less than 25 years in the profession; and extensive practical and administrative experience in the field of medical research, medical education, medical relief or public health organization and experience of running an Important scientific medical education institution as its Head or Head of Department.”
As per the notification, the Governing body of Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), shall be the appointing authority for the post of Director.
Recommendations made by a Government Department or any University or any other recognized autonomous or Statutory Institution shall also be treated as applications. “Applications and recommendations shall contain the details of the candidates as specified in the advertisement, the Selection Committee shall, after receiving applications/recommendations, examine the bio-data and other record of the candidates that may be available and assess each case on the basis of academic qualification; Teaching experience; research experience and Practical and administrative experience,” the notification reads further.
It states that after assessing the candidate on the basis of aforesaid criteria, the Selection Committee may call such candidate as it may deem necessary, for a personal interaction to make further assessment of the candidate and the Selection Committee shall, after completing the process of assessment, prepare a panel of three candidates in order of merit which will be placed before the Governing body for making Selection for the post of Director.
“Applications duly completed in all respects and accompanied with the documentary evidence, as per the prescribed proforma, shall be uploaded online on www.skims.ac.in by or before 07-10-2021,” the notification reads.
Meanwhile, sources said that the Dean Medical Faculty SKIMS, Dr Omar Javaid Shah and Dr Salim Wani from Department of Urology were the front runners for the top post.
Pertinently, Dr A G Ahangar whose term was extended for a period of six months in June had joined as director in July 2016, however, he was removed in January 2018 but he got the top position again in September 2019 after court directions.
Ahangar was supposed to retire in June this year, however, he was given an extension for a period of six months.
Notably, several doctors and HOD’s had written to government seeking immediate advertise of the post of the director after reports were pouring in that Ahangar might get extension, however, in the same period around 46 doctors had demanded continuation in favour of Ahangar citing Covid-19 situation.
