Srinagar, Dec 2: In a glaring instance of official apathy, the scholars, who were selected for M.Phil programme in Clinical Psychology at the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar two years back, are yet to be registered with Kashmir University for undertaking the program.
Documents in possession of GK reveal that in 2011, the GMC Srinagar invited applications from candidates having post-graduation in psychology/applied psychology/cognitive psychology /clinical psychology with 55 percent for M. Phil training course in Clinical Psychology. The training program was to be completed in two years, by March 2013.
Following the submission of applications, 16 candidates were shortlisted for the interview to be conducted by a 12- member panel at the Government Psychiatric Disease hospital Badamwari Srinagar on March 28, 2011.
Finally, four candidatesNasir Muhammad Bhat, Shabnum Ara, Aijaz Ahmed Bhat and Zahoor Ahmed Wageywere selected for the course.
According to the candidates, they joined thwe GMC (Psychiatric Disease hospital) in May 2011 to undertake the program.
Pertinently, the Kashmir University gave a go-ahead to Department of Psychiatry, GMC Srinagar for introducing M. Phil in Clinical Psychology during the Varsitys Syndicate Meeting held on 15-07-2011.
During the same meeting, it was decided that the Departmental Research Committee regarding the M. Phil in Clinical Psychology shall be finalized by the Varsity in consultation with Dean Faculty of Medicine, GMC.
Shockingly, till date the candidates are yet to get registered with KU for undertaking the program.
Even the repeated pleas of affected students to the authorities at the helm- of -affairs at GMC Srinagar have yielded no results.
The Government Psychiatric Hospital Srinagar also took up the issue with GMC Srinagar in September 2011, but to no avail.
Since the admission of first batch of students for M.Phil training program in Clinical Psychology at this institute has commenced from 4/2011 for the session 2011-2013 after completion of prescribed norms of the regulatory authority (Rehabilitation Council of India), however, registration of students for the program in the University of Kashmir is still pending. It is, as such, requested to kindly take up the matter of registration of students with the authorities of Kashmir University which is imperative before part one examination of the course i.e. April- May 2012, reads a letter written by Medical Superintendent/HOD, Psychiatric Hospital to GMC Principal on 16-09-2011.
When contacted, Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Rafiq Pampori said they are hopeful that technical issues regarding the course would be settled soon with Kashmir University.
He said they faced numerous technical difficulties while introducing the course and we are on the job of sorting out these hiccups.