# Government Degree College, Sopore

Government Degree College Sopore is an educational institution located in the town of Sopore in the Baramulla District of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The college was established in 1951 to provide higher education to the students of the area. It is one of the oldest institutes in the valley of Kashmir and is National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accredited "A". In its third cycle of NAAC assessment, the college was awarded grade A, for the first time in its history, after a NAAC peer team visit took place on May 10-11, 2023.

## History

Government Degree College, Sopore Kashmir was established as an intermediate college in 1949, then housed in present Boys Higher Secondary Institute Sopore with Late Prof. Mufti Jalal-ud-din as its first principal. The foundation stone of the college was formally laid down by the Prime Minister Hon’ble Late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah on 27 September 1951 starting with a meager roll of 50 odd students in 1951. The institution has presently 5500 students on rolls, with about 2500 girl students making it the biggest multi-disciplinary co-education institution of the valley.
In 1970 it became affiliated with the University of Kashmir.
The college emblem is “Minnaz Zulumati illan Noor” (English: “from darkness to light”).
The college is funded by the state government and boasts a distinguished faculty of over 50 permanent professors. In addition to the core faculty, the institution has access to a pool of 60 contracted teachers, allowing for flexibility in addressing any staffing needs.

## Campus

Since 1951, college has developed into a multi-faculty institution with faculty of Arts, Science, Commerce and Management and Computer Applications, all manned by academics with considerable potential, research and teaching experience.
This college is housing IGNOU Study Centre since January, 2000 that provides platform for providing education to large segment of population through distance mode.
The campus features a main building along with a variety of specialized structures to support academic and extracurricular activities. These include the Admissions Block, Science Block (housing the Botany and Chemistry departments as well as classrooms), Geo-sciences Building, Commerce and Management Studies Building, Computer Applications and IT Building, Department of Tourism & Travel Management Building, Biotechnology Department Building, Examination Block, Laboratory Building, and a Canteen.
The campus also includes a Gymnasium, multiple washroom facilities, and a well-equipped library with a dedicated reading room for newspapers, magazines, and other materials. For cultural and recreational events, the college offers a decorated auditorium and an indoor stadium, supported by an active Sports Department. Additionally, the Botany Department maintains a botanical garden with a lily pond and an array of tree species, providing a serene environment for both study and relaxation, Greenhouse, Fern-house and Herbal Garden are installed in the presently existing Botanical Garden. Solar Park for college, fair price shop equipped with stationery items are coming up in the campus. fast food facilities, Internet facilities /Broadband facilities and An EDUSAT facilities connected with main hub at Srinagar has been made functional.
For e-governance of admissions, examinations and internet connectivity, the University of Kashmir has raised facility by erecting the towers and providing gadgetry support. College Library has Automation Support.

## Courses Offered

1. Bachelors Programme in Business Administration (6 Semester Course)
2. Certificate Course in Retail Management – 50 Students
3. Certificate Course in Int. Business Management – 50 Students
4. Certificate Course in Tourism & Hospitality Management – 50 Students
5. Certificate Course in Information Technology – 50 Students.
6. Bachelors of Commerce (6 Semester Course)
7. Bachelors of Arts (6 Semester Course)

## MOU’s Undertaken by the Deptt. of Management Studies

1. Tripartite MOU entered with Deptt. of Higher Education J&K Govt., University of Kashmir, SKUAST – K Shalimar for rolling out Skill Development Programme in our College.
2. NASCOM Noida, Sector Skill Council for Curriculum Alignment, Assessment & Support for Skill Programme approved by UGC.
3. Tourism Hospitality Sector Skill Council (THSC) for Curriculum Alignment, Assessment & Support for Skill Programme approved by UGC.
4. Homemade & Apparel Designing Sector Skill Council for Curriculum Alignment, Assessment & Support for Skill Programme approved by UGC.
5. Retail Association Sector Skill Council for Curriculum Alignment, Assessment & Support for Skill Programme approved by UGC.
6. NIELIT Srinagar for Training / Skill Development of Students on Basic Certificate Course in Computer, GST Tally Accounting.
7. MOU with JKEDI Pampore, New Gen Incubation Centre University of Kashmir Under Progress.
The college offers courses a wide range of courses, such as Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Commerce and is affiliated with the University of Kashmir. It has also adding additional "add on" courses to their curriculum to meet the better meet the market needs for employed and self-employed works. The aim is to develop "career and market-oriented" training that broaden the students skill set.

## Noted archaeological find

In 1990 a group of geology students studied soil strata with Dr. A.M. Dur and M.S. Lone and happened upon exposed elephant tusk in the village of Galandar in the Pulwama district. Further excavation resulting in the find of an additional elephant tusk, skull and other fossils and remains which were examined by Dr. Mohammad Ismail Bhat at Kashmir University. Stone tools found in the area and the presence of percussion marks on the elephant skull indicate that the elephant was killed by humans with primitive tools. The remains are considered to be at least 50,000 years old and may be as much as 10 million years old. The remains are the first clear evidence that there may have been human in South Asia during the Paleolithic age.

## Notable alumni

* Engineer Rashid (Member of Parliament Baramulla)
* Syed Ali Shah Geelani (Chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat)