University of Kashmir Convocation Complex

{{Short description|Auditorium complex in the University of Kashmir}} {{Use British English|date=March 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox venue | name = Kashmir University Convocation Complex | native_name = | native_name_lang = | logo_image = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | image = University Convocation Complex, University of Kashmir.png | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = University Convocation Complex, University of Kashmir | coordinates = {{coord|34|7|46|N|74|50|15.22|E|type:landmark_region:IN_scale:100|display=inline,title}}

| address = Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India | location = Hazratbal Campus | owner = University of Kashmir | operator = Directorate of Convocation Complex | built = 1981 | opened = 7 July 2007 | cost = {{Indian Rupee}} 8 Crores INR | website = http://ucc.uok.edu.in }}

'''University of Kashmir Convocation Complex''' is a multi-purpose auditorium complex located inside the main campus of University of Kashmir. It is one of the largest auditorium facilities not only in Jammu and Kashmir, India, but in the whole of North India.<ref>{{cite news|last = Wani|first=Arif Shafi|title=Forget SKICC, KU's Convocation Complex to be biggest in north India|newspaper=Greater Kashmir|location=Srinagar|date=2007-05-14|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2007/May/14/forget-skicc-ku-s-convocation-complex-to-be-biggest-in-north-india-61.asp|access-date=2012-01-04}}</ref>

The Complex is spread over an area of 25,000 sq ft and conveniently accessible from two of the gates of University Campus; Sir Syed Gate and Maulana Rumi Gate. It has a seating capacity of 2500 persons.

The Complex was constructed by University Construction Division with assistance from Kadiri Consultants, Mumbai and Construction Engineers, Srinagar.

The first director to head the Directorate of Convocation Complex was Dr. S Mufeed Ahmed of the Business School, University of Kashmir. Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir is currently Director of the Complex.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Directorate of Convocation Complex, University of Kashmir |url=https://ucc.uok.edu.in/Main/Message.aspx?Type=HeadMessage |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=ucc.uok.edu.in}}</ref>

== History == Sensing the need for such a facility,<ref>{{cite news |title=Kashmir University to have its convocation complex |work=Oneindia.in |date=2007-03-06 |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2007/03/06/kashmir-https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=University_Convocation_Complex&action=edituniversity-to-have-its-convocation-complex-1173182285.html }}{{dead link|date=February 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> work on the University Convocation Complex commenced on 7 November 1981 when the foundation stone of the multi-Crore project was laid by then Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Soon after, the construction work remained suspended for several years due to technical reasons.

Work on the Complex however resumed in February 2004 after a peer team from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council while on an on-site visit suggested that the completion of the Complex be undertaken. The university's Construction Division with the help of Kadiri Consultants, Mumbai and Construction Engineers, Srinagar went on to complete the Complex and it was finally thrown open on 4 July 2007 by Lt Gen (Retd.) S K Sinha, who was then Chancellor of the University of Kashmir.

== Construction == Construction of this complex cost {{Indian Rupee}} 8 crores.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070623/real1.htm#4 | title=Valley's biggest auditorium | date=2007-06-23 | access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref>

==Noted visitors to the complex== * Former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee<ref name=PTI>{{cite news|title=Pranab to visit Jammu and Kashmir for three days|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Pranab-to-visit-Jammu-and-Kashmir-for-three-days/SP-Article1-935568.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926075606/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Pranab-to-visit-Jammu-and-Kashmir-for-three-days/SP-Article1-935568.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 September 2012|access-date=10 April 2013|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=25 September 2012}}</ref> *Former President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil<ref>{{cite news|last=Bukhari|first=Shujaat|title=Building a future of hope for J&K a collective endeavour|newspaper=The Hindu|location=Srinagar|date=2008-05-27|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/27/stories/2008052755041000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529161632/http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/27/stories/2008052755041000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-05-29|access-date=2012-01-04}}</ref> *Vice President of India, Mohammad Hamid Ansari<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kashmiruniversity.net/convocation/3.pdf|title=Convocation Address by Shri M Hamid Ansari|year=2009|access-date=2012-01-04|archive-date=12 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012055012/http://kashmiruniversity.net/convocation/3.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> *Minister of Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh<ref name=himayat>{{cite news|url=http://ilfsets.com/news/2011/Dec/himayat|title=Project Himayat launched in Kashmir|work=IL&FS|date=2011-12-17|access-date=2012-01-04|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424125523/http://www.ilfsets.com/news/2011/Dec/himayat/|url-status=dead}}</ref> *Former Chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, C. Rangarajan<ref name=himayat /> *Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Narinder Nath Vohra<ref>{{cite news|title=CUs POSE CHALLENGE TO STATE UNIVERSITIES: VOHRA|newspaper=Greater Kashmir|location=Srinagar|date=2010-05-27 |url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2010/May/27/cus-pose-challenge-to-state-universities-vohra-49.asp|access-date=2012-01-04}}</ref> *Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah<ref name=himayat /> *Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed *Jagjit Singh<ref>{{cite news|title=Jagjit Singh enthralls ghazal lovers in Kashmir|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/Jagjit-Singh-enthralls-ghazal-lovers-in-Kashmir/articleshow/8168308.cms|access-date=11 January 2012|newspaper=Times of India|date=5 May 2011|agency=IANS}}</ref> *A G Noorani<ref>{{cite news|title=A G Noorani to release Rising Kashmir|url=http://www.merinews.com/clogArticle/a-g-noorani-to-release-rising-kashmir-130908|access-date=11 January 2012|newspaper=merinews|date=9 March 2008}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Directors of the Complex==

*Prof. Sheikh Mufeed Ahmad (2007 to 2011) *Dr. Muhammad Shafi Sumbli (2011 to August 2018) *Mr. Altaf Ahmad Bhat (September 2018 - incumbent)

== See also == * University of Kashmir * Srinagar * Hazratbal * Dal Lake

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == *[http://ucc.uok.edu.in University Convocation Complex Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426081028/http://ucc.uok.edu.in/ |date=26 April 2012 }} *[http://www.kashmiruniversity.net University of Kashmir Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023192747/http://www.kashmiruniversity.net/ |date=23 October 2008 }}

Category:University and college buildings and structures completed in 2007 Category:University of Kashmir Category:Buildings and structures in Srinagar Category:Indoor arenas in India Category:University sports venues in India Category:2007 establishments in Jammu and Kashmir