Sea change in edu sector after Art 370 revocation: UGC chief

Aksheev Thakur

New Delhi, March 4

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has observed positive transformation in Jammu and Kashmir’s education sector since the revocation of Article 370, said University Grant Commission chairman M Jagadesh Kumar in a special interaction with The Tribune.

“The improved stability in the region has encouraged a more conducive environment for uninterrupted learning. The arrival of IIT, IIM, and AIIMS in Jammu will strengthen the entire educational ecosystem in the region. It is good to know that the three premium institutions have designed a joint MBA course in Hospital Administration & Healthcare. It will give a unique advantage of learning the basics of management and operations from IIM Jammu and technological aspects from IIT Jammu and gaining subsequent practical, hands-on experience in managing hospitals and healthcare services at AIIMS Jammu,” he added.

A significant number of students appearing for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2023 are from Jammu and Kashmir.

“It increased by a factor of 7 from 2022. Also, the number of students registered on the Academic Bank of Credits platform from the J&K region has crossed the 1 lakh mark and is on the rise. This highlights the students’ increased participation in the educational advancement of the region. Under the PM-USHA scheme, funding for the infrastructure of higher education institutions in the region is also rising. In the latest interim budget, the share of the Central Universities has also increased, which will directly benefit the Central Universities in the J&K region. With all these positive developments, active student participation, encouragement from higher educational institutions, and the government’s continued support, University Grants Commission is committed to supporting all educational advancements in Jammu and Kashmir,” Kumar said.

Condusive environment

The improved stability in the region has encouraged a more conducive environment for uninterrupted learning. The arrival of IIT, IIM, and AIIMS in Jammu will strengthen the entire educational ecosystem in the region. — M Jagadesh Kumar, chairman, UGC