Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha convened a significant high-level meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Council at Lok Bhavan, where comprehensive strategies for the holistic transformation of the region’s education sector were thoroughly deliberated upon. The council, under the direct leadership of the Lieutenant Governor, explored various avenues to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education across the Union Territory, aiming to align it with national and international benchmarks of excellence. Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that a primary focus of these discussions was the effective implementation of the ‘Design Your Degree’ (DYD) program, including the widespread adoption of its official manual across all universities. This initiative is designed to offer students greater flexibility and choice in shaping their academic paths, fostering a more personalized and outcome-oriented learning experience. The council also examined strategies for integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the existing curriculum. This integration is seen as crucial for equipping students with the skills necessary for the modern workforce and for promoting entrepreneurship, knowledge-based skills, and the development of human capital essential for achieving the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ or Developed India. Lieutenant Governor Sinha emphasized the imperative for effective, on-ground implementation of these innovative programs and initiatives within higher educational institutions. He underscored the need for seamless synergy between central and Union Territory educational bodies to drive a comprehensive transformation of the education sector. “We must establish benchmarks aligned with both national and international standards, ensuring that Jammu Kashmir’s education sector stands as a model of excellence in the country,” the Lieutenant Governor stated, as reported by the Daily Excelsior. The commitment to elevating the standard of education in Jammu and Kashmir was a recurring theme throughout the meeting, with a clear objective to position the region as a leader in educational innovation and delivery. The council’s deliberations extended to fostering a culture of collaboration and shared learning among institutions. A key proposal involved establishing a regular mechanism to ensure cooperation and collaboration between various institutions within Jammu and Kashmir. This would facilitate the engendering of Joint Degree Programmes and the creation of a common technology-based platform for the sharing of best practices, innovative ideas, and academic programs. Such a platform is expected to enhance the overall quality of education and promote inter-institutional learning. Furthermore, the council addressed strategies to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education, a critical indicator of access and participation. Special initiatives, including the innovative concept of ‘The Riverine College’ and an AI Competition, were also discussed as means to stimulate student engagement and technological advancement. The financial aspects of these initiatives were also reviewed, with discussions on the JKHEC budget utilization for 2025-26 and budget allocations for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27, ensuring that the proposed reforms are supported by adequate financial resources. Vice Chancellors and members of the council actively contributed their insights on the future trajectory of the DYD program and other crucial interventions in higher education, particularly in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The implementation of NEP 2020 was recognized as a foundational element for many of these proposed reforms, aiming to create a more flexible, multidisciplinary, and skill-oriented education system. The discussions highlighted the council’s proactive approach to educational reform, focusing on both technological integration and pedagogical innovation. The emphasis on realizing human potential, as articulated by Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman of the JKHEC, who emphasized that the core mission must remain the realization of human potential, ensuring that higher education directly fosters societal service and enhances student productivity, resonated throughout the meeting. This perspective underscores the belief that education should not only impart knowledge but also cultivate responsible citizens and productive members of society. The meeting was attended by a distinguished gathering of educational leaders and administrative officials, including Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman, J&K Higher Education Council; Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Administrative Secretary, Skill Development; Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department; Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Nilofer Khan, VC Kashmir University; Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, VC, IUST; Pragati Kumar, VC SMVDU; Prof BN Tripathi, VC SKUAST Jammu; Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, VC Central University of Kashmir; Prof. Sanjeev Jain, VC Central University of Jammu; Prof. Jawaid Iqbal, VC BGSBU; Prof. Mohammad Mobin, VC Cluster University Srinagar; Prof Manoj Singh Gaur, Director IIT Jammu; Prof Kavi Arya from IIT Bombay; Shobha Bagai, Director, Cluster Innovation Centre Delhi University; Prof Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Director of Colleges, J&K; Dr Seema Naz, Nodal Principal, Government College of Education; and Dr Ravinder Kumar Tickoo, Principal, GCW Parade Jammu, among other members. The collective expertise and diverse perspectives brought to the table by these participants are expected to significantly contribute to the successful implementation of the ambitious educational reforms planned for the Union Territory.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
