Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: University of Jammu signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Adult Education Association (IAEA), New Delhi.
In the signing ceremony, held in the Vice Chancellor’s secretariat, Kailash Chowdhary (Chief Advisor-IAEA), Prof L Raja President, Dean- Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram), Suresh Khandelwal (General Secretary-IAEA) and Kalpana Kaushik (Director-IAEA) were present on behalf of the IAEA whereas the university of Jammu was represented by Professor Umesh Rai (Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu); Prof Naresh Padha (Dean of Academic Affairs JU), Professor Arvind Jasrotia, (Registrar JU) and Dr Jeevan Jyoti (Director-DLL).
Detailed deliberations were held among the stakeholders for possible future endeavours and also reinstate the immense scope being offered under NEP-2020.
While speaking on the occasion, Prof Umesh Rai appreciated the Department of Lifelong Learning for taking the initiative for strengthening institutional ties for a meaningful University-community interface. He also thanked the IAEA for joining hands with the University of Jammu and committing to do hand-holding for a field-based Masters Programme in Rural studies.
It was also emphasized upon to explore the possibilities of engaging faculties from various streams for community-based university interventions in a meaningful manner. The dignitaries present also elaborated upon the common mandate (extension and field outreach) and the possibility of engagement for various academic ventures of mutual interest.
Dr Jeevan Jyoti (Director- DLL) further underlines the utilisation of formal ties for strengthening the professional competence of students of field-dominant Master of Rural Studies.
Proceeding of the MoU was conducted by Dr Priyanka Sharma, Faculty of the Department of Lifelong Learning. The others present in the MOU signing ceremony were Dr Vivek Sharma, Dr Pallavi Sachdeva and Dr Sandeep Singh. After formal signing of the MoU, the experts made a visit to the department and interacted with the students of the Department of Lifelong Learning and oriented the students about various ways and methods of engaging with rural communities in a professional manner. Further, the members also discussed the shared evolution of extension outreach and the possible domains of employment opportunities coming up for rural development professionals.