Rakesh Magotra
On my recent visit to Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, I was awestruck by the vibrant educational ecosystem that had been created in the city. Not only were there prestigious colleges and institutes of national importance, but also thriving technology parks where Indian reputed and multinational IT companies were located, providing abundant employment opportunities for graduates. This stark contrast prompted me to reflect on the state of higher education in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the presence of NIT, IIT, IIM,AIIMS, IIMC in the region and their impact on employment, innovation, and the economy.
While JKUT boasts of prestigious educational institutions such as IIT, IIM, AIIMS, IIMC etc. in Jammu, the absence of significant job opportunities remains a glaring issue. During my interactions with students from these institutions of eminence, they expressed their fondness for studying in Jammu and Kashmir. However, they also lamented the dearth of suitable employment options commensurate with their educational qualifications.
One of the students of IIT Jammu, who hails from Uttar Pradesh and passed out this year told me, “We had a completely different picture of this place before coming. However, over the last four years, we have realized how beautiful this place and its people are. It is not only safe, but has really good quality of life. We won’t mind working here, but there are hardly any good national/multinational companies in this region. We have to go where good jobs are.”
It became evident that despite their willingness to work locally, they felt compelled to seek opportunities elsewhere due to the lack of substantial career opportunities in the region. It got me thinking and took me back to my recent work visit to Bhubaneswar where I saw huge tech parks that complement the robust education system in the city. The stark similarities and the differences between the two places really struck me. Both places are said to be undergoing a tech revolution. While Jammu boasts of having IIT and IIM, and NIT not so far in Srinagar, Bhubaneswar has quality institutes including the IIT, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), and Xavier University among others.
Both cities have strategic locations. While Bhubaneswar is well-connected to other parts of Eastern India, Jammu holds a similar place in the north. Both places have a large pool of educated youth and JKUT is also having an edge with its English-speaking youth. Most important of all, both the cities are high on priority list of the government.
However, when it comes to the tech landscape, this is where things get different. While driving in the city of Bhubaneswar, I saw huge tech parks with multinational companies like Infosys, IBM, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and Deloitte in close vicinity to each other. There are also companies like Accenture and Cognizant in the city. This provides a conducive environment for the city to become a technological hub which would benefit both the region and the youth across the country. It is estimated that there are over 100,000 tech jobs in Bhubaneswar in 2023.
In contrast, Jammu boasts of great technological and management institutes but does not have any multinational companies that can absorb the talent that comes out of these institutes. So essentially, the graduates spend two to four years in Jammu and then move out to look for greener pastures contributing to the economy of big metro cities and other tier-II cities like Bhubaneswar, Noida, Gurugram, Jaipur, Bhopal, Coimbatore, Indore, Mysore and so on. So the talent pool that is created here is hardly contributing to the economy of the Union Territory of J&K.
Need for Comprehensive Development:
Simply establishing national educational institutions is insufficient; it must be accompanied by efforts to attract and facilitate the presence of prominent companies in Jammu. A comprehensive approach is required to bridge the gap between education and employment, fostering an ecosystem that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. This will also benefit the engineering & MBA students from Jammu University, SMVD University, Kashmir University etc.
To transform JKUT into a thriving hub of innovation and industry, several steps can be taken. First, there should be a focus on developing industrial infrastructure and establishing technology parks that can accommodate both local startups and multinational corporations. These hubs would serve as catalysts for job creation and skill development. By providing state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive ecosystem, they can attract companies to set up offices and research centers, thus providing opportunities for graduates.
Second, initiatives should be implemented to promote collaboration between academia and industry. Encouraging research partnerships, internships, and industry-academia interactions can enhance the practical relevance of education and equip students with the necessary skills to meet industry demands. This could involve establishing dedicated research and development centers within the IIT and IIM, fostering innovation and applied research in partnership with industries.
Third, the government and local authorities should offer incentives to attract companies to set up offices in Jammu. This could include tax benefits, infrastructure support, and streamlined regulatory procedures, making it more appealing for companies to invest in the region. Additionally, creating specialized industry clusters that align with the strengths of the region, such as tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy, can further attract companies and spur economic growth.
It is crucial to ensure that those who study in IITs and IIMs in Jammu and Kashmir choose to stay in the region after completing their education. Creating an environment that provides fulfilling career opportunities and a high quality of life is essential. This can be achieved through the concerted efforts of the government, industry, and educational institutions. Concomitantly entrepreneurship support programs, incubation centers, and access to venture capital can encourage graduates to start their own ventures in Jammu and Kashmir.
Other cities and states have successfully created an ecosystem that combines premier educational institutions with thriving industries. For instance, Bengaluru’s transformation into India’s Silicon Valley and Hyderabad’s emergence as a global IT hub showcase the potential impact of such a symbiotic relationship. By studying these success stories and adapting relevant strategies to the context of Jammu and Kashmir, the region can unlock its true potential and drive holistic development.
The establishment of IITs and IIMs in Jammu and Kashmir marks a significant milestone in the region’s educational landscape. However, the true impact of these institutions will only be realized when they are coupled with efforts to attract prominent companies, foster innovation, and create job opportunities. By taking proactive measures to bridge the gap between education and employment, Jammu and Kashmir can unleash its potential and pave the way for a prosperous future. It will also arrest the brain drain from JK UT to other states or else we will be staring at a big crisis of urban centers turning into Old Age Homes and stagnating economy with limited employment opportunities.
(The author is a DeputyGeneral Manager in JK Bank.)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
