Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 24: In a significant meeting chaired by Professor Dinesh Singh, Vice-Chairman of the Higher Education Council (HEC) in the Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory, key initiatives aimed at revolutionizing higher education were discussed.
The meeting brought together Vice-Chancellors from various universities in the UT of J&K, along with Principals, to address critical issues and outline the future of higher education in the region.
One of the key initiatives under discussion was the “Design your Degree Program,” a 4-year undergraduate program focusing on project-based learning.
Professor Dinesh Singh emphasized its innovative approach, centered on experiential and practical learning. All Vice-Chancellors pledged to introduce this program in the current academic session, highlighting the need to pool resources effectively.
Professor Singh extended gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor and Chancellor of Universities in the UT of J&K for their unwavering support.
Another ambitious project discussed was the “College on Wheels” (JK Gyanudhay Express), which involves using a fully-equipped train to transform learning into a project-based, problem-solving exercise.
The train will accommodate 800 students and faculty members from across Jammu and Kashmir, earning academic credits through their project work.
This initiative aims to provide inclusive and equitable access to higher education and foster diversity of thought among students. It is scheduled for mid-November, and a dedicated portal/app will facilitate information sharing.
Professor Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu, highlighted the recognition and support their initiatives garnered, including a visit from a Parliamentary Board that expressed appreciation and plans to recommend these programs to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for nationwide implementation. Additionally, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) expressed interest in these programs.
Professor Rai proposed a faculty exchange program among universities in the Union Territory to enhance educators’ capabilities and support these initiatives.
He also announced the formation of a centralized committee to oversee the JK Gyanudhay Express journey and related efforts.
Dr Yasmeen Ashai, Director of Colleges at the Higher Education Department in the UT of J&K, confirmed that faculty for the “Design Your Degree Program” had been identified and that further processes were underway.
Prominent attendees included Vice-Chancellors, Additional Secretaries, Deans, and Principals, highlighting the collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach to transforming higher education in Jammu and Kashmir.
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