O P Sharma
The origin and fact paced growth story of over 52 years old institution of higher learning Jammu University is a matter of great pride for all students, experts and experienced faculty as also the common people of this part of the country.
It may be added that now all subjects of higher learning and research work in most subjects by talented students and faculty is earning for it, a place of pride.
It has been under the imaginative, innovative, dynamic as also inspiring administration and guidance of Chancellors , Pro-Chancellors and Vice Chancellors as also leading lights of Jammu from time to time, that it has become an institution of excellence.
A special convocation of JU is being held on June 22,2023 in Jammu in which the Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar will the Chief Guest and would award degrees to successful candidates at a magnificent function to be attended by dignitaries including the VC and other high ranking officers, and students.
It is amazing and exciting to know that J U was created during Oct 1969 through an Ordinance passed by the J&K Legislature when Bhagwan Sahay was the Governor. Worth mentioning that the JU, a wing of then J&K varsity was located in the SPM College building complex with first VC a noted economist Prof J.N.Bhan. The new born varsity operated from there and was later shifted to nearby “Old Campus” ( also with insufficient space and amenities) but subsequently shifted to Bahu-wali Rakh, covering an area of 118.78 acres on Baba Saheb Ambedkar road, Jammu, which gradually developed in a phased manner into a decent beautiful campus with decent buildings housing different study courses of higher learning, modern infrastructure, lush-green lawns, parking lots, canteen and all necessary amenities for the students, faculty and all other staff members. The majestic well-stocked modern Dhanwantri Library, two magnificent Auditoriums named Gen Zorawar Singh, and the Brig. Rajinder Singh, along with other notable institutions are a testimony to its growth.
The notable Vice-Chancellors (VCs) who served this university included : Prof J.N. Bhan (Sept 1969 – Dec 1973), J.D. Sharma (Dec 1973 Feb 1978) , Prof S.C. Dube ( Mar 1978 – July 1980 ), Prof. Satya Bhushan (July 1980- Feb 1982), Prof M.R. Puri (Feb 1982 – Feb 1986), Prof M.L. Lakhanpal (Mar 1986 – August 1992), Prof. Y.R. Malhotra (August 1992 – Dec 1996), Prof R.R. Sharma (Dec 1996 – Nov 2002), Prof. Amitabh Mattoo (Nov 2002 – Dec 2008), Prof. Varun Sahni (Dec 2008 – Jan 2012), Prof. MPS Ishar (Jan 2012- Oct 2014), Prof R.D. Sharma (Oct 2014 – July 2018), Prof. Manoj K. Dhar (July 2018- and the present – incumbent is Prof.Umesh Rai. It is worth mentioning that all of them have put in their best to further widen all the frontiers of this premier institution in the Duggarland .
We must all put all-out effort to fully tap the latent talent of our youth , girls and boys, to educate, enlighten and also empower them to squarely meet the challenges of know-how in the fast changing knowledge in science, technology, languages including our mother-tongue Dogri literature, communications, arts, sports and commerce as also all other spheres of human activities and explore new frontiers of knowledge.
Gradual Growth
The interesting and informative story of JU for over five decades has been well-told in a beautiful volume: “Rich Past Vibrant Future” put out by the Publication unit of the JU which everyone would like to glance and go through it with pleasure and profit.
Out-reach Education Mode
It is noteworthy. that this high learning JU his spread all across Jammu region with campuses for people in remote hilly areas like Bhaderwah, Reasi, Poonch and Kathua providing opportunity to the students there.
JU has proud record number of PGs courses in almost all the modern subjects in Dogri, Hindi, English, Urdu, Mathematics, Philosophy, History, Economics, Commerce, Sociology, Philosophy and so on with Sciences subjects getting due importance; for example Geology, Home Sciences; Library & Information Science; Zoology; Physics, Chemistry, Botony to name only few. The full-fledged Law and Security studies are also taken up with full fervour .
The mode of education through the distance learning is steadily and sharply getting popularity among youth especially girls from across Jammu region. The present Director, Distance Education, Dr. Neelu Rohmetra, is reportedly making sustained endeavors for spreading higher learning through this easy and popular mode for overall advancement of our young boys and girls which really holds a promise for future .
Like thousands others I have been proud product of the JU as I passed MA (History) in 1964-66 and am now Life Member of JUAA.
Constant efforts are afoot to ensure quality control as also discipline, devotion of duty; nationalism; spirit of service to the society and during last 50 years the varsity has carved out a niche for itself as an institution of high reputation and records. The Central and UT Administration must accord top priority to education both at elementary and higher learning within Jammu region.
Notable to state that there are other varsities like : Jammu Central University : SMVDU, SKUAST, Baba Ghulam Shah University, Rajouri besides Engineering College Jammu and also prestigious institutions like IIIM; IMS and so on.
All-round advancement
This Varsity has made all-round strides in all spheres having a vast campus with modern building and update infrastructure. We must remember sane words of Prime Minster Modi who has opined ” It fulfils the purpose if they can find out ways of achieving those feat which haven’t been achieved till now ” . The tasks ahead are challenging indeed. To meet the new academic, science and technological horizons our youth – boys and girls have to come up to the new needs of skill development in all spheres on the world – class standards. It is hoped that present Chancellor and the Vice – Chancellor, along with student and teaching faculty will ensure smooth and speedy development in all spheres of “Education to All”.
(The author is Jammu based Journalist and a Life Member of JUAA.)
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