Jammu:Chief Secretary, Atal DullooSaturday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Higher Education Department (HED) to strategise a forward-looking roadmap for advancing higher education and steering Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Jammu and Kashmir towards excellence.
The meeting was attended by the Vice-Chancellors of various Universities; Commissioner Secretary, HED; Registrars of the Universities; Director Colleges; and other senior officers of the department.
The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of institutional accountability and the need for timely reforms in higher education institutions (HEIs) during a meeting following the 5th Chief Secretaries’ Conference. He urged all HEIs to develop actionable plans to implement the recommended reforms, aligning them with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to enhance the quality of higher education in the Union Territory. A thorough review of faculty positions and student enrollment revealed a pressing need to fill faculty vacancies to at least 90 percent by August, highlighting that quality education relies on competent teaching staff. The Chief Secretary called for a comprehensive audit of university courses, advocating for the phasing out of outdated programs in favor of technology-driven courses that meet market demands and student aspirations. He also stressed the importance of regularly updating curricula to incorporate the latest research and developments. In terms of professional education, the Chief Secretary directed Vice-Chancellors to assess engineering and architecture programs to improve enrollment, leveraging existing infrastructure and faculty. He requested evaluations of enrollment trends in affiliated colleges to address low student intake and underscored the need for timely completion of infrastructure development in newly established colleges. During the meeting, Vice-Chancellors reported on the implementation of 21 reform points and presented their roadmaps for effective execution. The Commissioner Secretary provided an overview of the higher education landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, detailing the number of universities and colleges, current student enrollment, and staffing status. Key reform initiatives discussed included the Global Talent Return Scheme, faculty recruitment strategies, curriculum reforms, and the integration of skill-based courses. The agenda also focused on enhancing international collaborations, training faculty in emerging technologies, and increasing international student enrollment. The Chief Secretary reiterated the commitment to transforming the higher education ecosystem into a dynamic and globally competitive sector, aimed at producing skilled and employable youth across Jammu and Kashmir.
