Governor, CM for introduction of courses having present, future relevance

Foundation stone of KU campus laid at Leh
Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, June 18: Stressing the importance of accessibility to higher education, N. N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today, said that the establishment of a Kashmir University Campus in Leh district would enable students living in difficult areas to pursue courses of higher education and learning.
Addressing after laying the foundation stone of Leh Campus of the Kashmir University at Taruthang near here, the Governor and the Chief Minister said that introduction of courses which have current and future relevance and ready marketability should receive priority so that students passing out from the higher educational institutions are gainfully engaged within the State.
The Governor, who is Chancellor of the University, while laying the foundation stone of the campus, in a thought provoking speech dwelt in detail about various aspects relating to the development of higher education institutions and production of qualified human resource which can fruitfully serve the Ladakh region, the State and the country. He underlined the high potential of knowledge being transmitted through faculty exchanges, tele-conferencing and use of internet facility.
The Governor asked the University to consider a scheme for providing full scholarship to the meritorious students who commit to work as teachers for specified periods after gaining qualifications at the University. He also suggested a survey being conducted to assess the needs and aspirations of students of this region so that the campus could consider how best to made their expectations. He observed that the emergence of University Campus in Leh district would relieve parents from incurring huge costs in sending their wards to distant towns to pursue higher education.
On the development of Ladakh, the Governor observed that the State has an ambitious development strategy for the Ladakh region and, presently, the development process is in full swing and the development of a University Campus in Leh district, at this juncture, would also go along way in satisfying geographical diversity needs of the area.
In his speech, the Chief Minister said that the idea of establishing Kashmir University Campuses in Leh and Kargil was conceived in 2009 at a meeting of the Kashmir University Council chaired by the Governor. “We could have announced this important decision three years ago but did not do so as we wanted to first ensure the availability of land and the required funds to build the infrastructure.” he added.
Mr. Omar Abdullah referred to the State Government’s continuing efforts to provide equal opportunities to the students of all regions of the State to receive quality education at their doorsteps. He said that besides a chain of degree colleges established all across the State, the strengthening of the existing University Campuses and setting up new ones are important measures taken by the Government to ensure univesalisation of higher education.
The Chief Minister, who is Pro-Chancellor of Kashmir University, expressed the hope that the Leh Campus would provide an opportunity to the students of the area to pursue higher education and prove their excellence.
He underlined the need for constructing the University infrastructure keeping in view the climatic and geographical conditions of the area. He also emphasized on factoring in the heritage and local architecture in the construction design. He also asked for effective utilization of the solar and wind energy resources for meeting the energy requirements of the Campus.
A. R. Rather, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, speaking on the occasion said that the campus would provide ample opportunity to the students to do post-graduation without moving to different parts of the country. He said that the challenge before the University is to build the infrastructure and provide faculties within the targeted time frame.
Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture, said that the cherished desire of the people of the area has been fulfilled.
Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, in his speech, gave a resume of the development measures the Coalition Government has taken for the development of Leh and Kargil districts.
Rigzin Spalbar, Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, gave details of the various initiatives being taken for the development of the satellite Campuses of the University and the infrastructure to be built at the Leh Campus to begin with.
Meanwhile Lt. Gen. R. Dastane, Corps Commander, 14 Corps, briefed Governor and Chief Minister, about the security situation in the very large area of his responsibility when they visited his Hqrs today.