Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 26: Private universities are set to play a key role in boosting education, employment and research opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir, experts said today, as stakeholders strongly backed the newly enacted Private University Act at a major education conclave here.
Speakers at a conference held here asserted that the legislation would help create new academic institutions, generate jobs and reduce the outflow of students from the Union Territory, while strengthening industry linkages and research capacity.
The conclave brought together academicians, policymakers and school representatives to deliberate on the future of education in J&K.
Participants endorsed the Act introduced under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo, describing it as a major step towards strengthening the education ecosystem.
MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah said the move would provide much-needed exposure to local youth and open new avenues for higher education within the region, reducing dependence on institutions outside J&K.
Chairperson of Shri Khushal Das University, Dinesh Juneja, said private universities would not only impart education but also generate employment, research opportunities and industry collaboration, assuring full institutional support.
Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, emphasised the importance of academic excellence, research and institutional collaboration, while calling for aligning school and higher education systems.
National Independent Schools Alliance President Kulbhushan Sharma stressed the need to move beyond rote learning towards skill-based education, saying such reforms are essential to make students employable and future-ready.
Educationist G. N. Var termed the legislation a landmark reform, noting that the private school sector already caters to lakhs of students in Kashmir and contributes significantly to employment generation.
The conference, themed “Connecting Schools with Universities: Aspirations and Opportunities for J&K Youth,” concluded with a call for stronger institutional linkages, adoption of modern teaching methods and collaborative efforts to position J&K as an emerging hub of higher education and innovation.
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