news details |
|
|
| UGC gives J-K Rs 40.50 cr for four new colleges | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | May 2
The persistent request of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to the centre for releasing financial assistance for construction of 4 colleges 2 each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions through 100 percent UGC funding has borne fruit. Over Rs. 40.50 crore has been earmarked for construction of four new colleges in the state by the University Grants Commission. Out of the total estimate about 50 percent would be released during the current financial year for the upcoming colleges each at Uri, Bijbehara, Ramban and Billawar.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary UGC Mr R. K Chouhan said that the guidelines of the Eleventh Five Year plan lays major thrust on widening the accessibility of higher education opportunities. Under this plan, he said there is a proposal of opening 30 universities throughout the country. Keeping in view the border location of the state of Jammu and Kashmir one such university has been granted to it, which will ensure that the benefits of higher education reach the weaker and minority sections of the society. He stressed for clubbing the different schemes at micro level to a single major scheme so that bottlenecks are removed in one go and work can start on the scheme at the earliest. He said that in the present age of globalization and privatization the thrust of higher education has shifted to quality education and job oriented course. On liberal funding he informed that usually UGC funding is about Rs.5 to Rs. 6 crore for each college at national level but in J&K, the percentage is much higher.
On Foundation Training Courses, Mr. Chouhan agreed to provide training to Principals in Bangalore.
This was disclosed at a high level meeting convened under the chairmanship of Secretary UGC Mr Chouhan here today. Secretary Higher and Technical Education, Mr. K. M. Wani, Director Colleges Mr. N. D. Wani, Director Colleges Development, Mrs. Meenakshi Kilm, Registrars of Jammu University and Kashmir University, Principals of different colleges and lecturers were present on the occasion.
Highlighting the achievements, Mr. K. M. Wani apprised that for the last five years, the Higher Education Department has entered into a new era of transformation and specialization to meet the emerging challenges of the globalized era. Presently, 72 government colleges are in the state, out of which, 54 Government Degree Colleges and three Grant-in-Aid Colleges are functioning in the state. Nearly 14 colleges under Prime Minister’s Re-Construction Plan four under MHRD/ UGC and four colleges under state funding have been set up since 2003. He said that the government that includes 10 under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan and eight under State Plan has announced 18 more colleges. In the private sector, 16 colleges are imparting general education to the students, 144 private B.Ed colleges have been set up to impart teacher training in the state and 27 Post Graduate courses have been introduced in various subjects in state colleges.
On professional courses, it was apprised that mass communication, MCA, MBA, BCA, BBA, BIT, Bio-Technology etc have been started in different colleges. The Government College of Engineering and Technology, which was set up at Jammu to cater to the need of migrants has become a full-fledged engineering college. The first phase of GCET building has been constructed at a cost of over Rs. 21 crore. While 47 ongoing works in various Government Degree Colleges at an estimated cost of Rs. 5924.5 lakh are in full progress. Mr. Wani apprised that out of the total number of 828 posts referred to Public Service Commission, selection of 312 posts have been received and appointment orders issued.
Bio-technology as a subject has been introduced in 10 Degree Colleges. The 200 years old colleges in the state namely GGM Science College Jammu and S.P. College Srinagar both declared as heritage colleges have been provided Rs. One crore each.
He said that to sustain and enhance the quality of education and to meet the challenges of globalization and privatization, the Higher Education Department has constituted State Level Quality Assurance Co-ordination Committee (SLQACC) with Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad as Chairman. The committee would conduct awareness programme on quality assurance and motivate colleges and other higher education institutions to acquire desired staff in order to compete for NAAC Accreditation and Assessment by virtue of which some colleges have achieved A and B++ grading.
Mr. N. D. Wani informed that DPR of all four colleges has been prepared and Rs. 75 lakh has already been paid in advance to start the initial work. He said that land has been acquired and the time frame for completion of construction work has been fixed from 18 to 24 months. He said that massive educational network spread over entire state needs infrastructure development. He requested the Secretary UGC to be liberal on release of grant to the state as the educational infrastructure has suffered a great set back because of turmoil and hilly location of most of the area of state. He suggested for enhancing funds for upgrading laboratories etc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
