Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Mar 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department has admitted that it lacks infrastructure, permanent campus and land for the several newly established degree colleges here.
The department however said that the screening committee has resolved to create a permanent campus for those colleges who lack it.
Director Colleges Dr Yasmeen Ashai has said that currently the department has 140 colleges in Jammu and Kashmir including 90 established colleges.
“We agree that in some newly established fifty colleges in Jammu and Kashmir, some of the institutes still have land issues and in some colleges we have not constructed permanent buildings. We realise that,” Ashai said.
“A week back screening committee meeting was held with regard to newly established degree colleges wherein it was resolved that we need to create the permanent campuses for them,” she said.
The director of colleges said this to reporters earlier this week during an event.
Ashai further said that the higher education department has introduced 3+1 system in almost every college wherein the students have been given the choice to exit anytime after in years.
“Under the multidisciplinary program, we are going to focus on the 4th year in only those colleges wherein we have established labs. Students won’t feel any problem,” she said, adding that it was a flexible program wherein students can take entry or exit after every year.
As per the guidelines of UGC, under NEP-2020, the undergraduate degree should be of either a institutes or four year duration, with multiple entry and exit options within this period, with appropriate certifications.
On October-09-2023, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had expressed satisfaction over the construction and other works going on for the establishment of 50 new degree colleges in Jammu and Kashmir.
MHA in annual report 2022-2023 had said, “Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) are functional in Jammu and the work on physical infrastructure is in full swing.”
“Besides, 50 new degree colleges have been opened and construction work is going on at a satisfactory pace,” MHA had said.
In the previous annual report, the government had said that it has identified land for the newly sanctioned 50 colleges in JK which are functioning out of makeshift accommodations.
