The colleges and universities in Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing a decline in student footfall.
This was revealed in a review meeting chaired by Education Minister Sakeena Masood Itoo with the higher educational institutions (HEI) officials on Friday. Alarmed by the revelations, Itoo sought a detailed report from HEI to explain the reasons and remedies for addressing the issue.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellors (VCs) from Kashmir University, IUST-Awantipora and Cluster University-Srinagar in person. The VCs from Jammu University, BGSBU, SMVDU and Cluster University-Jammu attended virtually.
The minister directed the HEI officials to take steps to increase enrolment and stress the importance of attracting foreign students to improve the universities’ National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) standing. The minister also directed the universities to work on international exchange programmes.
The meeting also discussed the fall in Kashmir University’s NIRF ranking. The university slipped from 33rd in 2023 to 45th in 2024, with its performance score dropping from 53.08 to 52.14. The minister asked the KU administration to submit a report highlighting the shortcomings that caused the decline.
She also directed the HEI officials to work diligently to improve their standards and ensure that educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir continue to excel in all aspects. Education is free in Jammu and Kashmir from lower classes to universities. The policy has benefited the region immensely, however, due to political instability the region has not been able to keep pace with the latest trends in education.
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In the last two decades, several prominent schools from outside have opened franchises in Jammu and Kashmir. However, experts say there is a need to invest more in education by the government to raise the standards.
Every year, hundreds of Jammu and Kashmiri students seek admission in other states in different colleges including professionals in engineering and medicine. A large number also travel to foreign countries like Bangladesh and Turkey for MBBS courses.