UGC to fully fund 4 new colleges in J&K

KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, May 2 : Four new colleges, two each in Jammu and the Valley, fully funded by the University Grants Commission will beset up soon.

The villages are being set up in Uri, Bijbehara, Ramban and Billawar.

The venture will cost the UGC Rs 40.50 crores.

Out of the total estimate 50 percent would be released during the current financial years.

Secretary UGC 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, Chouhan agreed to provide training to Principals in Bangalore.

This was disclosed at a high level meeting convened under the chairmanship of Secretary UGC Chouhan here today.

Secretary Higher and Technical Education, K.

Wani, Director Colleges N.

Wani, Director Colleges Development, s.

Meenakshi Kilam, Registrars of Jammu University and Kashmir University, Principals of different colleges and lecturers were present on the occasion.