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Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister for Higher Education, Sakeena Itoo, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making higher education more accessible, inclusive and student-focused across the Union Territory. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Chairing a high-level review meeting on admissions in Government Degree Colleges, the Minister stressed that student welfare must remain at the centre of all policy decisions and educational reforms.

Focus on Increasing Student Enrolment

During the meeting, Sakeena Itoo reviewed admission figures from colleges across Jammu and Kashmir and directed the Higher Education Department to strengthen awareness campaigns in institutions with lower enrolment.

She asked college administrations to actively engage with students and parents to spread awareness about:

Academic programmes
Scholarship opportunities
Career prospects
New educational initiatives

The Minister said that greater outreach is essential to ensure that more students can access higher education opportunities.

Admissions Show Positive Growth

Officials informed the Minister that Government Degree Colleges have witnessed a notable increase in admissions this year.

According to the review, several reforms introduced by the government have helped simplify the admission process, making it easier for students to secure admission in colleges.

“The recent reforms have helped reverse the decline in admissions seen over the past few years,” the Minister said, expressing confidence that total admissions could exceed 50,000 after the next two admission rounds.

Walk-In Admissions Made Easier

To ensure that no eligible student misses the opportunity to pursue higher education, the government has introduced walk-in admissions through an in-house online portal.

The Minister noted that college principals have been given greater flexibility to make student-centric decisions and address admission-related issues more effectively.

New Courses Planned in Emerging Technologies

One of the key highlights of the meeting was the government’s focus on introducing future-oriented academic programmes.

Sakeena Itoo emphasised the need for colleges to offer courses that match changing industry demands and student interests.

Proposed New Courses Include:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Machine Learning
Skill-Linked Hybrid Tracks
Econometrics
Other emerging technology disciplines

The Minister said these programmes would help prepare students for modern careers and improve their employment prospects.

Need for Structural and Academic Reforms

While legacy colleges continue to attract a large number of students, the Minister stressed the importance of strengthening all institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.

She called for:

Rationalisation of course offerings
Infrastructure upgrades
Better utilisation of academic resources
Balanced distribution of admissions across colleges
Introduction of diversified programmes in neighbouring institutions

According to the Minister, colleges located close to one another should offer different courses rather than identical programmes, giving students more choices and reducing duplication of resources.

Addressing Declining Interest in Certain Subjects

Sakeena Itoo also sought feedback from college principals regarding the decline in admissions in some academic subjects.

She directed officials to identify the reasons behind the trend and recommend practical solutions to make these subjects more relevant and attractive to students.

Ensuring Smooth Academic Sessions

The Minister instructed colleges to begin classes as early as possible to prevent academic delays and ensure students do not face any learning loss.

She also stressed the importance of faculty rationalisation, directing the Higher Education Department to deploy teaching staff efficiently to strengthen academic standards, particularly in colleges facing low enrolment.

Government Focused on Student Success

Reiterating the government’s vision for higher education, Sakeena Itoo said the administration is committed to improving employability through industry-oriented initiatives and skill development programmes.

She added that the ultimate goal is to ensure every eligible student in Jammu and Kashmir has access to quality higher education and the opportunity to pursue a career of their choice.