Cluster University Leh to function from KU’s satellite campuses in Ladakh

The higher education department has decided to start Cluster University (CU) Leh from Kashmir University’s satellite campuses at Leh and Kargil districts.

An official said authorities at the KU have agreed tohandover its campuses to the department. “The talks were going on for the pastfew weeks about making the University functional from KU’s satellitecampuses,” said the official.

   

The department has also started process for appointment offirst Vice-Chancellor of the Cluster University. “The file has been sentto Governor’s office for approval. Once the Vice Chancellor and Registrar areappointed, the admission process will begin,” the official said.

He said it will take more than a year to buildinfrastructure to start the Cluster University from its own campuses.

In December last year State Administrative Council (SAC)headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik had approved a bill to set-up the ClusterUniversity in Leh. The varsity will be headquartered in Leh.

Five degree colleges, presently affiliated with KashmirUniversity (KU), which will be constituent colleges of the University includeone each in Leh and Nobra (in Leh district) and one each in Kargil, Zanskar andDrass (in Kargil district).

All these colleges will get de-affiliated from KU once theCluster University begins its operations. A Cluster University is establishedunder centrally sponsored scheme Rashtriya Uchchatar Shikshaa Abhiyan (RUSA)with a provision that five degree colleges fall within the radius of 10 to 15kilometres of the University. These colleges act as constituent colleges of theCluster University.

The move to start operation of the Cluster University fromKU campuses has however led to apprehensions that the higher educationdepartment may take over these two satellite campuses permanently.

“If that happens it will further mar growth of KU’s Lehcampus which is already in news for its failure to attract students foradmissions,” the official said.

The Registrar KU, Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir said the varsity hasconveyed to higher education department that the satellite campuses will be runby the varsity only.

“But if they need any assistance in terms of staff and otherthings, we can provide it to them. But we will not handover our campuses to runcluster university,” Mir said.

The KU’s Leh campus was made functional in 2015 but sincethen it has failed to attract students. “The campus is functional for the lastfour years but the local students prefer to go outside to pursue highereducation.,” a KU official said.

The Secretary higher education department Talat ParvezRuhella said they have got the nod from KU to start Cluster University fromtheir satellite campuses till the time the department establishes its permanentcampuses.

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