The Kargil residents and the students of satellite campus of Kashmir University (KU) are up in arms against the government decision to make Cluster University Ladakh functional from offsite campuses of varsity.
On Monday, the students protest continued for thirdconsecutive days over the decision and the students said the move willgradually close down the satellite campus at Kargil which will affect thestudent community of the area.
“We are not against the establishment of Cluster Universityfor Ladakh but it should not become a reason to close down the satellite campushere,” the protesting students said.
They said the Kargil satellite campus has maintained a goodacademic record since it was established in the area and has also attractedstudents for their admissions in the campus.
“No seat remains vacant in the campus. Students have shown agood interest in University campus since its inception in 2016,” the studentssaid.
The various socio religious organizations have alsosubmitted their representation to the Governor of J&K and appealed to himto reconsider the decision taken by the higher education department.
Greater Kashmir earlier reported that the higher educationdepartment (HED) has decided to start Cluster University (CU) from KU’ssatellite campuses at Leh and Kargil districts.
Meanwhile, the regional political parties have also opposedthe government move to make Cluster University functional from Kargil satellitecampus of the KU.
Chairman, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council(LAHDC), Kargil, Feroz Khan has also written to Governor J&K and demandingrevocation of the decision taken by the higher education department.
“It is learnt that the higher education department hasdecided to start Cluster University from the KU’s Satellite Campus Leh andKargil. Kindly direct the department to revoke the decision and pass necessarydirection to run the cluster University from government Degree College Kargilor the Council can allot accommodation at suitable location till its owninfrastructure is developed,” reads a letter written to Governor of J&K.
“The Kargil Campus is one of the flourishing campuses ofKashmir University where more than 350 students are enrolled in variouscourses,” the letter reads.
Khan has further said the University administration wasplanning to introduce more post graduate courses from the current academicsession keeping in view the performance of the campus.
“The intrusion and bifurcation of the existing campus willdisturb the system which will directly affect the students. I am hopeful thatyour good self will consider the demand in the interest of the students andrevoke the decision of the higher education department,” the letter reads.
The state Administrative Council (SAC) headed by GovernorSatya Pal Malik in December last approved a bill to set-up a CU in Ladakh andKargil district. The university as per the SAC decision was supposed to beheadquartered in Ladakh.
Five degree colleges, presently affiliated with the KashmirUniversity (KU) which will act as constituent colleges of Cluster Universityinclude one each in Leh and Nobra (in Leh district) and one each in Kargil,Zanskar and Drass (in Kargil district).
Earlier, the higher education department had conveyed the KUadministration that the administration has decided that KU can retain thebuildings and land appurtenant to the extent of 100 Kanals approximately atboth the campuses for courses to be run by the varsity.
“And the balance land out of 800 Kanals at Leh and 600Kanals at Kargil shall be utilized for establishment of University of Ladakh.You are requested to furnish your comments through return email to enable thisdepartment to proceed further in the matter,” reads a letter.
The KU administration has however conveyed the HED that thequantum of land to be retained by the varsity will depend on the master planrequirements and spread of infrastructure by the varsity.
“Among other things it was also decided that the governmentshall establish the campuses of Ladakh University near Degree Colleges at Lehand Kargil for which sufficient land is available and this would as well ensureeasy access of students to the University from the catchment areas,” reads aletter written to secretary higher education department by Registrar Kashmir University.
“Besides any decision in this regard can only be taken bythe competent statutory bodies of the University viz. University Syndicate andUniversity Council,” it reads.