Srinagar, Mar 20: Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday stated that there was no official proposal for establishing a Satellite Campus in Ramban, despite persistent demands from the local population, particularly in Banihal.
Responding to a query by MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen in the Assembly, Education Minister Sakina Itoo clarified that while the University of Jammu has 11 off site campuses approved by the University Council, only seven are currently functional. “These are located in Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramnagar, Kathua, and Poonch, offering various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes,” she said.
The government also emphasised that 50 percent of the seats in Bhaderwah and Kishtwar offsite campuses are reserved for students from the erstwhile Doda district, which includes Ramban, ensuring access to higher education.
However, in response to the growing demand for a Satellite Campus in Ramban, Itoo informed the house that the University of Jammu has formed a committee to assess its feasibility. “The establishment of the campus will depend on the availability of infrastructure, financial grants and human resources,” she said.
About introduction of skill-based diploma and degree programs in Banihal, Ukhral, and Gool—such as Pharmacy, Nursing, Paramedical Sciences, Horticulture, Veterinary Science, Hydro-power, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Cybersecurit, she said that colleges in Jammu and Kashmir are implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by integrating skill-based courses into their curricula. However, the introduction of new programs is subject to approval by affiliating universities, which design and regulate skill-based education.
The government also pointed out that GDC Ukhral lacks a permanent building, while GDC Gool’s infrastructure is still under construction. At this stage, the priority remains on ensuring basic facilities before expanding academic programmes. She also acknowledged the demand for enhanced higher education and skill development opportunities, and maintained that future initiatives would depend on resource availability and university recommendations.
