Centre considering proposal to convert JU into central varsity

Centre considering proposal to convert JU into central varsity
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 25
While the Centre Government has finalised setting up of two central universities in Jammu and Kashmir, a proposal to upgrade existing Jammu University (JU) as a central varsity (CU) is now under active consideration of the UPA government.

“Senior functionaries in New Delhi and in the state are pushing the proposal keeping in view long-term financial and academic benefits of converting JU into a CU,” a senior academician involved in the process told The Tribune.

However, politicians’ consensus over the issue would play a major role before a final decision was taken on the issue, they added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was conferred upon the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by Jammu University in 2007, had promised one central varsity to the state. Later, owing to the demand of Srinagar and Jammu residents, the Centre announced two central universities for the state. An ordinance to this effect was issued two days ago.

However, owing to huge financial implications of setting up two new universities, a strong voice has emanated from academicians, intellectuals and research scholars to confer the prestigious status on country’s first ISO 9001:2000 certified “A” grade Jammu University, which ranks among top 15 academic institutions in India.

The government was going to engage politicians in parleys in a bid to apprise them about long-term benefits, said sources. Once converted into a CU, JU would not only get liberal funds from the Centre but it would also develop a direct financial link with New Delhi and then it won’t have to look up to the cash-strapped state government.

If things materialise that way, 4,000 kanal land identified near Suchani in Samba district for the central varsity could be developed into an exclusive science and technology park and the main JU campus could be used for teaching social sciences and humanity stream, they said.

Further, the value of degrees being offered by JU would weigh more compared to other varsities, if it got the coveted status, they added.

Describing it a win-win situation for Jammu, they said, “If Kashmir gets a CU and JU was converted into a CU then the state government can divert funds meant for Jammu University to Kashmir University.”

Academicians are afraid a separate central university would cause brain drain in Jammu University. Sources said 17 teachers of the university had already applied for jobs in the proposed central varsity.

Prof PK Srivastava, secretary of the Jammu University Teachers’ Association (JUTA), Dr Hari Om, who holds Maharaja Gulab Singh chair in Jammu University, and Prof Rekha Choudhary of the department of political sciences, felt every individual has a right to progress, have improved facilities and better perks, but at the same time JU may witness a temporary brain drain.

courtesy--the tribune--october-26, 2009