Sakeena Itoo reviews admission process in Jammu and Kashmir government degree colleges
Srinagar, June 23: Minister for Higher Education Sakeena Itoo chaired a comprehensive review meeting today to evaluate the ongoing admission process in Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.
Emphasizing that student welfare must remain the top priority, the minister highlighted that sustained reforms in the higher education sector are essential to make regional colleges more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to student aspirations. She directed the Higher Education Department and college authorities to strengthen awareness and outreach initiatives, particularly in institutions reporting lower enrollment, by actively engaging with parents and students regarding academic programs, scholarship opportunities, and career pathways.
During the meeting, the minister was briefed that college admissions have recorded a significant rise this year following the introduction of simplified procedures, including walk-in admissions facilitated through an in-house online portal. Expressing optimism that total admissions will exceed 50,000 after the completion of the next two rounds, Sakeena Itoo noted that these new reforms have successfully reversed the declining enrollment trend witnessed over the past few years.
To ensure uninterrupted academic activities, she instructed all colleges to fast-track arrangements for the early commencement of classes so that students do not face any academic delays.The minister also called for structural and academic upgrades, directing neighboring colleges to offer diversified courses rather than identical programs to optimize academic resources.
She instructed the department to rationalize faculty deployment across colleges to enhance teaching standards and address staff gaps efficiently. Furthermore, she emphasized the urgent need to introduce modern, future-oriented courses in emerging technologies—such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Skill Linked Hybrid Tracks, and Econometrics—to align the higher education system with evolving industry demands and boost the overall employability of graduates.