- Ensures program meets ICAR standards, assures prospective students
Yash Khajuria
Leh, July 07: Amidst growing concerns among aspiring students regarding the affiliation of Ladakh University’s new B.Sc Agriculture program with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the University has provided clarity on the process of obtaining ICAR accreditation.
There have been misconceptions and misleading claims about the program’s ICAR accreditation status. Some individuals have falsely claimed that the new B.Sc program at the University of Ladakh (UOL) lacks ICAR accreditation, causing confusion among prospective students.
According to ICAR guidelines “The Higher Agricultural Educational Institutions (HAEIs) shall be eligible to apply for the accreditation from the National Agricultural Education Accreditation Board (NAEAB) if they have a record of at least one batch of students passed out and fulfill the other conditions or are covered by the other provisions, if any” “UOL having School of Agriculture Sciences is eligible to start B.Sc. Agriculture program and can apply for ICAR accreditation once one batch of students will pass out” a university official informed.
The UOL is set to launch its first-ever B.Sc Agriculture program, offering a significant opportunity for local students aspiring to careers in agriculture. UOL encourages prospective students to enroll confidently, assuring them that their education will meet the necessary standards. While some may choose to attend other prestigious agricultural universities in the country, those opting for UOL’s program can do so without hesitation.
Historically, Ladakhi students have had limited access to agricultural education, with only a few seats available at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Jammu and Kashmir. This scarcity has driven many to seek education in private institutions across India, often at the cost of ICAR accreditation.
Economically privileged families have managed to enroll their children in these private colleges, but many students have been left without viable educational pathways. The recent decision by the Union Territory administration to introduce the B.Sc Agriculture program at UOL aims to bridge this gap, enabling local students to pursue agricultural studies closer to home.
This initiative not only promises to bolster agricultural education in Ladakh but also ensures that students from all economic backgrounds have access to quality education. UOL’s B.Sc Agriculture program stands as a beacon of opportunity, addressing the longstanding educational needs of the region’s aspiring agriculturists.
For aspiring students and their families, the university’s assurance and the UT administration’s initiative mark a significant step towards enhancing educational opportunities and supporting the agricultural ambitions of Ladakh’s youth.
