Kargil Aug 30 :- To enhance the capacities for effective and smooth implementation of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in Ladakh, a day-long workshop/review meeting was held by the State Project Directorate (PM-USHA, Ladakh) in Kargil in collaboration with the Higher Education Department of Ladakh.
Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education, Padma Angmo was the chief guest on the occasion. The event was also attended by State Project Director, PM-USHA-Ladakh /Joint Director, Information/Additional Secretary, Higher Education, Imteeaz Kacho; Chief Accounts Officer, Higher Education, Kaneez Fatima; State Nodal Officer, PM-USHA, Ladakh/Controller of Examination, University of Ladakh, Deskyong Namgyal; In-charge Registrar, University of Ladakh, Nawang Tundup; Director, College Affairs, University of Ladakh, Tashi Ldawa; Under Secretary; Higher Education, Ladakh, Rigzin Yangdol; Principals of GDC-Kargil, EJM College, Leh, GDC-Khaltse, GDC-Nubra, GDC-Drass, GDC-Zanskar, District Nodal Officer, PM-USHA (Kargil), MNM Shabani, Nodal Officer, Sankoo Campus of GDC-Kargil besides Assistant Professors of various Colleges.
The workshop began with a briefing by Mr.Tashi Ldawa on the guidelines for presentations related to the PM-USHA scheme. State Project Director, PM-USHA, Imteeaz Kacho welcomed all the dignitaries and expressed gratitude to the Commissioner/Secretary for gracing the occasion. He highlighted various initiatives taken under PM-USHA in Ladakh particularly in EJM College and University of Ladakh. Kacho appreciated the efforts being put in these institutions for upgradation of facilities and infrastructure. He expressed confidence that PM-UHSHA funding would be extended to the remaining colleges of Ladakh and urged upon EJM College and University of Ladakh to expedite the process of their approved works and procurements.
In her inaugural address, Commissioner/Secretary, Padma Angmo praised the energetic contributions and achievements of Colleges in terms of ongoing infrastructure projects and academic initiatives. She highlighted the status and achievements of skilled education and expressed hope for further improvements. During discussions with the participants, Padma Angmo addressed issues related to developmental projects, promotions, transfer policies, placements and salary enhancements in the form of an interactive face-to-face session allowing participants to seek clarifications and engaging in in-depth discussions on financial and administrative mechanisms.
The first session of the workshop featured a presentation by Chief Accounts Officer Kaneez Fatima followed by detailed discussions on financial matters. She covered various topics/subjects like expenditure heads, including office expenditure, office equipment, capital expenditure, material & supplies, fuel & lubricants and procurement methods on the GeM portal. She addressed financial concerns raised by various participants and assured that any contentious issue raised in future would be resolved promptly.
Subsequently, discussions were held on the National Education Policy (NEP), Ladakh Education Fair, result status of Colleges and the University, deliberations of UOL’s Academic Council, student and staff exchange programmes, admission issues at University of Ladakh, etc.
The participants also shared insights on challenges vis-a-vis subject combinations, increase in admissions in various courses and factors contributing to improvement of results.
The post-lunch session included detailed presentations by Principals of GDC-Kargil, EJM College (Leh), GDC-Nubra, GDC-Drass, GDC-Zanskar, GDC-Khaltse. The presentations covered progress reports on developmental projects, infrastructure status, enrolment, admission statuses, skill courses offered, Institutional Development Plans (IDP) and physical and financial status of projects under PM-USHA. Future plans and new proposals were also discussed with the Commissioner/Secretary.
State Nodal Officer, PM-USHA, Deskyong Namgyal, highlighted different aspects of implementation of PM-USHA and emphasized the need for regularly updating its status on the PM-USHA portal on a monthly basis. He said PM- USHA holds immense promise for colleges in the Union Territory of Ladakh, offering a unique opportunity to bridge educational gaps, enhance infrastructure and provide students access to quality higher education.
The proceedings and sessions were summed up by Tashi Ldawa, Director, College Affairs. He thanked the Commissioner/Secretary and other participants for sparing their time for the workshop/review meeting and for freely exchanging ideas thus making the deliberations fruitful.
Collaborative initiatives like this workshop equip participants to formulating more compelling proposals thereby contributing to advancement of standards of higher education in the region. The event was a significant step forward in realizing the full potential of the PM-USHA scheme and serves as a beacon of hope for a brighter future for Ladakh in the higher education sector.
