Job-oriented courses, career counselling, emerging disciplines and stronger academia-industry pathways in focus
Leh, August 22: Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra has called for building a future-ready and opportunity-driven higher education ecosystem in Ladakh, with greater emphasis on employment-oriented courses, emerging disciplines, career counselling and stronger academic collaboration.
Chairing a review of the higher education sector and follow-up action on the Ladakh Education Conclave 2024, Kundra stressed that academic programmes should evolve in line with students’ aspirations, changing professional requirements and Ladakh’s distinctive strengths.
He called for assessing undergraduate and postgraduate courses on the basis of demand, relevance and employment potential, while exploring greater academic opportunities in areas such as agriculture, horticulture, food technology and climate studies.
Kundra also pushed for stronger coordination among colleges and universities through faculty interaction, exchange of ideas and sharing of best practices to further improve teaching and academic standards.
Placing students at the centre of the initiative, Kundra emphasised career counselling, mentorship, entrepreneurship and exposure programmes, including regular interactions with successful professionals, entrepreneurs, alumni, local achievers and experts.
He also sought a comprehensive database to understand the academic journey of students after Class XII, enabling institutions to better align courses and opportunities with their aspirations.
Highlighting Ladakh’s unique environmental and geographical advantages, Kundra identified climate studies as a promising field for specialised education and research.
The Chief Secretary said continuous academic review, modern teaching practices and integration of technology and emerging fields would help make Ladakh’s higher education system more accessible, relevant and responsive to its youth.
