DEHRADUN – A delegation of 40 humanities professors from Uttarakhand has returned from an educational tour of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, aimed at enriching the state’s higher education ecosystem. The visit, held from March 24 to March 29, 2025, was flagged off by the state’s Higher Education Minister, Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat.
Speaking at the send-off, Dr. Rawat emphasized the importance of aligning Uttarakhand’s academic growth with the evolving needs of the 21st-century education policy. He urged the faculty members to absorb and adapt the innovative academic practices observed at JNU to strengthen the educational framework back home. “Like our abundant natural resources, our higher education system too must be nurtured and empowered,” he remarked.
Principal Secretary of Higher Education, Dr. Ranjit Sinha, underlined the need for strategic planning before such academic tours. He encouraged the team to focus on infrastructure, teacher education, and research methodologies at JNU and submit insightful feedback for policy formulation and implementation.
Dr. Anju Aggarwal, Director of Higher Education (Haldwani), along with senior officials Dr. R.S. Bhakuni, Dr. Harish Singh Nayal, and Dr. Rajesh Kumar, welcomed the returning team. The visit was part of the Chief Minister’s Higher Education Quality Upgradation and Knowledge Enhancement Training Scheme, with Dr. Prakash Lakhera serving as the Nodal Officer.
Professors from across 117 colleges spanning 13 districts were eligible, with 40 selected for this inaugural tour. The aim was to foster academic exchange, explore research opportunities, and enhance faculty capabilities to meet the standards of the new National Education Policy (NEP).
On behalf of the participating faculty, Dr. Lakhera extended heartfelt thanks to the Chief Minister, the Higher Education Minister, departmental officials, and principals for their continued support and commitment to academic excellence in Uttarakhand.