A day at IIM Jammu

Last month I had the privilege to participate in the conference on the implementation of the National Education Policy-2020 at IIM Jammu. The remarkable development and fascinating beauty of the campus genuinely amazed me. Never would have I imagined that a newly born IIM could do so well to keep pace with advanced institutions in and outside the country to meet the evolving needs of the 21st-century knowledge economy.

Established in 2016, IIM Jammu has evolved into one of India's premier institutions in a short span of time. Located on the hilltop in the Jagti area 20 Km away from the hustle and bustle of Jammu city, the institute offers a promising ecosystem serving as an epitome of ideas, perspectives, and aspirations.

The founding Director Prof. B.S.Sahay has set the stage for the institution's ascent to greatness. There seemed to be a purpose and motivation everywhere I looked. It was as if the institution was built decades back.

The institute has undergone significant expansion and developments across various dimensions. It has signed a number of MOUs with top corporates and foreign universities for the advancement and promotion of research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the UT of J&K. Inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20th of February 2024, the institute has turned out to be a paragon of architectural brilliance and innovation.

'Gone are the days of rigid disciplinary boundaries and work in silos said by the IIM director Prof Sahay in his welcome address and emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary education to integrate knowledge from different disciplines to address complex problems effectively'. While responding to a question on the lack of research funding, he said we need to question the originality, relevance, and impact of our research pursuits to justify grants and fundings.

Chairman UGC M. Jagdesh Kumar highlighted that the effective implementation of NEP 2020 requires holistic efforts from all stakeholders to overcome infrastructural deficiencies and other hurdles. He emphasized that Vice Chancellors must communicate with college principals and other stakeholders for granting autonomous status to colleges.

The Principal Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department Mr. Alok Kumar appreciated J&K for being one of the first regions to successfully implement the National Education Policy NEP-2020.

The formation of ten teams each comprising 40 participants to deliberate upon the ten sub-themes like multidisciplinary and holistic education, equitable and inclusive education, digital empowerment and online education, internationalization of education, Skill enhancement, Indian knowledge system and so on was a concerted effort to engage a diverse range of perspectives to address the multifaceted dimensions of the issues at hand.

The Chairman's action of noting down the recommendations for possible implementation demonstrated a commitment to take concrete steps towards addressing the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities identified during the deliberation process. He fostered an atmosphere of open dialogue to enable participants to express their thoughts on the state of affairs of Higher education in the Union Territory. The chairman also had an interaction with college principals to ensure that the voices of educators are not only heard but also valued in shaping the future of higher education in India.

The conference on the implementation of NEP-2020 served as a catalyst for dialogue, collaboration, and action. The event brought together policymakers and educators to deliberate and delve into the various dimensions of the policy and examine strategies for its effective implementation. Everyone seemed eager to contribute their insights and ideas towards realizing the vision of a transformed education system.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to accelerate the pace of NEP-2020 implementation. From the registration process to the closing remarks, attendees were treated with warmth an affection.

Jammu popularly known for the city of temples, is now gaining recognition in the fields of technology, management, and healthcare with the establishment of prestigious institutions like IIT, IIM and AIIMS.

In India, IIMs and IITs have set high standards for academic excellence, research output, and industry interface. The Indian colleges and universities must reimagine higher education and leverage opportunities to create a more inclusive, creative, and competitive system to uphold high academic standards and foster research and innovation.

Although IIM Jammu with its off-site-campus in Srinagar is still in the foundation phase, it is turning out to be one of the top business schools of the country. What I observed is that the institute is more than just about getting a degree to contribute outside the confines of traditional academic settings.

When an institution becomes an incubator of innovation, creativity and leadership, success becomes not just a possibility but a more predictable outcome. My brief stay at IIM Jammu is truly one of a kind.

Writer is working as Assistant Professor in PG Department of Commerce GDC Bemina Cluster University Srinagar