Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu Celebrates its 47th Foundation Day

Distance mode is the best possible solution to deliver quality education to the aspiring students at its doorsteps

Jammu, March 03- The Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu today celebrated its 47^th Foundation Day with an impressive function. Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu in his address congratulated the Directorate of Distance Education for celebrating the 47^th Foundation Day. He said that the future of Country lies in Distance mode of education and thereby the Directorate must take all necessary steps to formulate its own examination system and in that direction, University will offer all the requisite support. Vice- Chancellor exuded that the future of the country lies in Distance mode of education and while reiterating Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, he further said that we should motivate children rather than remain in a punishment mood because punishment doesn’t purify, it hardens young minds.

He also added that keeping in view the rise in population, it is not possible for the Government to open new Universities and Colleges and in that scenario, the distance education is the best possible solution to deliver quality education to aspiring students at their doorsteps. It is time to take education out of the four walls of the institution which is possible only when education is not confined to the syllabi. He suggested that   distance mode must offer project-related work to the students of far-flung areas and offer necessary credits on their successful completion of the project as part of the overall scheme.

While interacting with the media, Prof Rai said the distance mode of education offers lot of flexibility and students can learn while doing some job or sitting at home at their own pace. The student can achieve through idea incubation, innovation and start-up. Prof Rai relayed that  Honourable Prime Minister, Sh Narindra Modi is also focusing on the opening of digital Universities in the direction of bringing home education to all. Vice-Chancellor concluded his remarks with a quote from Aurobindo “ Education is nothing but bringing out and nurturing the latent potentialities; integrate oneself with the self, harmonious living of individuals with society, country and humanity to make oneself a complete being. 

In her welcome address, Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Director, Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu said that today is a sacrosanct date in the life journey of the Directorate of Distance Education formerly known as the Institute of Correspondence Education. Tracing the journey of the Directorate, she said that the establishment of Directorate dates back to March 3, 1976, under the nomenclature Institute of Correspondence Education, with its office in the premises of Geeta Bhawan, Jammu. University of Jammu was established in 1969 vide Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act following the bifurcation of the erstwhile University of Jammu and Kashmir, 1948.

With the establishment of the Directorate of Distance Education in 1976, Jammu University just after the seven years of its establishment Jammu University became dual mode University in the country. She further said that the new initiatives under the leadership of Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu is all set to bring in a new era of transformation with strategic orientation towards distance mode of learning.

Directorate is all set to introduce Non-Collegiate Women Education Board for the girls of Jammu region, the two online programmes M.Com and MA (Eng) as per the given UGC guidelines 2020, starting of Diploma in Gyani, Ma (Punjabi ) and rechristening the Executive MBA programme already approved in 2010. The Directorate was able to showcase their achievements and was also able to give a strategic twist in terms of facilitation and participation of its distance learners in co-curricular and sports activities voluntarily. The doors have been opened and the barriers broken to differentiate and undervalue, said  Prof Rohmetra.

Keynote Speaker, Dr Sumeet Gairola, Principal Scientist, IIM, Jammu & Nodal Officer for Purple revolution and Aroma Mission, J&K spoke on the theme Purple Revolution- Avenues, opportunities and Benefits. In his address, he assured participants  that CSIR-IIIM is fully equipped to provide adequate support for development of aroma industry in the region. 

He said that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, J&K is witnessing a purple revolution thereby offering attractive Startup avenues and young entrepreneurs are making a fortune out of the lavender revolution.  He further said that the Government of J&K is also offering various incentives through various institutions to those who are keen to make a career out of the purple revolution.

Sh Vinod P Baxla, GM-HR, Power Grid Corporation of India, Jammu in his expert talk dwelt in detail on the theme “Role of Personality Development in Career.” He emphasized that as a signature is our identity, so is our personality and further said that every person in their respective careers must do SWOT analysis which helps them to understand and thereby take on various challenges in their life.

Confident and mature professionals are two extreme traits one should possess for career growth, added Mr Baxla. Sh Baxla was of the opinion that from time to time one should upgrade himself and sharpen their skills as it not only prepares you for the present but also for the future.

Sh Rajat Salgotra, Founder/CEO Samast Eco-Alternatives Private Limited shared his startup journey which according to him has been full of challenges and rewarding as well. He said that while he was pursuing his MBA ( International Business) from ICccR & HRM Jammu University, he got an opportunity to enroll with Jammu University’s various social responsibility causes, which gave him exposure to rural belts of the region. The Gaushala dumps the cow dung in drains where they clog and became a breeding point for chronic diseases. This made him realize and he explored that these cowdungs can be used to make eco-friendly products.

Thereafter, with the help of Disha Foundation (an NGO), he started making diyas from cow dung. The usage of cow dung helped to solve the problem at two levels : primarily by selling cow dung, farmers could now generate extra income and due to the waste management technique the drains of the city are free from cow dung. His success entrepreneurship model has now recruited 150 ladies from the neighbouring areas and thereby offering them employment opportunities and he is now using cow dung in designing idols and incense sticks .It is pertinent to mention here that through University of Jammu Special Purpose Vehicle (UOJSPV), earlier he was also able to incubate his idea.

It is pertinent to mention that in 1995, the new nomenclature was assigned as the ‘Directorate of Distant Education which in recently held  87^th University council meeting has been rechristened as the Directorate of Distance and Online learning (DD & OL)  

 Prof Sandeep Kaur Tandon presented a formal vote of thanks in the inaugural. Following the inaugural ceremony, various concurrent interactive sessions were held by Dr Isha Sharma , ICccR & HRM on ‘Skills and entrepreneurial culture’ in J&K , Ladakh, Dr Pallvi Arora, ICccR & HRM on ‘Salient features of resume writing’ and ‘Career opportunities in new India’ by Dr Jaspal Singh, DDE University of Jammu respectively. In the afternoon session, Prof Parmil Kumar, Head, Department of Statistics, University of Jammu gave a pictorial presentation on ‘Birds of Jammu & Kashmir.’

It is pertinent to mention here that nearly 1000 students registered during the day, and various dignitaries, faculty members, Officers, scholars and students also visited Fun Fair stalls.

The Foundation day ceremony of Distance Education, University of Jammu culminated with a colourful cultural bonanza in the evening by UG/PG students  of DDE, a musical performance by Sh Narinder Wazir and his team and  Sufi and Folk performance by Ms Vibha Bharti , Bharti  Sangeet Vidyalaya, Kathua. Prof Bechan Lal, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu was the Chief Guest during the cultural Bonanza and Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu presided over the 47^th Foundation Day celebrations

Among others, who graced the occasion included Prof Arvind Jasrotia, Registrar, Prof Rajeev Rattan, Director, CDC Prof. Meena Sharma, Dean Planning, Prof. Prakash Antahal, Dean Students Welfare, Prof Jasbir Singh, HOD, Philosophy, Prof Vinay Chauhan, Director, TBS, faculty members of DDE, Officers and Office bearers of University Association were also present on the occasion.