Jammu and Kashmir is set to get its first private crowdfunded university—The University of WathHarbor.
To built entirely on public support and donations, the institution aims to be a university by the people, for the people, and of the people of J&K.
“The University would be built on 30 percent public funding and 70 percent of stakeholders and initially would require Rs 200 crore for its establishment in any part of central Kashmir’s three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal, Founder and Chairman of the Trust, Dr Mehboob Makhdoomi announced during a press conference here on Tuesday.
Makhdoomi said that for establishing the university he had a meeting with the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and other officials of the government earlier.
However, he admitted that there is no act at present that allows the establishment of a private university in Jammu and Kashmir, but hoped that the government would announce an act like in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh that would allow establishment of “The University of WathHarbor” in any district of central Kashmir.
Makhdoomi said that “for establishment of the University project, I would like to ask the government to provide at least 25 acres of land on long term lease with a nominal fee as has been done in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh”.
He also demanded that the government should announce the Private University Act in Jammu and Kashmir to allow the private institution to operate in J&K.
The Trust Founder said that the main aim of the university would be to provide cutting-edge education in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and 4th Industrial Revolution technologies, equipping Kashmir’s youth with skills for a competitive global job market.
The university will be funded through donations, CSR contributions, and community support. The founders have urged businesses, professionals, and the Kashmiri diaspora to contribute to this historic initiative, he said.
“With strong public participation and government support, the University of WathHarbor aims to become a global hub for research, innovation, and skill development”, Makhdoomi added.