Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu Prof Umesh Rai on Saturday said that a comprehensive compendium would be published on the project reports prepared by the students of College on Wheels and their experiences of the transformative educational odyssey.
“The train journey might have come to an end but penning down the experiences by the enterprising participating students of their two long odyssey must now begin”, the Vice Chancellor said while felicitating 700 female students, mentors and other supporting staff on their return at the JU Campus this evening.
Expressing gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Mr Manoj Sinha for his vision and initiative of organizing the challenging visit to various parts of the country, Prof Umesh Rai, the Vice Chancellor of the nodal varsity, credit goes to him for introducing the students to soul of India during their visit to various iconic places and institutions. He said empowering girl students in terms of knowledge is the vision of the nation and this is what the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi had envisioned. He said that possibilities would be explored to get the three-tier College on Wheels converted into air-conditioned bogies to enable students of Jammu and Kashmir to have comfortable visits in future.
He also lauded the Mentors, Nodal Officers, other supporting staff and IRCTC for ensuring best possible services and facilities to the students. He also felicitated the students who attained distinction in the Onboard Charkha Competition. Some students and mentors also shared their experiences of College on Wheels journey.
The proceedings at the reception function were conducted by Dr Garima Gupta.
This warm reception accorded by the scholars, students and senior officials from the University of Jammu symbolized the acknowledgement of the enriching experiences accumulated over the past two weeks. to the contingent. This also marked a return to the starting point and celebration of the rich experiences, newfound knowledge, and the transformative impact of the College on Wheels journey. The 14-day odyssey broadened the horizons of the participants but also fostered lasting connections between them and the educational institutions they came from.
On day 14 of the College on Wheels initiative, the contingent arrived in Jammu, marking the conclusion of a transformative educational odyssey.
The journey, spanning diverse destinations, provided the eager participants with a unique blend of education and exploration. Iconic landmarks, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, the old and new Parliament Houses, Sabarmati Ashram, and significant naval establishments such as the Naval shipyard and Naval Base in Mumbai, were part of the comprehensive itinerary. Additionally, visits to the naval air base and dockyard, Karwar air base, and the picturesque Karwar beach in Goa added a layer of experiential learning.
The educational expedition further delved into the realms of cutting-edge research and space exploration with visits to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and IISc (Indian Institute of Science). These experiences provided invaluable insights, expanding the horizons of knowledge for the participating students.
The journey also embraced historical significance with a visit to Sewagram Ashram at Wardha, enriching the participants' understanding of India's cultural and historical tapestry. Commencing the return journey from Sewagram Ashram, the wheels turned toward Jammu, where the contingent was met with a heartfelt reception by senior officials of the University of Jammu.
As the College on Wheels concludes its journey, it leaves behind a trail of inspiration, learning, and camaraderie, showcasing the potential of innovative educational initiatives in shaping the future of aspiring students.
The contingent comprised students from University of Jammu, University of Kashmir and their affiliated colleges, Cluster University of Jammu, Cluster University of Kashmir, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Rajouri, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Kashmir, affiliated colleges of JU and KU and Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC), New Delhi.