Sheikh Mustafa
SRINAGAR: Once a coveted choice for aspiring students, the University of Kashmir is grappling with an unprecedented crisis as hundreds of seats remain vacant in various Post-Graduate (PG) departments across its campuses.
The Statistics available are sobering. In 2023 alone, there are over 124 vacant seats in different PG departments within the university’s main campus at Hazratbal, Srinagar. This is almost five percent of the total seats offered by the University (2500 to 2600) including those under the self-financed category.
Its Institute of Technology Zakura campus has 45 unoccupied seats, among 101 seats whereas the North Kashmir campus reports 32 vacant positions among 290. The situation is undeniably dire in the South Kashmir campus, where a staggering 111 seats lay unclaimed among 472 in various PG departments.
In a concerning development, Kashmir University’s stark decline in student enrollment, with a significant number of vacant seats, raises alarm about the growing “academic aversion” among youth. The situation is no different in other prestigious universities of Kashmir.
Leading universities in the valley, including Kashmir University, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), and Central University of Kashmir (CUK), are struggling to fill up vacant seats. CUK, in particular, has continued its open admission policy for the second year running.
A PhD scholar from IUST, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that vacant seats plague almost all the departments, even across semesters. “In the Mass Communication department alone, 16 out of 24 seats remain unfilled, while International Relations and Political Science have 8 and 3 vacancies, respectively and this trend is evident across various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and even in other disciplines.” the scholar added.
Another student from Communication department revealed that the Department of Convergent Journalism has only 10 students out of 39, while the Department of Education for integrated BEd-MEd has just 14 or 15 out of 52. “There is a slump in enrollment even in Mathematics department,” students reveal.
“A university official at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) said the there were vacancies in some programs, including Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, and Mass Communication. In few programs, nearly half of the seats are available.”
The universities in Kashmir are facing a major challenge in attracting students, leading to concerns about the future of education in the region. This phenomenon raises questions about the future of higher education in the region and the factors contributing to this reluctance of students with regards to academics.
Professors in at least two universities, the Kashmir Times spoke to, acknowledged the challenge and analysed some of the causes.
Unemployment and limited job avenues
Professor Gul Mohd Wani, Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Kashmir says, “increasing numbers of students are abandoning their courses after passing entrance exams, opting for different paths due to limited job opportunities and lack of private job sector. On the other hand, you have a growing number of unemployed PhD graduates. This raises critical questions in the minds of young aspirants.” He adds, “There is a strong traditional belief that education is a guaranteed path to a good job. But this is rapidly changing.”
The dilemmas of the youth regarding unemployment were echoed by An M. Phil and SET in Urdu Literature, Farooq Ahmad Mir, who has an M. Phil in Urdu Literature and has cleared State Eligibility Test (SET) for the post of university teachers. Mir spoke with a sense of nostalgia mixed with regret.
He says, “I vividly remember my time at Kashmir University,” he says, adding, “the excitement of cracking a seat, was a coveted milestone. Thousands thronged for postgraduate and PhD programs. In Zoology alone, during my time, nearly 1,800 aspirants vied for just 53 seats. It was an intensive competition……” His voice trails off.
The enthusiasm is replaced by a tinge of bitterness. “But today, the scene is starkly different. Shrinking job opportunities have cast a long shadow. I sometimes wonder if I wasted my time and resources pursuing higher education. Here I am, not even a contractual lecturer in any School, I am just stuck in a private school. Perhaps, many youngsters now-a-days believe that focusing on a bachelor’s degree and cracking professional exams for immediate job security is a wiser path. If I had thought like this, I might not have been in this situation today,” Mir added.
New aspirants to the university are more aware of the new realities and the shrinking job markets and cast a wider net. A student, Hilal Ahmad Mir from Baramulla, said “Since I have joined Kashmir University, my mission is not only to purse a degree course but also to simultaneously prepare for JKSSB (Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board) exams as well.
Manzoor Ahmad, another BSC graduate, said that though cracking the University’s Information Technology entrance test was a big achievement, he gradually realized “it wasn’t the right fit for me. Two years in a program wouldn’t be the best use of my time. Instead, I’m focusing on JKSSB exams to secure a government job as soon as I can. Even with a master’s degree, the job hunt remains competitive, and I believe starting earlier gives me a better edge,” he added.
As of March 2023, Jammu and Kashmir held the dubious distinction of having the third-highest unemployment rate in India at a staggering 23.1%, according to the (CMIE). This harsh reality is further underscored by the recent revelation that around 600,000 educated individuals in the region remain jobless, exacerbating social and economic woes. Adding to the crucial picture is a 2022 survey conducted by the Department of Employment in collaboration with district administrations, which revealed that a staggering 663,511 young people in Jammu and Kashmir were unemployed as of May 31, 2022.
These alarming statistics paint a very grim picture of a region grappling with a major unemployment crisis. The lack of jobs is not only hindering individual aspirations but also impeding the overall economic development of the region. Many students, disillusioned by the bleak job market, are opting to pursue alternative paths instead of pursuing higher education. They see a bachelor’s degree as a steppingstone to preparing for government exams, a path perceived as offering greater stability and security in an uncertain economic climate. This shift in mindset reflects the harsh reality of high unemployment rates. As graduates often face years of joblessness, they are disillusioned and question the value of their education.
The Economic Decline
Professor Wani said that “the ongoing economic downturn has severely impacted families in Kashmir, making higher education an unaffordable luxury for many. This financial constraint also forces students to prioritise immediate needs over long-term academic aspirations, leading to lower enrollment rates. Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic left many families financially burdened and deepened frustration among youngsters. That may take some time to go.”
The pandemic forced school and university closures, disrupting education for millions of students. This has exacerbated educational inequalities and created a sense of frustration and uncertainty among students.
Dr John Babu, a Professor at the Central University of Kashmir (CUK), agrees. He explains, “post-pandemic economic constraints have significantly impacted job prospects, discouraging students from investing in higher education. Many, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, face financial strain and struggle to afford the admission fees. Additionally, Dr. Babu pointed out reduced scholarship opportunities for historically underprivileged students like SC, ST, RBA, and EWS, have further limited the access for those who rely on financial aid.”
Meriting NET over Ph.D
Professor Wani expressed concern about the diminishing value of a M.Phil. or Ph.D. degree in the context of higher education recruitment. While acknowledging its historical significance as a gateway to teaching positions and Assistant Professorships, he lamented the New Education Policy’s (NEP) shift towards NET/SET as the sole qualifying criteria. This, he fears, might adversely impact India’s research landscape in the long run. “With many students opting for the seemingly easier NET/SET route and short-term contractual college jobs, the pursuit of in-depth research across diverse fields could suffer,” he opines.
Professor Wani particularly criticizes the decision to devalue PhD marks for Assistant Professor positions. “While keeping NET/SET as a benchmark for Assistant Professors, and significantly devaluing and lowering the score of Ph.D. cores, might not be the best approach. It is diminishing the value of Ph.D.,” he adds.
Brain drain
Brain drain may also be one of the reasons for low academic enrollment in the universities of Kashmir. As, Professor Wani says, “there is a rising trend among students applying for scholarships abroad, even late in the cycle. Not only are they securing admissions, but also attractive scholarships and promising job opportunities, making studying abroad an increasingly popular option for career growth. Numerous consultancies are now catering to this demand, helping students navigate the process and find the best fit.”
Dr Wani also noted a change in the pattern regarding students’ interest in top Indian universities. He added “Gone are the days when Kashmiri students solely focused on Kashmir University, Jammu University, or Aligarh Muslim University for post-graduate studies. Today, they are spread across India, pursuing their academic aspirations at IIT’s, AMU, DU, JNU, and are enrolled even in private universities, driven by a desire for high-quality education.”
The Distance Education Dilemma
Professor Wani said, “the growing popularity of distance education and online learning platforms provides students with greater flexibility and accessibility. This, however, poses a challenge to traditional universities like Kashmir, as students may opt for these alternative options, leading to a decline in on-campus enrollment.” A significant increase in student enrollment has been observed in distance learning. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), with its network of Learner Support Centres, diverse program offerings, and widespread study centres, has emerged as the preferred choice for students in Kashmir seeking distance education due to its flexibility and income-earning potential.
Geographical proximity
Another significant factor, according to Dr. Babu, is the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the NTA. “Students often prioritize geographically closer universities to save on travel expenses and time, and those who miss out on nearby options due to insufficient scores may choose to withdraw from higher education altogether. Limited accessibility of online and distance learning programs also plays a role, while rising demand for such programs suggests a potential avenue for increasing enrollment,” he said.
Lure of Professional degrees
Professor Wani also brings in other factors in a transformed world where the priorities of the youngsters are different. Pragmatic thinking of linking education to employment opportunities has increased the lure of professional courses at the cost of academic courses.
Aspirants for MBBS seats exceed 20 lakh in India alone, testifying to the allure of medicinal study’s prestige and promise. According to Scholaro, medical colleges in India receive over 200,000 applications each year. In the field of Engineering the most recent information indicates that 11,13 325 candidates appeared for both JEE Main 2023 sessions. 8.2 lakh students appeared for the test out of the 8.6 lakh candidates who registered for the JEE Main 2023 January session.
“This trend is at par in Kashmir, with an increasing number of students prioritising MBBS, engineering degrees, or nursing over traditional higher education because of their alluring promise of lucrative opportunities and stability,” Professor Wani added. Added to this, affluent and well-educated parents often seek foreign shores for their children’s professional pursuits, opting for destinations like Bangladesh, Ukraine, Turkey, or even the United Kingdom and United States of America.
What are the remedies?
Dr John acknowledged that the declining student’s enrollment is a problem but added that the universities are working on it to tackle the situation. “We are trying to get expert opinions and hopefully this situation will be resolved.”
Professor Wani is more explicit. He opines that if the challenge of vacant seats in the universities is to be addressed, the increasing disenchantment with academic spaces needs to be addressed by making campuses more alluring. First, in academic jobs, preference must be given to Ph.Ds. Secondly, the critical factor of faculty deficit must be addressed.
50-60% of departments in the University, he points out, lack permanent faculty and are relying heavily on contractual positions. Added to this, recently the government has taken a decision to increase the retirement age of professors by three years, potentially pushing out promising young academics and delaying their opportunities for advancement. This creates frustration and disillusionment, especially among younger faculty members and students who aspire to enter the world of academia. “We need to look at how some of the best universities of the world – like Harvard, Cambridge, and Boston – attract the global talent. We also need to foster similar academic experts, and talented faculty with new academic aspirations.”
Wani says the existing academic aversion can have far-reaching consequences. It not only hinders the individual growth and development of students but also impedes the region’s overall socio-economic progress. A decline in skilled workforce and limited intellectual capital can stifle innovation and economic diversification, ultimately hindering Kashmir’s long-term development prospects, he emphasized.
Dr Asifa Jan opines that “since everyone is looking for skills that lead directly to jobs, universities must prioritise job-oriented curriculum.” She cited IUST’s own initiatives, such as the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Geomatics, Geoplanning, Disaster Management, Climate Change, and the “Design Your Degree” program. Notably, IUST also secured a PURSE PROJECT from Ministry of Science and Technology project called “Establishment of Design Innovation Centre (DIC)” to further bolster its job-oriented offerings. She expressed optimism that these efforts will attract a strong future enrollment.
(The news article has been updated and edited for clarity on vacancies and courses available for students)
—–
Have you liked the news article?