Central Government Approves the Development First Central University in Ladakh

The central government has approved the establishment of the first central university in Ladakh with a centre for Buddhist Studies. The approval will be forwarded to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) for the official decision. The approval will also have to be cleared by the Union Cabinet and finally, by the Parliament.

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The university will offer degrees in streams like the liberal arts and the basic sciences; it will not offer engineering and medical courses. The centre for Buddhist studies is intended to draw the Tibetan Buddhist population belonging to the Gelu and Kagyu sects.

The people of Ladakh have been demanding a central university for a long time. Many students have to migrate to other states for higher education. More than 10,000 Ladakhi students have been compelled to travel hundreds of kilometres away to receive higher education.

The proposed university would also present opportunities for students of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, once the Rohtang La Tunnel is opened. The tunnel which connects Manali to Leh is expected to open this year. This would provide access to Leh at all times.