In recognition to outstanding contribution towards the welfare and education of students from Jammu & Kashmir studying in Punjab and Chandigarh, Dr. Anshu Kataria, President of the Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) and Chairman of Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh, was honoured with the “Voice of J&K Students in Punjab” Award by Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of J&K.
Award Presented at Prestigious SKICC Ceremony
The award was presented during a prestigious ceremony held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Srinagar, in the presence of Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, and Sakina Itoo, Minister for Education and Health, J&K.
CM Invites Punjab Institutions to Invest in J&K Education
While interacting with Dr. Kataria and the education fraternity, CM invited educational institutions from Punjab to establish colleges and universities in J&K. He observed that every year nearly Rs 2,500–3,000 crore flows out of the Union Territory in the form of tuition fees and educational expenses as students move to other states for higher education.
He emphasized that the establishment of quality institutions within J&K would not only strengthen the local education ecosystem and generate employment opportunities but would also reduce financial outflow from the region and provide students with quality education closer to home.
Two Decades of PUCA’s Support for J&K Students
Responding to the CM, Dr. Kataria highlighted that for nearly two decades, PUCA has been at the forefront of safeguarding the interests of J&K students studying in Punjab and Chandigarh. He stated that whenever students faced academic, administrative, scholarship, admission, hostel, or safety-related challenges, PUCA and its member institutions actively intervened to ensure timely support and resolution.
PUCA’s Intervention in MRSPTU Naming and Student Interests
Dr. Kataria recalled that PUCA strongly raised students’ concerns regarding the proposed technical university and its impact on degree recognition, particularly for J&K students. Following sustained representations to the Punjab Government, including the then Chief Minister Late Parkash Singh Badal and Technical Education Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, the university was ultimately named Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), safeguarding students’ interests and preserving the legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
PUCA’s Humanitarian Support During Pahalgam Tragedy
Highlighting PUCA’s humanitarian role, Dr. Kataria referred to the difficult period following the Pahalgam tragedy. At a time when fear and uncertainty gripped students from J&K studying outside their home state, PUCA and its member institutions stepped forward to provide reassurance, accommodation, counselling, and a safe environment.
Aryans Group of Colleges and several PUCA member institutions opened their hostels and campuses, ensuring safe passage, shelter, and support for affected students.
Advocacy for Pharmacy Students and Academic Relief
He further pointed out that PUCA played a key role in raising issues concerning pharmacy students affected by the Pharmacy Council of India’s year-back regulations. Through continuous representation before concerned authorities, PUCA worked tirelessly to secure relief and protect the academic future of thousands of students.
Supreme Court Efforts for Extension of Admission Deadlines
Dr. Kataria also emphasized that a large number of students from J&K often miss regular admission deadlines because national-level counselling processes such as BOPEE, JEE, CUET, LEET and other entrance examinations continue beyond the prescribed admission schedule.
To prevent students from losing an academic year, PUCA has, for the past five consecutive years, approached the Supreme Court seeking extensions in admission cut-off dates. These efforts have enabled thousands of deserving students from J&K and other states to secure admissions and continue their higher education without disruption.
Award Dedicated to Students and Stakeholders of J&K
Receiving the honour, Dr. Kataria dedicated the award to the students, parents, educational institutions, and stakeholders of J&K. He reaffirmed PUCA’s unwavering commitment to continue working for the educational rights, welfare, safety, scholarship opportunities, and career advancement of students from the Union Territory.