In an innovative first the Jammu University has launched Jammu and Kashmir ‘Gyanodaya Express’. It is basically ‘College On Wheels’, which is literally and metaphorically, a transformative educational journey. The train has set off with more than 700 girls onboard.
These 700 students were selected on the basis of the merit of their projects.
This unique ‘College On Wheels’ train was flagged off from Katra Railway Station, Reasi district, Jammu on Sunday by Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor and Chancellor University of Jammu Manoj Sinha.
Professor Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor University of Jammu has said, ‘These projects are interdisciplinary in nature, as students from different backgrounds are part of a single group, working under the supervision of a mentor’.
During the flagging off ceremony of the train, the LG lauded the unique and innovative efforts of Jammu University’s Higher Education Council and everybody else who was in some or another way associated with this initiative of empowering the lives of approximately 700 female students from across the different Universities of this Union Territory.
In his address, the LG also informed a very similar Gyanodaya will also be launched soon from the Union Territory for all the male students from different Universities of J&K.
At the same time, the LG also highlighted that this initiative is inspired by the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He travelled across the country by train, met many people from different walks of life and introduced our society to the values of ‘Satya’ and ‘Ahimsa’ (truth and non-violence).
All about the ‘Gyanodaya Express’:
– More than 700 students along with 100 faculty members from seven academic institutions of Jammu and Kashmir, besides Cluster Innovation Center Delhi, IIT Bombay and more than 20 affiliated colleges of J&K UT are participating in this momentous journey.
– The seven educational institutions include- Kashmir University, Cluster University of Srinagar, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Cluster University of Jammu, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Mata Vaishno Devi University and University of Jammu.
– Aimed at dissolving the idea of a classroom with four walls and streams this initiative is being deemed as an educational pilgrimage. This innovative train will take the students through various states which will ensure immersive, collaborative, and project-based learning experiences.
– During this journey, the students will be visiting both the houses of Parliament, President House, IIT Bombay, Shipyards of Bombay and Goa, ISRO and various other relevant places.
– Since this innovative educational journey is inspired by the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the students onboard will also be taught about operating the Charkha. And there’s also a reward in place for a student who will spin the longest thread from a Charkha.
– Additionally, these students will also get the opportunity to visit the ashrams of Mahatma Gandhi in Sabarmati and Vardha, where they will get a chance to learn more about the history of the freedom struggle and its significance.
