Education is the backbone of any society, and higher education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of individuals and the community as a whole. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India, is home to over 5 lakh people, but unfortunately, it lacks a full-fledged university, depriving the students of the region of higher education opportunities.
The absence of a university has forced the students to travel to the mainland for higher education, which is not only a costly affair but also a significant inconvenience for many families. The students have limited opportunities, and they miss out on many resources and facilities that a full-fledged university would provide. Therefore, the public of Andaman & Nicobar Islands have demanded the establishment of a Central University in the region.
The islands already have several colleges and institutes like Engineering College, Medical College, Law College, Degree Colleges, Polytechnics, and ITIs. However, they are affiliated with universities of other states, which creates a disparity in quality education. A Central University in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands would enhance the quality of education and provide a level playing field to the students, which would be at par with the education standards of other states.
During his visit to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in December 2018, the Honorable Prime Minister of India had announced the establishment of a Deemed University named after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. However, the public of the region has requested the Honorable Prime Minister to take necessary steps towards establishing a Central University instead of a Deemed University.
A Central University would revolutionize higher education in various streams and provide better educational opportunities to the students. It would also facilitate economic and social development and generate more employment opportunities for the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In contrast, a Deemed University in the region would be managed by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, which has already facing many challenges to solve the issues faced by the students. Moreover, the fees structure of a Deemed University is higher than that of a Central University, which would make it difficult for poor farmers and backward community persons to afford it.
The Union Territory of Ladakh, which has a population of approximately 2.3 lakhs, is much smaller than the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, yet it has been chosen to establish a Central University despite being 273 Km away from the Central University of Jammu. On the other hand, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with a population of over 5 lakhs, and being 1400 Km away from the mainland, have the potential to attract Asian nations for being educated with the Central University.
The establishment of a Central University in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is essential for the development of the region and its people. The Honorable Prime Minister should take note of the public demand and initiate necessary steps towards establishing a Central University in the region to provide better educational opportunities and shape the future of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.