Port Blair, Oct 28: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament Andaman & Nicobar Island had requested the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to kindly consider for establishment of a Central University in Andaman & Nicobar Islands in place of Deemed University. Mr. Sharma said that a Deemed University was never the dreams of the Islanders but the Islanders always wanted a Central University. At present all the Colleges of this Islands are offering various degree courses like MBBS, BE, UG and PG degrees in general courses, BALLB, B.Ed etc., are affiliated to Pondicherry Central University. Affiliating these colleges down to a Deemed University will definitely be a disgrace to this institutions and the students. The Central Universities will have more prospects and employment generation than a Deemed University that will certainly boost the higher Education perceptions and will help the young Islanders. The absence of full fledged University in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is depriving the students belonging to poor and marginalized sections of the society. Since they have limited opportunities and have to travel mainland which is too costly affair.
Moreover, our Island is going to be developed as a “Maritime and Startup Hub” and Andaman & Nicobar Island will play a important role in Governments self reliant India Project and the growth of New India.
Islands of Andaman Archipelago have been selected for high impact Projects with an emphasis on boosting trade of Sea based, organic and coconut based product of the Region.Andaman &Nicobar Island have the potential to become an important Centre of Blue economy and “Maritine and Startup Hub”. In order to realize the true potential of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, there is an immediate requirement to establish a Central University in Andaman & Nicobar Island. Central University will help in addressing the problems faced in the Island since most of them have to seek affiliation from Pondicherry or other neighboring states like west Bengal and Tamil Nadu. With the establishment of Central University in the Island, good and efficient faculties will be able to join, which will ensure a better quality Education to our children. The Andaman & Nicobar Island have the potential to be an Educational Hub due to its strategic location. It shares “ Maritine borders with several south East Asian Countries like Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and setting of a Central University will help in advancing research studies in the area of Oceanography, National Security, International Tourism and Defence. Mr. Sharma said that establishment of a Central University in Andaman & Nicobar Island will help to revolutionize higher Education and provide a level playing field to students. So, that they can avail of better Education opportunities and such a step will also facilitate economic and social development of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
