Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

Jammu, Apr 26: Omar Abdullah has urged leading educational institutions to invest in Jammu and Kashmir’s higher education sector, highlighting new opportunities created under recently enacted reforms aimed at transforming the region into an academic hub.

During an interaction with a senior delegation of education sector representatives in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister emphasised the potential of the newly notified Jammu and Kashmir Private Universities Act, 2026, which has now been formally passed by the Legislative Assembly and received assent from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Tanvir Sadiq, senior officials, and representatives from various academic institutions. Abdullah invited reputed organisations to establish campuses in the region and collaborate in building a modern and globally competitive education ecosystem.

He said the new legal framework would encourage quality investment in higher education and help attract students, researchers, and academic collaborations from across India and abroad. The government, he added, is committed to ensuring a transparent and investor-friendly environment to support this transformation.

The legislation, widely welcomed across party lines, is seen as a significant milestone in strengthening the region’s education sector.

On Saturday, Abdullah also held discussions with Karnataka-based filmmakers in Bengaluru, inviting them to explore Kashmir Valley for film shooting. He highlighted the region’s natural landscapes, cultural diversity, and heritage, assuring full government support to make filmmaking easier and more accessible.

The initiatives form part of the administration’s broader push to promote economic development and position Jammu and Kashmir as both an educational and cultural destination.