Associated News Bureau

IIM Jammu Opens Leh Campus, Launches BBA (Hons.) Programme to Expand Higher Education Opportunities in Ladakh

Leh, October 26: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu has commenced its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Honours) programme at its Leh Campus, marking a significant step towards expanding access to quality management education in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The inaugural batch of the programme began its academic journey with an orientation ceremony held on October 26, providing students from Ladakh and other parts of the country an opportunity to pursue professional management education in the region. The initiative is part of the broader efforts of the Ladakh Administration to strengthen the higher education ecosystem, expand academic opportunities and equip young people with professional skills to contribute to the socio-economic development of the Union Territory. Under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and with the support of Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, the Department of Higher Education, UT Ladakh, has been working to strengthen institutional collaborations and introduce academic programmes aligned with emerging professional opportunities. Secretary, Higher Education, Ladakh, Bhanu Prabha, IAS, underscored the importance of bringing reputed educational institutions and specialised academic programmes within the reach of students in the Union Territory. She said the commencement of the BBA (Hons.) programme would enable young people to acquire management knowledge, develop professional competencies and prepare for future leadership roles. Emphasising the need for sustained institutional collaboration and academic excellence, she said strengthening higher education in Ladakh was essential to ensuring that local talent received opportunities to realise its full potential. She also acknowledged the guidance and support of the Lieutenant Governor in advancing educational initiatives in the region. The introduction of the programme is expected to broaden academic choices for students and open new pathways in entrepreneurship, business management, innovation and institutional leadership. It also aims to encourage enterprise development and the application of professional knowledge to address local development needs. The orientation ceremony was presided over by IIM Jammu Director Prof. B. S. Sahay. Director General of Police, UT Ladakh, Anand Jain, IPS, attended the event as Guest of Honour. Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ladakh, Prof. Saket Kushwaha, and Vice-Chancellor of Sindhu Central University, Rajeev Rattan Sharma, were also present, along with senior academic representatives and officials. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Sahay acknowledged the guidance of the Lieutenant Governor and the support of Secretary Higher Education Bhanu Prabha in advancing educational opportunities in Ladakh. He reiterated IIM Jammu’s commitment to delivering quality management education, fostering entrepreneurship and nurturing socially responsible future leaders. The programme also highlighted the significance of innovation, interdisciplinary learning, ethical leadership and continuous learning in preparing students for an increasingly dynamic professional environment. The inaugural batch comprises 53 students from 14 States and Union Territories, reflecting the programme’s national reach and positioning Leh as an emerging destination for quality higher education. The Department of Higher Education, UT Ladakh, reiterated its commitment to expanding access to quality education and facilitating academic collaborations to enable students to pursue their aspirations and contribute to the development of the Union Territory and the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The launch of the BBA (Hons.) programme at IIM Jammu’s Leh Campus marks a significant milestone in bringing specialised management education closer to the youth of Ladakh while strengthening the region’s higher education landscape. ANB