Leh, Aug 19: The first Ladakh Education Fair 2022 organised by the Higher Education Department in collaboration with Ladakh Skill Development Mission and the University of Ladakh, was hosted by the Government Degree Colleges of Ladakh at Leh, Kargil, Nubra, Drass, Zanskar and Sankoo.

Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, R K Mathur virtually inaugurated the fair and also launched the Ladakh Skill Development Portal (https://lsdm.ladakh.gov.in). In the keynote calling Ladakhi youth the future of Ladakh, LG Mathur advised them to make full use of the first Ladakh Education Fair. He appreciated the attitude of the Ladakhi youth for coming back to Ladakh after the completion of their higher education to work for the benefit of society. He stated that this is a positive sign for society and the economy of the region. He informed that efforts are being made to provide jobs and scholarships to the students of Ladakh. LG Mathur called choosing a career or profession as a critical decision for youth. He suggested the primary sector as an area that can contribute to the economy of Ladakh in the future. He stressed the need for convergence between the future of Ladakh and the subjects chosen by the students, especially those that are relevant to Ladakh. LG Mathur expressed hope that the Fair would prove beneficial to students in providing guidance and helping them to decide their careers/professions.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education and Skill Development Department, Padma Angmo briefed the audience about the concept behind the Ladakh Education fair and said that the fair will focus on five components related to education and employment: subject choice, career guidance, scholarships, skill development and apprenticeship. She urged all the students to reap the full benefits of this unique education fair wherein experts from different walks of life will give their valuable insight and guidance to the students on these five components.

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Guest of Honour, C. Phuntsok (IAS retd), who was also the 1st Vice Chancellor of the University of Ladakh spoke on the importance of analytical learning and on education as an investment in human resources. He advised the students on effective time management and the importance of perseverance and hard work for a fruitful future.

Chairman, LAHDC Kargil, Feroz Ahmed Khan, Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk, Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel and Vice-Chancellor, UoL, Prof SK Mehta were present at the venues and the inaugural session was webcast at all the six venues followed by separate technical sessions at each venue.

The Fair at Leh was jointly hosted by Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh and Government Degree College Khaltsi. At the Ladakh Education Fair at EJM College, Prof. S K Mehta (Vice Chancellor, UoL), Magsaysay awardee, Sonam Wangchuk (Founder HAIL), Dr Norden Otzer (Otolaryngologist); Ms Zahra Begum (Lecturer Technical Education), Dr Tashi Tundup (Psychiatrist) spoke on a wide range of topics like career options in alternative education, career opportunities: an insight for one and all, apprenticeship training programme awareness, the scope of research and publication, amongst a myriad of interesting and significant topics.

All the sessions throughout the fair were open to interaction in which students asked questions to the experts and deliberated upon respective challenges faced by them and explored solutions with the experts.

Stalls were set up by Sector Skill Councils Paints and Coating Sector Skill Council, Handicrafts and Carpet Sector Skill Council, Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative, Apparel, made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council, Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council, Media & Entertainment Sector Skill Council and Skill Council for Green. Various Banks also set up their stalls at the venue and made students aware of the education loan.

The technical sessions included a panel discussion on Subject choices which has the Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences who interacted with students of Class XI-XII and detailed out the scope and expense of their respective subjects so that students make informed choices while seeking admission to colleges in the coming years.

Dr. Safdar Ali, IRS, Director, School Education spoke on career opportunities in Civil Services and Prof. Deskyong Namgyal from the University of Ladakh discussed the National Education Policy.  Dr. Tashi Tundup, Psychiatrist, SNM Hospital spoke on ‘Mental Health and Illness: Implications for Life and Career” and Professor Tashi Ldawa, discussed the scope of research and publication. Dr. Sonam Spalzin, Archeologist spoke on the career opportunities in the field of Archaeology.  Thinles Nurboo, Agriprenuer, Ladakh Basket and Dr. Aijaz Mir Entrepreneur discussed entrepreneurship scope in Ladakh.

Day 2 of the Ladakh Education fair will have sessions on Skill development, Scholarship, career opportunities in the primary sector, and sessions on Space science, Astrophotography, Filmmaking and Journalism.