2 Day Workshop on PMSSS 2023-24 inaugurated at Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Govt College for Women, Gandhinagar

JAMMU, May 12: The Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) took center stage today as a two-day workshop was inaugurated at  Padma Shri Padma Sachdev Government College for Women Gandhinagar. 

Dr Ravi Shankar Sharma, Special Secretary to Higher Education was the chief guest on the occasion. The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Kunal Jeet Singh, Director SAGB, AICTE, RK Ganjoo, Assistant Director SAGB, AICTE, Prof Ajeet Angral, Consultant SAGB, AICTE and Prof SP Saraswat, Nodal Principal, Jammu, Principals of various Government Degree Colleges, Polytechnic Colleges, and Higher Secondary Schools.

The formal welcome address was extended by Dr S.P. Saraswat, Nodal Principal,Jammu. The Program began with green welcome to the dignitaries followed by lightning of lamp and Saraswati Vandana by the Students of Music Department of Gandhi Nagar College.

The Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) is an initiative by the Government of India to provide financial assistance and educational opportunities to students from the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The scheme aims to empower students by enabling them to pursue higher education in colleges and universities outside their home towns, thus fostering national integration and skill development.

The workshop was aimed at to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and discussion among key stakeholders involved in the implementation and administration of the PMSSS.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Ravi Shankar Sharma, Special Secretary to Higher Education expressed his gratitude to all the participants for their active engagement in promoting educational opportunities for students from Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the importance of the PMSSS in fostering national integration and enabling talented youth to realize their full potential.

Prof Ajeet Angral, Consultant SAGB, AICTE highlighted the significance of the workshop in streamlining the scholarship process, disseminating information about the scheme, and addressing any challenges faced by the participating institutions. He spoke about the odyssey of PMSSS which started with about 38 students and today the number has exceeded to thousands. He encouraged open dialogue and collaboration among the stakeholders to ensure the smooth functioning of the scheme.

The Director of the Student Affairs and Grievance Bureau (SAGB) at the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Kunal Jeet Singh, delivered an enlightening presentation on the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS). 

The workshop aimed to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders involved in the implementation and success of the PMSSS.

Kunal Jeet Singh’s presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the PMSSS, highlighting its significance in promoting accessible and quality higher education for students from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh.

Mr RK Ganjoo, Assistant Director SAGB, AICTE emphasised the importance of inclusive education and equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their geographical location. He outlined the various scholarships and benefits offered under the PMSSS, including tuition fee waivers, hostel and mess expenses, book allowances, and more. He emphasised on documentation and enlightened the participants about the procedure of filling the scholarship form correctly.

It is anticipated that the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders will contribute to the growth and development of the scholarship scheme, thereby creating a brighter future for the students of Jammu and Kashmir. The two-day workshop brought together a diverse group of educators, government officials, and administrators involved in the higher education sector.

Attendees had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the PMSSS, its objectives, and the steps taken by the AICTE to ensure its effective implementation.  The presentations were followed by fruitful discussion and question and answer session.

The proceedings of the event were conducted by Prof Sugandha Mahajan. The Day 1 of the workshop concluded with formal vote of thanks by Prof Minu Mahajan, Principal, PSPS Govt College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu.