Jammu University launches B.Com., three skill-based certificate courses under Non-Collegiate Women Education Board (NCWEB)

• Weekend classes, formal degrees and employable skills to help women become financially independent: VC Prof. Umesh Rai

JAMMU: In a significant step towards expanding higher education opportunities for women, the University of Jammu on Tuesday launched a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) programme and three skill-based certificate courses in Goods and Services Tax (GST), Information Technology (IT) and General Accounting under its newly established Non-Collegiate Women Education Board (NCWEB). The initiative aims to enable women to pursue formal higher education through weekend classes while acquiring practical skills to enhance their employment and self-employment prospects.

Addressing a press conference at the University, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai said the initiative seeks to expand higher education opportunities for women who, due to family responsibilities, professional commitments or other circumstances, find it difficult to attend regular colleges, as well as those wishing to resume their education after a break.

Prof. Rai emphasised that education should not be limited by age, circumstances or responsibilities. He said the University's objective is not merely to provide women with an opportunity to earn a formal degree but also to equip them with the skills and confidence needed to become economically independent.

Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, the Vice-Chancellor said educating a woman has a far-reaching impact on the family and society. He emphasised that women's education and empowerment are central to the establishment of NCWEB, which provides a flexible academic arrangement while retaining the benefits of regular classroom learning.

Drawing upon his experience at the University of Delhi, Prof. Rai said the Non-Collegiate Women Education Board has been functioning there for more than seven decades, providing educational opportunities to women who are unable to attend regular weekday classes.

He said the University of Jammu has adopted the concept to address the educational needs of women in the region, particularly working women, homemakers and those wishing to continue or resume their studies.

Prof. Rai said NCWEB has initially been associated with the University's Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) to facilitate the necessary financial assistance, administrative arrangements and institutional support.

He said the Board may eventually function as an independent entity as the initiative develops. For the time being, its association with CDOE will help provide the necessary financial and institutional support for the effective implementation of the programmes.

Placing particular emphasis on skill-based education, the Vice-Chancellor said a university degree, though essential for meeting eligibility requirements for various employment opportunities, must be complemented by practical and relevant skills.

He said employers increasingly look beyond academic qualifications and assess candidates on the basis of their practical skills and ability to apply knowledge in professional settings.

In this context, Prof. Rai stressed the need to incorporate communication skills, Information Technology, basic coding, Artificial Intelligence, mathematical ability, data handling and financial accountancy, including Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Income Tax, into the proposed skill-based curriculum.

Prof. Rai said the objective is to ensure that women completing these programmes are not dependent solely on conventional employment opportunities. With relevant skills, they can also explore self-employment, establish their own ventures and create sustainable sources of livelihood.

He reiterated that the University aims to combine formal education with employable skills, enabling women to become confident, professionally competent and financially self-reliant.

Announcing the commencement of academic programmes under NCWEB, Prof. Rai said the University has launched the Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) programme along with three certificate courses in Goods and Services Tax (GST), Information Technology (IT) and General Accounting. He informed that the admission advertisement has also been issued.

The Vice-Chancellor clarified that students enrolling in the B.Com. programme will receive a formal university degree, while the certificate courses are designed to provide practical, job-oriented skills. He added that more short-term, vocational and skill-based programmes will be introduced in the future, keeping in view emerging industry requirements and employment opportunities.

Prof. Rai said classes will be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays, making the programmes particularly suitable for women who cannot attend regular classes during weekdays.

While the initiative is initially expected to benefit women from the Jammu region, Prof. Rai said the University may consider establishing additional centres in remote and far-flung areas, depending upon the response.

He said the University's endeavour is to ensure that women who wish to pursue higher education have meaningful opportunities to do so, irrespective of their personal or professional commitments. He expressed confidence that the initiative will benefit a large number of women and help them pursue their educational and professional aspirations.

Earlier, Prof. Pankaj K. Srivastava, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), while outlining the academic framework of the initiative, said NCWEB has been specifically designed to provide higher education opportunities to women who, due to personal, family, professional or other commitments, are unable to attend regular colleges or pursue higher education through the conventional mode.

He said the initiative also provides an opportunity to women wishing to resume their studies after a break, ensuring that educational opportunities remain accessible at different stages of their lives.

Explaining the academic arrangements, Prof. Srivastava said eligible women can enrol in the programmes through a structured academic system, with regular classroom teaching conducted on weekends at designated centres.

He said the distinctive feature of NCWEB is that classes will be conducted in regular mode on Saturdays and Sundays, allowing students to attend classes physically while continuing with their professional and personal responsibilities.

Prof. Srivastava said the University has initially introduced a limited number of academic programmes and courses, with plans to gradually expand the offerings in accordance with the educational needs of women and the response received.

He added that the University intends to introduce more relevant and need-based academic programmes in the coming years, particularly short-term and skill-oriented courses aligned with emerging industry requirements and market demands.

Describing the launch as the beginning of a larger academic initiative, he expressed hope that NCWEB will create new opportunities for women to pursue higher education, develop professional skills and improve their employment and livelihood prospects.

During the interactive session, the Vice-Chancellor responded to queries from media representatives and elaborated on the academic structure, skill-development components and future expansion of NCWEB. Prof. Rai also expressed his gratitude to the media fraternity for its continued support in highlighting the University's academic initiatives and achievements. 

The press conference was attended by Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Prof. J. P. Singh Joorel, Dean Academic Affairs; Prof. Pankaj K. Srivastava, Director, CDOE; Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar; Prof. Sandeep Tandon; faculty members Dr. Neelam Choudhary, Dr. Jaspal Singh, Dr. Rajbeer Singh and Dr. Jasleen Kaur; and University officers Sham Lal, Harish Gupta and Satinder Singh, besides representatives of the print, electronic and digital media.

The proceedings of the press conference were conducted by Ms. Mansi Mantoo, Media Officer, University of Jammu. The programme concluded with an interactive session with media representatives.