Shantmanu inaugurates IGNOU Learner Support Centre at GGM Science College, Jammu

Jul 21, 2025

JAMMU: In a significant step towards enhancing access to quality higher education, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Higher Education, Shantmanu, today inaugurated IGNOU Learner Support Centre (LSC-12133) at Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, here.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Professor Romesh Gupta, Principal GGM Science College; Dr. Sandeep Gupta, Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre Jammu; Assistant Regional Directors, Dr. Asha Upadhyay, Dr. Vikram Singh and Dr. Zeba, Deputy Registrar, S. Tejinder Pal Singh, Assistant Registrar, Dara Singh and Dr. P. S. Thakur, Coordinator of newly established Learner Support Centre.

Earlier, with the approval of Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, Professor Uma Kanjilal, based on the recommendations of Sub-Committee of Student Support Centre (SSC) in its 9th Meeting held on May 7, 2025, the Learner Support Centre (LSC) in the GGM Science College, Jammu was notified for BSCM (Bachelor of Science) and MSCZOO (Master of Science in Zoology) programmes. This is the first ever Learner Support Centre of IGNOU in the entire Jammu division to have been notified exclusively for Science based programmes.

While speaking at the event, Shantmanu underscored the importance of accessible and flexible education in today's rapidly evolving academic landscape. He added that the Department of Higher Education is making continuous efforts to strengthen the teaching-learning ecosystem across all institutions in the UT. Establishing this support centre is yet another step in our learner-centric approach to empower the students from all walks of life. He assured all cooperation and support from the Higher Education Department to IGNOU by way of expansion of Learner Support Network in the region.

Professor Romesh Gupta, Principal of GGM Science College, lauded the initiative and stated, that, this IGNOU centre will open new avenues of learning for both our students and the wider community. It will significantly enhance the academic engagement by offering services such as counselling, tutorials and examination support.

Dr. Sandeep Gupta, Regional Director, IGNOU RC Jammu, elaborated on the broader impact of IGNOU in strengthening higher education in the region. This collaboration with GGM Science College reinforces our mission to bring quality distance education closer to learners, making it more accessible and inclusive, he further remarked.

The newly established Learner Support Centre aims to serve as a vital academic and administrative hub for IGNOU learners across the Jammu region, furthering the goals of inclusive and lifelong education.