Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 17 Dec: With the objective of expanding distance education in the state, Uttarakhand Open University (UOU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with District Jail, Haridwar. Under this initiative, inmates lodged in the jail for various offences will be provided an opportunity to pursue education through the courses offered by the university. Similar initiatives will also be undertaken in jails of other districts to enable inmates to access higher education.
At a programme organised at District Jail, Haridwar, an important MoU was signed between Uttarakhand Open University (UOU) and the District Jail Administration. Under this agreement, a special study centre of the university will be established within the jail premises to connect inmates with higher education, enabling prisoners to pursue academic courses while in custody.
On this occasion, Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University, Prof Navin Chandra Lohani, stated that pursuing higher education is the right of every citizen, and the Open University is continuously working to ensure this right. He said that, under the university’s distance education mission, inmates lodged in Haridwar Jail will be provided access to higher education. He expressed confidence that this initiative would bring positive change in the lives of inmates and help them reintegrate into the mainstream of society with a new direction after their release.
Addressing the gathering, Senior Jail Superintendent, Haridwar, Manoj Arya, expressed happiness over the signing of the MoU and said that education is a fundamental right of every individual. He noted that reaching higher education to neglected sections of society is a major challenge. With the establishment of a study centre in Haridwar District Jail, inmates will benefit educationally and move forward with a positive mindset. He appreciated the initiative and thanked the university administration for the same.
On this occasion, Registrar Dr Khemraj Bhatt stated that Uttarakhand Open University is committed to spreading the light of higher education among deprived, neglected, and special-needs sections of society. The university’s objective is to ensure that no section of society is deprived of higher education, regardless of circumstances.
While conducting the programme, Assistant Regional Director Dr Brijesh Bankoti informed that through this special study centre, inmates lodged in the jail will be able to take admission in various courses offered by Uttarakhand Open University. He said that the university is continuously working to make higher education accessible to all by establishing study centres in new and diverse areas. On this occasion, he expressed gratitude to all university officials and the jail administration.
Present on the occasion were Deputy Jailer of District Jail, Haridwar, Shweta Joshi, officials from the university and police administration, along with hundreds of inmates.
“This initiative of Uttarakhand Open University will serve as a strong medium of hope and rehabilitation for convicted prisoners lodged in jails. Through this, inmates will get an opportunity to pursue higher education, enabling them to develop their knowledge and skills and make a dignified return to the mainstream of society,” stated Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, Higher Education Minister, Uttarakhand.
