A group of professionals has announced the launch of the region’s first crowdfunded university, named the University of WathHarbor.
This proposed university will be built entirely through public contributions and collective efforts, making it the first of its kind in Jammu Kashmir. The founders describe it as a university by the people, for the people, and of the people, with a focus on providing quality education and promoting self-reliance.
Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, the project leaders said that the university will offer courses in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and other technologies associated with the fourth industrial revolution.
They added that the aim is to equip the youth of Kashmir with globally competitive skills while creating opportunities within the region. The founders made it clear that this would not be a profit-driven private university, but rather a community-driven institution focused on education, research, and social development.
At present, Jammu Kashmir has around 11 government universities, serving nearly 1.5 lakh students. However, due to limited private sector involvement in higher education, thousands of students leave Jammu Kashmir every year to pursue higher studies elsewhere.
The University of WathHarbor is being planned as a solution to reduce this academic migration by offering world-class education locally and helping to retain and nurture talent within the region.
To make this vision a reality, the university’s founders have appealed to the Jammu Kashmir government to provide 25 acres of land on a 99-year lease at a nominal fee.
They pointed out that other states, such as Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, have already adopted similar models to support new educational institutions. They also urged the government to introduce a private university act in Jammu Kashmir, which would create a legal framework to support such initiatives.
The funding for the university will come from public donations, contributions through corporate social responsibility (CSR), and support from the local community and the global Kashmiri diaspora. Dr Mehboob Makhdoomi, the founder of the initiative, said that the project is not only about education but also about promoting self-reliance, empowerment, and creating a brighter future for Kashmir.
He invited people from all walks of life to become part of this historic movement.
With strong public participation and government support, the University of WathHarbor aims to become an international center for research, innovation, and skills development.
The board of the university includes several well-known personalities from various fields. These include Dr Mehboob Makhdoomi (founder and chairman of the trust), Dr Mushtaq Marghoob (trustee and former professor and head of the PG department of psychiatry at GMC), Syed Humayun Qaiser (trustee and spokesperson, and former director of Radio Kashmir), Zareef Ahmad Zareef (poet and social activist), Syed Parvez Qalander (consultant and chartered engineer), Latief U Zaman Deva (retired IAS officer and former chairperson of JKPSC), Khair Ul Nisa Sheikh (principal advisor to the chairman and executive director of World Trade Center India), Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan (media coordinator, TV producer, and filmmaker), Riyaz Ahmad Shoga (accounts officer, former banker, and social worker), G N Var (president of the Private School Association), and Faheem Abdullah (artist).
The founders hope that through public support and collaboration, the University of WathHarbor will become a symbol of progress and self-reliance in Jammu Kashmir.
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