Education in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh was under the direct control of the British colonial rule in the mid 19th century. Also, the state was the summer capital of India during the British colonial rule. Hence, the standard of education provided in the state has reached to a considerably high level. The state has several highly reputed educational institutions for higher studies.
The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) and the National Institute of Technology (NIT), NIT Hamirpur are some of the pioneer institutions located in the state. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allocated Rs 45 million to Himachal Pradesh University in the 10th plan which is an increase of nearly 70% over the ninth one.^[1] Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry has gained a unique distinction not only in the nation but also in whole of Asia for imparting teaching, research and extension education in horticulture, forestry and allied disciplines.

The government is working constantly to prepare various plans to strengthen the education system of Himachal. The state government has decided to start up with 3 major nursing colleges to develop the health system in the state.^[2]
Himachal has one of the highest literacy rates in India. Hamirpur District is among the top districts in the country for literacy. Education rates among women are quite encouraging in the state.
Himachal Pradesh is home to many educational institutions offering a wide variety of courses. There are five universities, two medical colleges, four dental colleges and two engineering colleges in the state. There are over 10,000 primary schools, 1,000 secondary schools and more than 1,300 high schools in Himachal.^[3] In meeting the constitutional obligation to make primary education compulsory, Himachal has now became the first state in India to make elementary education accessible to every child in the state.^[4] Himachal Pradesh government is also very keen to transform this state into an education hub. In March 2008, Government of India made an announcement stating that as part of the 11th five-year plan, an Indian Institute of Technology will be established in this state. Further, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Engineering and Technology Institute has been started at Pragatinagar, in shimla distt. This college will have engineering related courses such as ITI, Diploma and Degree all in same campus.

University

Shoolini University Shoolini university was established in the year 2009 as India's first Biotechnology University. It is fully recognised by the University Grants Commission(UGC) and other Government bodies. The university has a research driven model and offers programmes in Biotechnology, Management Sciences, Engineering,Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The university has been able to bag research projects worth over Rs 150 million from various government bodies like DST, ICMR, DRDO, DAE, MNRE etc.

Shoolini University aced the ‘India Rankings 2016’ released by the HRD Ministry (Govt. Of India) by bagging 66 th position from a total of 236 universities. Shoolini University established in 2009 is the youngest to find a place among the 100 universities. It also competed in the pharmacy ranking and its School of Pharmaceutical Sciences was ranked 19th in the country.

Manav Bharti University is in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. One of the top most private universities in Himachal Pradesh. It is approved by UGC, AICTE, DEC, BCI, and PCI. Manav Bharti University is a State Private University established under Himachal Pradesh State Legislature Act and notified under Section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act 1956.[citation needed]. MBU is located in the rural backdrop of Himachal district Solan. Serene and lush green picturesque surroundings makes the campus truly environment friendly, eloquent and unique hustle free knowledge centre.

Manav Bharti University, Solan offers various Courses/Programs leading to Diploma/Under Graduation on regular basis only at its campus (Village - Laddo, P.O.- Sultanpur, Kumhar Hatti).

Solan Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital is the first & only Homoeopathic Medical College in the state of Himachal Pradesh, founded in 2002 by Health Trust of India, a charitable trust registered in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The college is affiliated to H. P. University, Shimla, approved by the Himachal Pradesh Government & Recognized by the Central Council of Homoeopathy, Department of AYUSH (Govt. Of India) New Delhi for 5 ½ Years degree course – B.H.M.S (Bachelor in Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery). It is located midway between Chandigarh & Shimla at KUMARHATTI on National Highway 22. Students from as far as Manipur and Mizoram are studying here in its serene, cool and spacious campus located among pine trees.

In 2002, Government of Himachal Pradesh allowed the Jaypee Group to open first private university of the state namely Jaypee University of Information Technology. In April. 2008 two new private universities namely Eternal University and Chitkara University were established. Eternal University, established in Sirmour Distt. of Himachal Pradesh, is the first University of Distt. Sirmour. Akal College of Nursing, established in 2008, affiliated to Eternal University, Baru Sahib became the First Nursing college to be established in the state of Himachal Pradesh in Private sector.Government of Himachal Pradesh allowed the K.D. Education Trust to open first private university of the Kangra namely Arni University at Kathgarh, the seat of the famous Lord Shiva temple, near village Mirthal, 25 km from/ on Pathankot- Jalandhar Highway (NH-1A).

APG (Alakh Prakash Goyal) Shimla University came up in the Year 2012 in the main Capital of Himachal Pradesh i.e. Shimla. The APG (Alakh Prakash Goyal) Shimla University situated in the picturesque location of Shimla running courses in Engineering, Management, Hotel management, Law, Journalism, Architecture and Fashion design.

Engineering institutions

National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, (Admin block)

The state of Himachal Pradesh is a late starter in establishing engineering institutes as compared to other states of India. National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur (then Regional Engineering College, Hamirpur) was the first institute established in 1986. IITT college of Engineering, Kala Amb was the second institute established in the 20th century. The remaining institutes were established in the 21st century. An Government engineering namely, Jawaharlal Nehru Government Engineering College in sundernagar was established by state govt in 2006. Needless to say that none of these institutions have achieved academic maturity as yet. Though some institutions (notably National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur) are striving hard to be centrs of excellence, however the results are not encouraging. People of Himachal Pradesh nurture a desire to make this state a Switzerland of India because both share similar topography, however Himachal Pradesh lacks Swiss industrial prowess at present. It is hoped that manpower trained at these institutions shall support the industries in the region and some budding entrepreneurs will emerge to transform the industrial landscape of the state.

Educational institutions (non-governmental)

Himachal Pradesh is home to several non-governmental organisations (NGO) operating educational institutes in the state.

• Deer Park Institute offers educational courses and seminars in classical Indian wisdom traditions.^[5]
• Dharmalaya Institute provides education and vocational training in vernacular earthen architecture in the traditional Kangra style, as well as service-learning courses in sustainable living and immersive ecotourism programs.^[6]
• NISHTHA is a charitable trust working for the benefit and development of society as a whole by improving the welfare of families with particular focus on women and children, through activities in the fields of health, education and environment.^[7]
• Shantideva Homeopathic Research Institute (SHRI) runs educational programs to increase awareness of healthy lifestyles, offering free clinics and seminars for the rural population of Himachal Pradesh.

Dr Puran Chand Medical Charitable Trust (Regd) runs a number of Institutions in the State – Himachal Dental College, Sundernagar (District Mandi), Himachal Institute of Dental Sciences, Himachal Institute of Technology, Himachal Institute of Nursing, Himachal Institute of Life Sciences, and Himachal Institute of Pharmacy all at Paonta Sahib (District Sirmaur)

References

See also

• List of educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh