Leh, October 26: The Department of Higher Education, Union Territory of Ladakh, has marked a significant milestone in expanding access to quality higher education with the commencement of the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA Honours) programme at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu’s Leh Campus. The programme commenced with an orientation ceremony for the inaugural batch on October 26, 2026, opening new avenues for the youth of Ladakh to pursue professional management education closer to home.
The initiative reflects the continued focus of the UT Administration, under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena , on strengthening the higher education ecosystem, widening educational opportunities and equipping local youth with the knowledge and skills required to contribute to Ladakh’s socio-economic development.
Under the leadership and guidance of the Lieutenant Governor, and with the support of *Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Shri Ashish Kundra*, the Department of Higher Education is working towards expanding access to quality academic programmes, strengthening institutional collaborations and aligning higher education with emerging professional opportunities. The commencement of the BBA (Hons.) programme at IIM Jammu’s Leh Campus represents an important step in this direction.
*Ms. Bhanu Prabha, IAS, Secretary, Higher Education, UT Ladakh*, highlighted the importance of bringing reputed institutions and specialised academic programmes within the reach of students in the Union Territory. She observed that the commencement of the BBA (Hons.) programme would provide young people with greater opportunities to acquire management knowledge, develop professional competencies and prepare for future leadership roles.
She emphasised that strengthening higher education in Ladakh requires sustained institutional collaboration, a focus on academic quality and the creation of opportunities that enable local talent to realise its full potential. She also expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor for his guidance and support in advancing educational initiatives in the region.
The Department of Higher Education views the introduction of the programme as part of the broader effort to diversify educational opportunities in Ladakh and connect students with emerging fields such as entrepreneurship, business management, innovation and institutional leadership. Access to specialised management education can help students explore new career pathways while encouraging enterprise development and the application of professional knowledge to local needs.
The orientation programme was presided over by *Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu*, and was attended by *Shri Anand Jain, IPS, Director General of Police, UT Ladakh*, as Guest of Honour, along with *Prof. Saket Kushwaha, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh*, and *Shri Rajeev Rattan Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Sindhu Central University*, among other senior academic representatives and officials.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. B. S. Sahay acknowledged the guidance of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and the support of Ms. Bhanu Prabha, Secretary, Higher Education, UT Ladakh, in advancing educational opportunities. He reiterated IIM Jammu’s commitment to providing quality management education, nurturing entrepreneurship and preparing socially responsible future leaders.
The programme also highlighted the importance of innovation, interdisciplinary learning, ethical leadership and continuous learning in preparing students for a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
The inaugural batch comprises 53 students from 14 States/UTs, reflecting the growing reach of IIM Jammu’s prestigious management education programme and positioning Leh as an emerging destination for quality higher education in Ladakh.
The Department of Higher Education, UT Ladakh, remains committed to facilitating academic collaborations and expanding access to quality higher education so that students can pursue their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to the development of the Union Territory and the national vision of *Viksit Bharat @2047*.
The commencement of the BBA (Hons.) programme at IIM Jammu’s Leh Campus is an important step towards bringing specialised management education closer to the youth of Ladakh and strengthening the region’s educational landscape.
