In a major step towards expanding higher education in the Kumaon region, the Uttarakhand government has approved the transfer of 26.4 acres of land in Patwadangar for the establishment of a third campus of Kumaon University. The move aims to strengthen academic infrastructure and introduce specialised courses focused on emerging fields of science and technology.
Our correspondent reports that the land transfer process has been completed, and all revenue and legal formalities have been finalised. The new campus will house departments in nanotechnology, biomedical sciences, computing, and Himalayan medicinal plants, positioning Kumaon University as one of the leading research-oriented institutions in the region.
Officials said the decision reflects the government’s long-term vision to promote advanced scientific education and research opportunities for students of Uttarakhand. The expansion is expected to ease pressure on the existing campuses in Nainital and Almora, which are operating near capacity due to increasing enrolments.
Our correspondent adds that once operational, the Patwadangar campus will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary research and innovation in life sciences and technology. It will also focus on studies related to Himalayan ecology, sustainable resource management, and mountain agriculture, aligning with the state’s environmental and developmental priorities.
Senior officials of Kumaon University said that the new campus will be equipped with modern laboratories, digital classrooms, and research facilities. Efforts are underway to secure funding from central and state schemes for infrastructure development, while academic planning committees are finalising the curriculum for newly proposed departments.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. N. K. Pandey welcomed the government’s decision and said that the expansion will not only enhance academic capacity but also create new employment opportunities in the field of education, research, and administration. He said that the university intends to collaborate with national research institutions and industries for projects in biotechnology, computational sciences, and natural medicine.
The initiative is also expected to benefit local communities, as the establishment of the new campus will boost the local economy through infrastructure development, housing, and small-scale business growth in the surrounding areas. The state government has expressed confidence that the project will contribute to the overall educational advancement of the Kumaon division.
Officials from the Higher Education Department stated that the government is committed to developing Uttarakhand into a knowledge and research hub, and that the new campus at Patwadangar is a key milestone in this direction. They said that detailed planning is underway for faculty recruitment and construction work, which is expected to begin early next year.
The new campus will focus on integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern scientific approaches, especially in Himalayan medicinal plants and natural resource management. Experts believe that such initiatives will help preserve indigenous knowledge while promoting innovation and sustainable development.
Our correspondent reports that the project has been welcomed by students, faculty members, and local residents, who see it as a long-awaited step towards decentralising higher education in the hill state. The addition of the new campus is expected to significantly enhance the university’s capacity to cater to the growing academic demand across Uttarakhand.
