Leh, May 20 : In a move aimed at strengthening data-driven research and evidence-based policy formulation in Ladakh, the Directorate of Census Operations for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Ladakh to establish dedicated Census Data Workstations at the university’s Leh and Kargil campuses.
The development was discussed during a meeting held on May 18 between Kargil Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar and Vice Chancellor of the University of Ladakh Saket Kushwaha at the university’s Leh campus.
According to officials, the collaboration is intended to promote academic engagement, facilitate advanced research using census data, and assist government institutions in policy planning and administrative decision-making across the Union Territory.
During the interaction, Vice Chancellor Prof. Kushwaha informed the Deputy Commissioner that the Census Data Workstation being established at the university’s Kargil campus would remain accessible to the district administration for research activities and policy formulation exercises.
The Vice Chancellor also emphasised the role of institutional collaboration in enhancing the use of scientific and demographic data for governance, development planning, and academic research in Ladakh.
Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar commended the University of Ladakh for taking proactive steps to secure the agreement with the Directorate of Census Operations and for facilitating the establishment of academic and administrative research infrastructure at both campuses.
Officials said the initiative is expected to strengthen coordination between academic institutions and government departments while creating opportunities for scholars, researchers, and administrators to utilise authentic census-based data for developmental studies and public policy interventions in the region.
