Kargil, Apr 17 : In an effort to widen academic horizons and career awareness among students, the Department of Geography at the University of Ladakh on Thursday hosted a special lecture on emerging opportunities in Earth Sciences, delivered by noted geographer Vibhash Chandra Jha.
The session, held at the Kargil campus, drew participation from students and faculty across several disciplines, reflecting a growing interest in interdisciplinary learning. Departments represented included Geography, Geology, Disaster Management, Political Science, Physics, Anthropology and Environmental Sciences.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Jha, former Vice-Chancellor of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University and a senior academic associated with Visva-Bharati University, outlined a wide spectrum of career pathways available within Earth Sciences. He pointed to opportunities in cartography, geophysics, spatial technologies and natural resource management, while also underlining the sector’s relevance to strategic services, including defence.
He stressed that the future of Earth Sciences lies in the integration of technology with traditional disciplines, urging students to adopt an interdisciplinary approach. According to him, advancements in spatial data analysis and environmental monitoring are reshaping professional roles and creating new demands in both public and private sectors.
The lecture was coordinated by Jigmat Norboo, who noted the importance of such interactions in exposing students to real-world applications of their studies. The event also featured an interactive segment, where students engaged the speaker with questions on academic progression and employment trends.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Shivangi Bahadur from the Department of Anthropology, who acknowledged the contribution of Prof. Jha and the support extended by university leadership, including Saket Kushwaha and Mehboob Ali.
Faculty members from the Department of Geography, including Wani Suhail Ahmad and Hilal Ahmad Sheikh, were also credited for organising the event, which participants described as both informative and forward-looking in its scope.
