Newz Desk, Durgapur: A parliamentary committee has recommended that the University Grants Commission (UGC) reconsider granting formal recognition to the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), an innovative educational institution founded by engineer-turned-educationist Sonam Wangchuk.
The Departmentally Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, chaired by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, placed the recommendation in its latest report on autonomous bodies under the Higher Education Department. The committee highlighted HIAL’s “exemplary” implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its strong alignment with local culture, climate, and community needs.
During its study visit to Ladakh, the panel said it was “deeply impressed” by HIAL’s model of experiential learning, research-driven problem-solving, and entrepreneurship training designed around the Himalayan region’s socio-ecological landscape. It noted that the institute’s approach—especially its focus on community engagement, Indian Knowledge Systems, and project-based pedagogy—sets a benchmark for NEP-aligned educational reforms.
However, the committee expressed concern that the proposal for HIAL’s recognition has been pending with the UGC “for many years,” despite the institute’s significant contributions. The panel underlined that HIAL has achieved “tremendous impact” through initiatives such as the globally acclaimed ice stupa project and various grassroots innovation programmes.
Calling HIAL a potential model for education in challenging geographies, the committee urged both the UGC and the Higher Education Department to closely study its practices and explore ways to replicate similar approaches elsewhere, possibly through specially designated Centres of Innovation in Education.
The recommendation comes months after Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act following protests in Ladakh demanding Sixth Schedule protections and tribal status. Despite the controversy, the committee’s observations focus exclusively on the institute’s academic merit and community-centred innovation.
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