Kashmir Universities Cut Ties with US Non-Profit; Mentorship Programmes Put on Hold

In a development highlighting the growing scrutiny around international academic collaborations, three leading institutions in Jammu and Kashmir have withdrawn from partnerships with a US-based non-profit, prompting the organisation to suspend its activities temporarily.

The Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF), which has been working with students in the region through mentorship programmes and academic initiatives, announced that it has paused all operations. “KCF has temporarily suspended all activities, including mentorship, expert sessions, and social wellness programmes,” the organisation said in a statement, adding that it will resume work once it secures the required approvals from relevant authorities.

The move follows the termination of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) by three prominent universities: the University of Kashmir, the Islamic University of Science and Technology, and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. These partnerships were aimed at fostering collaboration in emerging technology fields and providing students with access to global expertise.

Officials from the University of Kashmir and IUST stated that a review by “competent authorities” concluded that continuing the MoUs was not in the “larger institutional interest.” SKUAST, however, has not publicly specified the reasons behind its decision.

The Kashmir Care Foundation, run by members of the Kashmiri diaspora in the United States, has been actively engaged in connecting students in the Valley with international mentors, hosting webinars, and facilitating knowledge exchange programmes. Its sudden suspension has raised questions about the future of similar cross-border academic collaborations in the region.

KCF president Altaf Lal expressed surprise at the developments, stating that the organisation had not been given a clear explanation for the cancellations. “I am as unaware about the development as anyone else,” he said, noting that responses have been submitted to the concerned universities and authorities.

The situation also briefly affected KCF’s digital presence, with its website going offline shortly after the MoU cancellations. It has since returned with a limited interface displaying the suspension notice.

For students, the impact is immediate. The pause in mentorship sessions and expert interactions removes a key channel of exposure to global academic and professional networks—an opportunity that had been particularly valuable in a region with limited international engagement.

This episode reflects a broader trend in global education, where international partnerships are increasingly subject to regulatory review and geopolitical considerations. As universities navigate compliance and institutional priorities, organisations like KCF find themselves at the intersection of education, policy, and diplomacy.

Whether these collaborations will resume remains uncertain, but the development underscores a shifting landscape—one where access to global knowledge networks is becoming as much a matter of governance as it is of education.