Universities need to focus on developing innovation cells for generating jobs: CUK VC

Srinagar: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah Tuesday said, the universities need to focus on developing innovation cells that would help generate employment opportunities and would ensure a better future for generations to come.
Accord to a statement issued from the Publication Relations Office of the University the Vice Chancellor while inaugurating the two-day National Conference cum Workshop on “Innovations and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development” jointly organised by the CUK in collaboration with SK University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST-K) said “We should not only live for ourselves, but also for future generations to come and that sustainable development would be critical in this context in times to come.”.
Commissioner/Secretary to Govt., Science & Technology Department Saurabh Bhagat, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof. Nilofar Khan, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-(K) Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie, Registrar CUK and Convener IESD-2022, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Deans of Schools of CUK, KU and SKUAST, heads and coordinators, faculty members, senior administrative officials, research scholars and students of the varsity were present on the occasion.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Farooq A Shah, highlighted how the NEP-2020 stressed on multidisciplinary and experiential learning along with promoting an entrepreneurial and innovative culture in academics. He stated that business proposals should be developed and encouraged by universities so that start-up culture is fostered. University of Kashmir, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nilofar Khan, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, appreciated the joint effort of the universities in developing and fostering an environment that sustains innovation and entrepreneurship. She stated that KU has also recently conducted numerous events that have promoted the start-up culture in many youths. She said the Jammu and Kashmir administration has been continuously supporting the initiatives of the University of Kashmir for promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Prof. Nazir A Ganaie, highlighted how an innovative and entrepreneurial approach by youth would help Jammu and Kashmir to catch the next wave of agricultural revolution. He stressed how young students and scholars would have to be at the forefront in this change. Prof. Ganaie stated that we need to take a quantum jump to bring in educational tourism in the J&K that would immensely assist in sustaining its economic growth.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Science and Technology Department, Mr. Saurabh Bhagat, who was the guest of honour hailed the role of universities like CUK, SKUAST and KU in developing a start-up environment and culture in Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed on the importance of linking education with job creation and also emphasized the role that Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and Home Ministry has taken in promoting the start-up culture across the country. He stated that the administration would provide every kind of financial assistance like seed money and patent filing charges for all types of start-ups taken by the youth of the universities along with assistance in providing training for faculty outside the Jammu and Kashmir in generating start-ups.
Addressing the gathering, Registrar CUK and Convener-IESD-2022, Prof. M. Afzal Zargar, said that our nation ought to focus more on entrepreneurship and innovation for achieving sustainable growth as suggested by the parameters of the United Nations. Prof. Zargar suggested that the mind-set of the youth should shift from job seekers to job creators and added that the generation of an entrepreneurial climate was essential for achieving sustainable growth for the future. “The youth ought to think differently in the current era to create a new age where enormous opportunities would lay waiting for the next generation.” He acknowledged the role of Mr. Sourabh Bhagat and JKSTI in promoting an entrepreneurial environment in the J&K and for assisting in sanctioning two projects by the government to Central University of Kashmir as part of the innovative and entrepreneurial approach that the varsity has fostered over the years.
Assistant Professor and Co-convener-IESD-2022 Dr. Ibraq Khursheed, proposed the vote of thanks and said that during the two days, scholars of different fields will be delivering talks during the technical sessions on the aforementioned themes apart from deliberations by young researchers and students to share their research/ innovations/success stories/contributions. The dignitaries also released a souvenir on the occasion. Ms Aimen, from the Botany department conducted the programme proceedings.