• University’s national ranking jumps from 37th to 3rd;
• Undergraduate programmes expand from four to 15, enrolment crosses 5,900
• Draft Media and Communication Policy released at Meet the Press;
• VC highlights 146-plus patents, 126 startups and expansion of rural outreach
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar|Nov, 11: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has set its sights on global recognition by 2030, with Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai on Wednesday outlining an ambitious roadmap centred on academic expansion, research-led innovation, entrepreneurship and rural development.
Interacting with representatives of the print, electronic and digital media at a Meet the Press programme at the university’s Shalimar campus, Prof. Ganai presented the institution’s transformation over the past several years, highlighting improvements in national rankings, academic infrastructure, research output and engagement with farming communities.
One of the significant achievements highlighted by the Vice-Chancellor was the university’s rise from 37th position to third among State Agricultural Universities between 2019 and 2025.
The academic expansion has been equally substantial, with undergraduate programmes increasing from four to 15 and student enrolment rising from 2,100 to more than 5,900. Applications from international students have also increased from 200 in 2024 to 450 in 2026, reflecting the university’s expanding academic reach.
On the research front, Prof. Ganai said SKUAST-K had secured more than 146 patents over the past four years, claiming the highest number among State Agricultural Universities. The university has also secured the first rank in innovation among SAUs and universities in Jammu and Kashmir.
More than 20 Centres of Excellence, over 126 student and faculty startups and 62 product launches have been established or facilitated, reflecting efforts to translate academic research into practical technologies and commercial ventures.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university’s focus was not confined to laboratories and classrooms but extended to strengthening agricultural activities at the grassroots level.
He highlighted the establishment of more than 2,000 Kisan KhidmatGhars at district and panchayat levels, besides the Student Rural Entrepreneurship Programme, which has engaged over 4,000 students and adopted more than 350 villages for a period of ten years.
Referring to major agricultural development initiatives, Prof. Ganai said the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), with an outlay of Rs 5,013 crore, and the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP), involving initiatives worth over Rs 1,800 crore, were aimed at strengthening the agricultural economy.
Together, the initiatives envisage upskilling 2.5 lakh people and facilitating the establishment of more than 18,000 agri-entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir over five years.
Presenting Vision 2030, the Vice-Chancellor said the university was working towards transitioning from regional excellence to global recognition through quality agricultural education, research and innovation, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and inclusive rural development.
Nasir Ahmad Dar, Coordinator, Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance (DIQA), presided over the proceedings.
