CUK’s IDA holds international symposium on research, publications, innovation

Ganderbal, Nov 6: The International Affairs Division (IDA) of the Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), in collaboration with Lincoln University College, Malaysia, organised a two-day international symposium on “Perspectives of Research, Publications, and Innovations in Global Context” at the Tulmulla campus on Wednesday.

The event was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, with Prof. V. Venkata Ramana, Professor at the University of Hyderabad, as keynote speaker. Among other dignitaries were Prof. Sandeep Poddar, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at Lincoln University College, Malaysia, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, Dean International Affairs, Prof. Abid Hamid Dar, Dean School of Life Sciences, faculty members, scholars, and university officials.

Introducing the theme, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari described the symposium as an opportunity to reflect on the ethical and social dimensions of research. “Research should not be a race for publications but a pursuit rooted in social relevance and national priorities,” she said, adding that CUKashmir has expanded its global academic outreach through faculty engagements in countries such as France, Sweden, Denmark, China, and Portugal.

In his talk, Prof. Abid Hamid Dar highlighted India’s growing innovation landscape, saying the country’s diversity and demographic strength create a vast market for entrepreneurship. “Our real asset lies in the diversity of aspirations, from villages to metros, each offering unique opportunities for enterprise,” he observed.

Keynote speaker Prof. V. Venkata Ramana urged universities to evolve into “powerhouses of innovation.” He stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and teacher mentorship, remarking, “A good teacher under a tree can inspire more innovation than an AI lab without guidance.”

Prof. Sandeep Poddar shared insights from Southeast Asia, where research and innovation have flourished through strong policy support, funding incentives, and regional cooperation. He cited examples from Indonesia and Malaysia, illustrating how academia-industry partnerships have transformed innovation into social progress.

In his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath called for aligning technology, management, and human values as pillars of sustainable growth. He announced new international collaboration initiatives, including a memorandum of understanding with Lincoln University College and plans for student immersion programmes to enhance global exposure. “Research excellence is not luck—it is vision and perseverance,” he said.

The symposium concluded with an acknowledgement of administrative support from Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir and the coordinated efforts of faculty and staff that ensured the event’s success.