Innovate to benefit society, empower marginalised communities: LG Sinha

Awantipora, Nov 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday called for harnessing the power of innovation to benefit society and empower marginalised communities.

Attending the Foundation Day of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, LG Sinha in his address called upon the youth to explore cutting-edge, transformative technologies and harness the power of innovation to benefit society, empower marginalised communities, and promote inclusive and equitable growth for a brighter future.

The LG, who is the Chancellor of IUST, reiterated the commitment of the university to bring about perceptible change in society with its innovative and equitable practices.

“I aim to redefine learning and make our higher educational institutions and youth future-ready. In IUST, we have introduced diverse programmes to amalgamate science, technology, and humanities in a way where all the disciplines work together for the holistic growth of the students,” he said.

LG Sinha highlighted that the innovative initiatives of IUST were in sync with the New Education Policy- 2020 vision to make higher education institutions future-ready by providing multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary education.

He said that the IUST’s efforts in the field of innovation, startups, and entrepreneurship were being lauded across the country and it had achieved the prestigious 4-star ranking by the Union Ministry of Education.

The LG impressed the teaching community and educational institutions to nurture and promote creativity, innovation, new technology, and entrepreneurship with a focus on capacity building, skill development, and lifelong learning to empower the youth and make them key partners in the nation’s socio-economic development.

He underscored the importance of a skill census, which would help in identifying areas for improvement and creating better employment opportunities.

LG Sinha extended his felicitations to the Vice Chancellor, faculty members, and students on the occasion.

He congratulated the university for emerging as an important centre of learning, particularly for skilful human resources in STEM fields.

On the occasion, the LG inaugurated the Tech Expo-2024 at IUST and distributed financial assistance under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.

He also felicitated teachers and meritorious students and released several publications including Design Your Degree Programme (DYDP), Concept Progress and Institutionalisation, and J&K and Ladakh Research Consortium Bylaws.

Vice Chancellor IUST, Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo presented the university report and highlighted the achievements of the varsity.

A series of programmes like Academic-Industry Conclave, Tech-Exhibition, Lit-Fest, and other activities, dedicated to youth empowerment, were organised as a part of the Foundation Day celebrations.

Vice Chancellor Cluster University Srinagar (CUS), Prof Muhammad Mobin; Director SKIMS, Prof Muhammad Ashraf Ganie and Registrar IUST, Prof Abdul Wahid Makhdoomi were also present on the occasion.