KU hosts divisional level consultation on strengthening career guidance ecosystem

Srinagar, Nov 30: In order to deliberate upon the strategy and roadmap ahead for strengthening the career guidance ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, the Directorate of Lifelong Learning (DLL), University of Kashmir (KU), organised a day-long divisional-level consultation here on Saturday.
The event was organized in collaboration with Reform & Rehabilitation Foundation (J&K), NIT Srinagar, UNICEF India, JKSTIC, DST, J&K Govt and Divisional Administration Kashmir.
During the day-long consultations the speakers and experts discussed the possibilities about how existing career guidance tools can be expanded to reach more students, identify available resources and explore new ideas to improve career development.
Registrar KU, Prof. Naseer Iqbal while underscoring the crucial role of career counseling in taking informed decisions said in his presidential address “There is a decline in student enrollments in our colleges and universities and in order to motivate the students to apply for admissions we need to take proactive and innovative measures and career counseling can play a crucial role in this aspect.”
He added “We must address the root causes of this decline and involve both parents and students in the process.”
CEO Reform & Rehabilitation Foundation, Inayatullah Sheikh while briefing the participants about the district-level consultations on career guidance conducted so far said in his address “Kashmir is a skill-intensive economy and equipping students with the right skills through career guidance is essential for their future success.”
In his remarks Incharge J&K UNICEF India, Danish Aziz, highlighted the developments on career guidance ecosystem in the region so far and the need for integrated approach in the education system at various levels as envisioned in NEP-2020.
“The NEP -2020 also encourages a holistic and interdisciplinary approach in our education system and career guidance and counseling is an integral part of this framework,” he stated.
Director, Greenovator Incubation Foundation, NIT Srinagar, Dr. Saad Parvez emphasised the importance of such consultations and the benefits of career counseling at a young age.
“Career choices are complex and proper guidance helps young people make decisions that lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life,” he noted.
Earlier Director DLL KU, Prof. Shazia Manzoor, welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of early career counseling to guide students towards making right decisions.
The consultation featured two interactive brainstorming sessions and were attended by Chief Education Officers, District Education Planning Officers and District Cultural Coordinators from 10 districts of the Valley. The proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Extension Education Officer DLL KU, Altaf Hussain.