Srinagar, Feb 7: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) Friday inaugurated a 21-day Orientation-cum-Advanced Leadership Development Programme aimed at enhancing the academic aptitude, leadership skills, and governance capabilities of its scientific staff. Designed to foster holistic professional growth, the programme equips participants with advanced pedagogical techniques, research proficiency, and leadership acumen, addressing the evolving demands of academia and research in the 21st century.
To facilitate this professional and leadership development, SKUAST-K has invited distinguished experts from industry, academia, administration, and NGOs to engage in insightful deliberations. These experts will explore key topics such as decision-making, conflict resolution, sustainability, and institutional governance through interactive sessions, case studies, hands-on workshops and thought-provoking discussions.
The inaugural session was graced by Prof. N. A. Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, alongside deans, directors, and senior scientists of the university. Prof. S. H. Baba, Head of the Institute of Business and Policy Research (IBPR), delivered the welcome address, emphasising the programme’s role in shaping faculty members into well-rounded educators, researchers, and leaders. He urged participants to engage actively, leverage expert-led sessions, and apply innovative approaches in their academic and administrative responsibilities.
Prof. S. A. Wani, Dean of the Faculty of Horticulture, commended IBPR for its well-structured programme that integrates pedagogical innovation, advanced research methodologies, and leadership training. In his keynote address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. N. A. Ganai highlighted that higher education is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by innovations in pedagogy, digital learning, and the growing startup ecosystem. He urged faculty members to adopt a mindset of lifelong learning, foster adaptability, and embrace interdisciplinary collaboration to stay ahead of emerging trends. He reiterated that a well-trained faculty is the foundation of a successful academic institution, playing a pivotal role not only in teaching and research but also in driving institutional excellence. Prof. Ganai encouraged participants to fully immerse themselves in the programme, refine their skills, expand their professional networks, and contribute meaningfully to academia. He also commended the IBPR team for spearheading this initiative to invest in the professional growth of SKUAST-K’s scientific faculty and cultivate future leaders. The session was coordinated by Dr. Abid Sultan and Dr. O. F. Khan, with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Prof. F. A. Shaheen. The event proceedings were moderated by Fatimah Noor and Ateeba Farooq, students of B.Sc. (Economics and Data Science) at IBPR.
