Universities need to focus on developing innovation cells for generating jobs: CUK VC

Srinagar, Dec 20: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah Tuesday said, the universities need to focus on developing innovation cells that would help generate employment opportunities and would ensure a better future for generations to come.
“We should not only live for ourselves, but also for future generations to come and that sustainable development would be critical in this context in times to come,” Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah said in his presidential address, while inaugurating the two-day National Conference cum Workshop on “Innovations and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development” jointly organised by the CUK in collaboration with SK University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST-K).
Commissioner/Secretary to Govt., Science & Technology Department, Mr. Saurabh Bhagat, University of Kashmir, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nilofar Khan, SKUAST-(K) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie, CUK Registrar and Convener IESD-2022, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Deans of Schools of CUK, KU and SKUAST, heads and coordinators, faculty members, senior administrative officials, research scholars and students of the varsity were present on the occasion.
Prof. Farooq A Shah, highlighted how the NEP-2020 stressed on multidisciplinary and experiential learning along with promoting an entrepreneurial and innovative culture in academics. He stated that business proposals should be developed and encouraged by universities so that start-up culture is fostered.
University of Kashmir, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nilofar Khan, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, appreciated the joint effort of the universities in developing and fostering an environment that sustains innovation and entrepreneurship. She stated that KU has also recently conducted numerous events that have promoted the start-up culture in many youths. She said the Jammu and Kashmir administration has been continuously supporting the initiatives of the University of Kashmir for promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Prof. Nazir A Ganaie, highlighted how an innovative and entrepreneurial approach by youth would help Jammu and Kashmir to catch the next wave of agricultural revolution. He stressed how young students and scholars would have to be at the forefront in this change. Prof. Ganaie stated that we need to take a quantum jump to bring in educational tourism in the J&K that would immensely assist in sustaining its economic growth.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Science and Technology Department, Saurabh Bhagat, who was the guest of honour hailed the role of universities like CUK, SKUAST and KU in developing a start-up environment and culture in Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed on the importance of linking education with job creation and also emphasized the role that Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and Home Ministry has taken in promoting the start-up culture across the country. He stated that the administration would provide every kind of financial assistance like seed money and patent filing charges for all types of start-ups taken by the youth of the universities along with assistance in providing training for faculty outside the Jammu and Kashmir in generating start-ups.