Ganderbal, Sep 7: The Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) on Monday launched its LEAD Lecture Series with the first Luminary Lecture on “Geopolitics and International Relations”, delivered by Lt General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, Governor of Bihar and Chancellor of CUKashmir, at the Tulmulla Campus.
Addressing students and faculty, Lt Gen Hasnain appreciated the university’s academic progress and its initiatives to promote intellectual engagement. He said CUKashmir had brought greater vibrancy to Ganderbal and was contributing to the region’s economic and social development.
Highlighting Ganderbal’s strategic importance, Lt Gen Hasnain said the district occupies a crucial position in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly as an important axis towards Ladakh. He recalled the strategic significance of the Srinagar-Leh route during the Kargil conflict and noted that the Zojila Tunnel would further strengthen connectivity.
He urged students to become “scholar warriors” by developing multidisciplinary knowledge and intellectual curiosity. Beyond their core subjects, he encouraged them to study political science, history, geography and economics to better understand the rapidly changing world.
“In today’s world, knowledge is everything,” he said, stressing that education must go beyond conventional classroom learning.
Lt Gen Hasnain emphasised the importance of dialogue, debate and respect for differing viewpoints. He encouraged students to question established assumptions, examine evidence and remain open to correcting their own views.
He said the ability to engage constructively with differences and arrive at compromise was essential for resolving conflicts and building a harmonious society.
Reflecting on Jammu and Kashmir’s changing environment, he said the return of peace had created new opportunities for the youth to reclaim lost time and realise their potential. He urged students to develop skills, pursue positive ideas and make effective use of available opportunities.
Calling for greater academic attention to disaster management, Lt Gen Hasnain said Jammu and Kashmir remained vulnerable to earthquakes, floods, climate-related hazards, glacier-related risks and debris flows.
Referring to recent disasters in the Himalayan region, he stressed that universities must contribute through research, awareness and community preparedness. He suggested that disaster management should be developed as a sustained academic and research area.
Speaking about India’s growing global influence, Lt Gen Hasnain highlighted the importance of geo-economics alongside geopolitics. He said India’s diversity and its ability to function cohesively were among the country’s major strengths.
He also encouraged greater academic exchange, welcoming students from different parts of the country to CUKashmir and urging Kashmiri students to explore educational opportunities beyond the region.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath said the university was privileged to host Lt Gen Hasnain and described his presence as a source of inspiration.
He said CUKashmir was expanding its academic and infrastructural footprint and aimed to develop a campus among the best in the country. The university currently has 21 departments and nine schools, with four additional departments and two more schools proposed for the next academic year.
He said more than seven new programmes had been introduced during the past three years across general, professional, technical, vocational and emerging disciplines.
Prof. Nath also highlighted the university’s growing diversity, noting that students from several States account for nearly 20 per cent of enrolment, while faculty members represent different parts of the country.
He said curricula were being redesigned in line with NEP 2020, incorporating the Indian Knowledge System, design thinking, innovation and Sustainable Development Goals. Plans are also underway for specialised centres focusing on geopolitics and international relations, public policy and economics, and comparative religion and social sciences.
Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, Dean International Affairs and member of the LEAD Lecture Series committee, said the initiative seeks to develop life-coping skills, professionalism and ethical practices while encouraging innovation and knowledge creation.
Aligned with UGC benchmarks, NAAC criteria and NEP 2020, the programme comprises Luminary, Expert and Distinguished Lecture Series. The Luminary series will feature transformational lectures by leaders and visionaries, while the Expert series will connect students with academics, researchers and industry leaders. The Distinguished series will focus on advanced discussions on research, policy and global trends.
Earlier, Lt Gen Hasnain inaugurated the newly established Central Workshop of the Department of Civil Engineering at the Tulmulla Campus.
The state-of-the-art facility brings specialised trade shops under one roof and provides 58 training stations per batch. According to Dr Asif Hussain Shah, Coordinator of the Central Workshop, the facility includes modern facilities for carpentry, welding, woodworking and pattern making, machining, fitting and bench work, sheet-metal work, engineering testing, and electrical and electronics training.
Lt Gen Hasnain complimented the Vice-Chancellor, faculty and administration for establishing the facility, describing it as an impressive addition to the university. He underscored its importance for civil engineering education in a region exposed to diverse weather and climatic conditions.
Dean Academic Affairs, and Organising Committee Chairman, Prof. Shahid RasoolAffairs Prof Shahid Rasool, Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir, deans, heads and coordinators of departments, senior administrative functionaries, faculty members, research scholars and students.