"We have created massive infrastructure in 5 years and now young professionals must focus on development strategies to change J&K's fortunes," Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday.
He said the massive investment in the last 5-6 years in human capital, Research & Development, Incubation Centres and University's infrastructure will drive J&K's economic growth.
The Lieutenant Governor was addressing the Valedictory session of Foundation Day Celebrations of Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST). On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated the IUST Innovation Campus, and a new Administration Block at IUST main Campus, Awantipora.
He highlighted the transformation of IUST since 2021 and significant milestones achieved by the University in enrolment, startups incubation, sustainability, research and innovation.
Academic programmes increased from 41 to 90 between 2021 and 2025, offering interdisciplinary and cutting-edge courses like AI, Robotics, Design Your Own Degree, Space Technology, Data Sciences, Apprenticeship based UG level Skill courses. Applications in multiple disciplines are up from 3,000 in 2021 to 7,600 in 2025, with increased diversity from across J&K and beyond, the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said that before 2021, external funding of IUST for research was merely Rs. 2 crore annually. In 4 years, more than Rs. 69 crore external funding was achieved for research.
From a zero start-up in 2021, the University has grown to incubate 93 start-ups in the last four years, hosted over 225 incubatees, and nurtured award-winning innovations in renewable energy, healthcare, and IT. 32 patents granted, 77 patents have been published, 33 more filed; additionally, two faculty ranked among top Indian scientists in their field. It is a matter of pride for IUST, he further said.
Sinha directed the IUST for research innovation in developing low-cost energy resilient houses.
He also asked the University to look into the ways for effective reuse of road and building construction material and promotion of cold-mix technology for more durable roads. IUST must also provide innovative solutions for communication technology to reach remote regions without relying on traditional signal towers, he said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that terrorism was the biggest enemy of the youth of Jammu Kashmir for more than three decades and it destroyed their dreams and aspirations. Now our youth and young professionals are fulfilling their dreams and achieving their aspirations.
However, our neighboring country and some of their terrorist elements sitting here are trying to disrupt this progress. We must be vigilant against such ecosystem and work together to foil their efforts. Jammu Kashmir has created its new destiny, a new identity and woven new dreams. This must be protected at all cost and those trying to shatter the dreams of our youth must be strictly dealt with," he said.
Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department; Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST; Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS; Prof. A. H. Moon, Dean Academic Affairs; Prof. Abdul Wahid, Registrar, IUST; senior officials, Heads of Departments, faculty members and students were present.