Awantipora, November 12: Shri Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor J&K and Chancellor IUST inaugurated Innovation Campus (Campus III) and the new Administrative Block at Campus I, today as part of IUST’s 20th Foundation Week celebrations.
In his congratulatory message, the Chancellor IUST, Shri Manoj Sinha, applauded the University’s remarkable progress in all spheres of education and urged educational institutions to strive toward global standards of academic excellence. He emphasized the importance of integrating technological advancements, like AI, robotics, space technologies etc. into higher education to drive economic growth of the country. The Chancellor appreciated IUST’s ongoing transformation and expressed confidence that the University will continue to achieve greater heights at the global level. On behalf of the people of J&K, the Chancellor conveyed heartfelt sympathies with the victims and their families affected by the recent terror attack in New Delhi.
Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor IUST, in his address, spoke about the University’s implementation of NEP2020, rapid academic expansion including emerging disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Sciences, Disaster Risk Reduction, Philosophy, Electrical Vehicles technology, Geo-space technologies, Cyber Security, and Environmental Sustainability. He said that IUST has evolved as a knowledge hub focusing on research and innovation and skilling s, contributing to the accomplishment of ViksitBharat@2047 vision. He further emphasized the University’s strong outreach framework that connects research and innovation to societal needs and highlighted the institution’s mental health counselling structures for student well-being. Prof. Romshoo congratulated all stakeholders, including faculty, staff and others for their contribution to the growth and development of IUST.
Shri Shantmanu (IAS) Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education who was the Guest of Honour on this occasion, commended IUST for being among the few universities in the country that have effectively utilized national schemes to advance innovation and academia. He congratulated the University for the newly inaugurated infrastructure projects. Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour, also congratulated the IUST fraternity and lauded the leadership of Prof. Romshoo in steering the University toward academic and research excellence.
Welcoming the guests, Prof. Abdul Wahid Makhdoomi, Registrar IUST, announced the inauguration of the new facilities and highlighted the University’s focus on strengthening academics, research, and innovation through enhanced infrastructure and collaborative initiatives.
As part of the celebration, Best Teacher, Best Department, were conferred by the Chancellor. Prof. Parvez A. Mir received the Best Teacher Award, the Department of Food Technology was recognized as the Best Department, and the Department of Mathematical Sciences was awarded best department in the school of sciences while Dr. Darakhsha Majid from Department of Food Technology received the Best Startup Enabler Award for promoting entrepreneurship on campus. The Hackathon winners were also felicitated, with NIT securing the first position and IUST teams bagging the second and third positions. The Best Start-up Awards were presented to several successful start-ups incubated by IUST.
The event also witnessed the release of the CIED Annual Report and the signing of several MoUs aimed at strengthening industrial collaboration and promoting innovation-led partnerships. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. A.H. Moon, Dean Academic Affairs, who acknowledged the contribution all stakeholders including former chancellors, former Vice-chancellors, former Registrars, former Dean Academic Affairs, former Controller of examinations, non-teaching staff, technical staff and all other stakeholders who have contributed to the growth and development of IUST during the last 20 years (Press Release).
