L-G Sinha calls on J&K youth to focus on development-oriented strategies

“We have created massive infrastructure in five years, and now young professionals must focus on development strategies to change J&K’s fortunes,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday.

Sinha was addressing the valedictory session of the Foundation Day celebrations of the Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST). On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated the IUST Innovation Campus and a new Administration Block at the IUST main campus in Awantipora.

He said that the massive investment made over the last five to six years in human capital, research and development, incubation centres, and university infrastructure would drive Jammu and Kashmir’s economic growth. He also highlighted the transformation of IUST since 2021 and the significant milestones achieved by the university in enrolment, startup incubation, sustainability, research, and innovation.

“Academic programmes have increased from 41 to 90 between 2021 and 2025, offering interdisciplinary and cutting-edge courses such as AI, robotics, design-your-own-degree, space technology, data sciences, and apprenticeship-based undergraduate skill courses. Applications in multiple disciplines have grown from 3,000 in 2021 to 7,600 in 2025, with greater diversity from across J&K and beyond,” the L-G said.

He added that before 2021, the external funding for research at IUST was barely Rs 2 crore annually. “In the last four years, more than Rs 69 crore in external research funding has been secured. From ‘zero’ startups in 2021, the university has grown to incubate 93 startups, host over 225 incubatees, and nurture award-winning innovations in renewable energy, healthcare, and IT. Thirty-two patents have been granted, 77 published, and 33 more filed. Additionally, two faculty members have been ranked among the top Indian scientists in their fields. It is a matter of pride for IUST,” he said.

The L-G directed IUST to focus research and innovation on developing low-cost, energy-resilient housing and to design innovative communication technologies that can connect remote regions without relying on traditional signal towers.

On the occasion, L-G Sinha remarked that terrorism had been the biggest enemy of J&K’s youth for more than three decades, destroying their dreams and aspirations. “Now, our youth and young professionals are fulfilling their dreams and achieving their goals,” he said.

Without naming Pakistan, the L-G added, “However, our neighbouring country and some of their terrorist elements here are trying to disrupt this progress. We must remain vigilant against such an ecosystem and work together to foil their efforts. J&K has created a new destiny, a new identity, and woven new dreams. This must be protected at all costs, and those trying to shatter the dreams of our youth must be dealt with strictly.”

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 AH Moon, Dean Academic Affairs; Prof Abdul Wahid, Registrar, IUST; along with senior officials, heads of departments, faculty members, and students, were present on the occasion.