Omar Abdullah Inaugurates 20th Foundation Day of IUST, Awantipora — Emphasizes Research, Skilling & Higher Education as Pillars of Knowledge-Driven J&K
AWANTIPORA: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the 20th Foundation Day celebrations of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, reaffirming his government’s commitment to strengthen higher education, research, and skill development to build a knowledge-driven Jammu and Kashmir.
Extending warm felicitations to the University, the Chief Minister commended IUST’s remarkable journey over the past two decades. “Great things often come from humble beginnings. The growth witnessed here today—in infrastructure, academics, and innovation—reflects that IUST has truly emerged as a beacon of learning and progress,” he said.
Highlighting the changing education landscape under the new education policy, Omar Abdullah underscored the value of flexibility and practical learning. “Students today have the freedom to design their degrees and integrate hands-on knowledge. In our time, education was limited to memorizing textbooks without real-world relevance. Today’s system nurtures creativity and critical thinking,” he observed.
Earlier, inaugurating the University’s Tech Expo, the Chief Minister praised the students’ innovation and problem-solving abilities. “The projects I saw today—from robotic fruit-picking systems to automatic snow shovels—reflect the ingenuity of our youth. They are finding solutions to local problems with a global perspective,” he noted.
Acknowledging IUST’s growing research profile, he lauded its achievement of over 70 patents within just two decades. “For a young university, this is extraordinary. It speaks volumes about its academic vibrancy and innovative spirit,” he added.
Assuring full government support to IUST’s expansion and infrastructure projects, Omar Abdullah said, “We will ensure that the University gets every necessary facility to continue its growth. Our support to this institution will be unwavering.”
Referring to the region’s growing educational ecosystem, the Chief Minister said, “With AIIMS Awantipora nearing completion, this area is evolving into a hub of education and healthcare. IUST’s development will be integral to this transformation.”
He also endorsed IUST’s proposals for developing sports infrastructure and affiliating colleges from South Kashmir. He directed the expeditious transfer of land for sports projects and encouraged the University to make such facilities accessible to the local community. “Publicly funded institutions must serve the public interest,” he remarked.
On the matter of affiliations, he said, “It’s time we accept that Kashmir is no longer a single-university region. IUST has the capacity to affiliate colleges in South Kashmir. Change often meets resistance, but progress demands adaptation.”
Reaffirming his continued support, Omar Abdullah said, “I will always remain connected with IUST’s journey. Twenty years is an important milestone, but I am confident the next twenty will bring even greater success.”
During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated the University’s Community Radio Station and Veshav Girls Hostel, released the Annual Report, and witnessed the signing of six MoUs with leading institutions and industries. He also felicitated students who brought laurels to Jammu and Kashmir in national-level sports events.
The event was attended by Minister for Agriculture Javid Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs Ghulam Mohiddin Mir, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, Rafiq Ahmed Naik, and Waheed Para, Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakeel Romshoo, faculty members, and students.
