Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed the Valedictory Session of the Foundation Day Celebrations of the Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST), Awantipora.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said, “We have created massive infrastructure in the last five years, and now young professionals must focus on development strategies to change J&K’s fortunes.”
He added that massive investments made in the past 5–6 years in human capital, research and development, incubation centres, and university infrastructure will drive J&K’s economic growth.
Highlighting the remarkable transformation of IUST over the last four years, the Lieutenant Governor lauded the university’s achievements in enrolment, research, innovation, and startup incubation.
“Academic programmes have increased from 41 to 90 between 2021 and 2025, offering interdisciplinary and cutting-edge courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Design Your Own Degree, Space Technology, Data Sciences, and apprenticeship-based UG-level skill courses,” he said.
Applications in multiple disciplines, the LG noted, have risen from 3,000 in 2021 to 7,600 in 2025, reflecting growing diversity from across Jammu and Kashmir and beyond.
He further informed that before 2021, external research funding at IUST stood at just Rs. 2 crore annually, while in the past four years, the university has achieved over Rs. 69 crore in external research funding.
“From a ‘zero’ start-up in 2021, IUST 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 information technology,” the LG said.
He added that 32 patents have been granted, 77 patents published, and 33 more filed during this period. Two faculty members of IUST have also been ranked among the top Indian scientists in their respective fields — a matter of great pride for the institution, he remarked.
The Lieutenant Governor directed IUST to focus research on developing low-cost, energy-resilient housing, and to explore reuse of road and building construction material. He also called for promotion of cold-mix technology for building durable roads and for developing innovative communication solutions to serve remote regions without relying on traditional signal towers.
Emphasizing the importance of protecting peace and progress, the Lieutenant Governor said, “Terrorism was the biggest enemy of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir for more than three decades and destroyed their dreams and aspirations. Today, our youth are fulfilling those dreams and achieving their goals.”
He cautioned that some elements, both within and outside the country, continue to try to disrupt this progress. “We must remain vigilant against such an ecosystem and work together to foil their designs.
Jammu and Kashmir 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,” the LG asserted.
The event was attended by Shri 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, faculty members, and students.(KINS)
