Education must drive inclusive development: LG

Jammu, Dec 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said students should be equipped to foster inclusive development.

“Classroom and our teachings must equip students to build better lives, foster inclusive development, and create a more enlightened society,” LG Sinha said in his address at the 11th convocation ceremony of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU).

He stressed that classroom methodologies must evolve to synchronise with these shifts, ensuring they drive both economic development and social progress.

The LG highlighted the responsibility of the teaching community to study and analyse the impact of rapid advancements in science, humanities, and technology on human civilisation.

He spoke about the imperative of shifting from an outdated, rote learning system to more modern and skill-based learning approaches to meet the demands of an evolving world.

“Our endeavour should be a reduction in curriculum load and the development of adaptable skills for future jobs. Even if a single student of any higher education institution is unemployed or not setting up his or her enterprise, then it clearly means that the educational institution and its teachers have not done their work honestly,” LG Sinha said.

He called upon the students to create new paths in life, give new direction to life, explore new aspects, and suggest new ways for the prosperity of the nation.

“To achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, every student, every educational institution will have to fulfil its responsibility because the future and its development will be based on the knowledge economy,” the LG said.

He gave five solutions to keep pace with technological change and the demands of the 21st-century workforces.

“Integrate artificial intelligence into teaching, learning and university operations and adopt new technological tools on a priority basis. Shift from rote learning to a lifelong, flexible and skill-focused learning model. Develop strong partnerships with industry and other institutions. The focus must be on experiential learning. Humanities students, in particular, need to understand that in a world dominated by artificial intelligence, the importance of things that machines cannot provide will increase. Focus should be on innovation, research, and social service, cutting-edge research, and to offer solutions to local problems,” LG Sinha said.

He lauded SMVDU for its distinguished contributions to India’s educational landscape and its steadfast commitment to public welfare.

The LG also extended his felicitations to the women students for their exceptional academic achievements and for setting new benchmarks of excellence.

He entrusted SMVDU to provide scientific solutions for the challenges being faced by J&K.

In light of recent devastating natural calamities, LG Sinha urged the university to prioritise research into advanced early-warning systems for cloudbursts, landslides, and floods.

He emphasised the importance of sustainable infrastructure and called for dedicated research on the recycling and reuse of road and construction materials.

The LG asked the SMVDU to redesign the courses for Dogri and Vedic studies to make these subjects more engaging and contemporary to attract more students.

He also directed for formulation of a comprehensive strategy for the swift completion of the languishing indoor stadium.

LG Sinha also highlighted the pivotal role of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) in the relief and rehabilitation of families affected by recent natural calamities.

He praised the SMVDSB’s ongoing commitment to cultural preservation through its support of institutions dedicated to Sanskrit and Vedic education.

He also inaugurated the ‘High-End Computing AI and Deep Learning Lab’ and ‘Accommodation for Married Scholars.’

During the convocation, 821 degrees were awarded, including 228 master’s, 26 doctorates, and 567 undergraduate degrees.

Medals were also conferred to 25 (seven male and 18 female) meritorious students.

A total of 10 students (four male and six female) received the Infosys Foundation Prize for Excellence, while certificates of distinction were awarded to 11 students.

Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, Prof Pragati Kumar, presented the university report on the occasion.

Former Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Prof T G Sitharam; SMVDSB members Ashok Bhan and Gunjan Rana and Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu also attended the convocation ceremony.

District Development Council (DDC) Reasi, Chairman, Saraf Singh Nag; Member of Legislative Assembly, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Baldev Raj Sharma; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti; CEO SMVDSB, Sachin Kumar Vaishya and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Reasi, Nidhi Malik were also present on the occasion.