Skill development key to economic growth: Kashmir University VC

Skill development of youth would not only help address the problem of unemployment but also enable a better economic growth, Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir, Prof. Talat Ahmad said during an online workshop titled, ‘Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Opportunities For Youth of J&K’.

“Developing skills of youth in various areas through technical and vocational education is one of the keys to improve their employability, apart from boosting the economic growth in a significant way.” the Vice-Chancellor said.

“There is a worldwide focus on skill development to enable young and promising individuals to meet the newer demands of the changing job market. It is therefore very important to raise awareness about the importance of skill development and this workshop is a right step in that direction,” he added.

He asserted that it is a determined resolve of the University of Kashmir to constantly hold and facilitate skill development programmes for the youth of Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to secure their future.

The day-long workshop was organised by the varsity’s Department of Bioresources in collaboration with J&K Skill Development Department and Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI).

Dr Asgar Samoon, Principal Secretary, J&K Department of Skill Development, was the chief guest on the occasion, while KU Registrar, Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir was present as the Guest of Honour.

Both Dr Samoon and Dr Mir asserted that their institutions were seriously focusing on skill development of J&K youth to help them become “aatmanirbhar” (self-reliant) in line with the Indian government’s policy and vision of making the country an important part of the global economy.

In his welcome address, Coordinator Department of Bioresources, Dr Manzoor A. Mir said that the workshop aims to impart awareness among students about the employment and entrepreneurship avenues around, and also to develop coordination between various skill development agencies and the University of Kashmir.

Irtif Mehraj Lone from Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Business Modeling, JKEDI; and Farooq Amin, Secretary General, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry shared their experiences on innovations and entrepreneurship scenario and the possibilities thereof.

“JKEDI will shortly sign a MOU with the KU’s Department of Bioresources on collaborative training of students to help them start small business ventures,” Lone said.

Prof G.H Mir, Director of KU’s Directorate of Lifelong Learning (DLL) said young people from J&K have the potential to contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the nation given their enthusiasm for innovation and creativity.

Dr Abdul Haseeb Shah presented a vote of thanks at the workshop, which was attended by over 700 research scholars, students and entrepreneurs from various institutions across the country, including KU, Central University of Kashmir, SKUAST (K), IUST Awantipora, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Cluster University, SKIMS Srinagar, GMC Srinagar, BGSBU Rajouri, NIT Srinagar, ICSSR New Delhi.