SRINAGAR, JUNE 05: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said SKUAST Kashmir is poised to emerge as a ‘Top Innovation Led Farm University’ in the country.
“SKUAST Kashmir is poised to emerge as a ‘Top Innovation Led Farm University’ in the country to transform subsistence and low enumerative agriculture into a technology-driven agri-economy,” the Lt Governor said.
The University has earned 25 Patents in the past 4 years and established 26 startups, out of which 17 are registered as Pvt. Ltd. Companies. In collaboration with IIT Mandi, SKUAST-K is also starting a B.Tech Artificial Intelligence course this year, he observed.
He was speaking after inaugurating key infrastructure projects and launching new academic programs of SKUAST Kashmir.
The projects inaugurated by the Lt Governor included the Shalimar Convention Centre, Kohimaran Hostel, and Discovery Building.
In his address, the Lt Governor reiterated the commitment of the UT Administration to secure the future of 70% population dependent on agriculture and allied sectors.
He said the Discovery Building will provide facilities for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to students and is crucial to achieving the vision of developing sustainable agriculture technologies to improve farmers’ income.
The Lt Governor commended SKUAST Kashmir for adding “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” to its academic programs and creating an ecosystem of Innovations. He said the new academic UG and masters programs launched today will build a skilled-trained human resource for agro-based industry and agri-tourism in the future.
The Lt Governor highlighted the significant contribution of the farming community and all the stakeholders associated with agriculture and allied sectors in nation-building.
Today, all the facilities and technologies like drones, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things, and blockchain, are being made available to empower our youth to realize the potential of the agriculture and food processing sector in Jammu Kashmir, he said.
The Lt Governor also applauded the Vice Chancellor, faculty members, and students of SKUAST-K in the implementation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). He sought their cooperation in further strengthening the ecosystem of agro-based industries and increasing the income of farmers.
The Lt Governor also unveiled the SKUAST-K’s working model of National Education Policy-2020 and planted a tree sapling on the University premises.
Prof. Nazir Ahmed Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir; HoDs, senior officials, faculty members, and students were present on the occasion.
