Universities engines of innovation: Sakeena Itoo

Jammu, Mar 12: Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo Thursday emarked that the Government is committed to strengthen higher education sector in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that our vision is to position J&K as a hub of quality higher education and research excellence.
The Minister made these remarks while chairing a high level meeting to assess academic performance, research initiatives and institutional development of all Universities of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu Prof. Umesh Rai; Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir Prof. Nilofer Khan; Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Prof. Pragati Kumar; Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology Prof. Shakeel Ahmad Ramshoo; Vice Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Prof. Jawaid Iqbal; Vice Chancellor, Cluster University Jammu Dr. K.S. Chandreshekar; Vice Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar Prof. Mohammad Mobin; Dean Research Jammu University, Registrars and senior officials of the Higher Education department.
During the meeting, the Minister undertook a comprehensive review of academic functioning, research output, faculty development programmes, infrastructure expansion and student-focused initiatives being implemented across universities in J&K.
Speaking in the meeting, Minister Sakeena emphasized that universities must go beyond their traditional role as degree-awarding institutions.
“Universities are engines of innovation, centres of knowledge creation and pillars of societal transformation. They must evolve into vibrant ecosystems where ideas flourish, research thrives and young minds are empowered to shape the future,” she stated.
Highlighting the need to nurture a strong research culture in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister urged Vice Chancellors to identify priority research areas aligned with the region’s specific needs. She stressed that need is to focus on sustainable development, climate resilience, agricultural innovation, tourism studies, technology integration and social science research relevant to the unique socio-economic landscape of J&K.
She called for greater interdisciplinary collaboration, stronger industry partnerships and better utilization of research funding to enhance outcomes and improve global academic visibility.
The Minister also reviewed ongoing research projects, patent filings and publication records, encouraging universities to actively promote incubation centres, start-up ecosystems and technology transfer mechanisms that can translate ideas into real-world impact.
Reiterating on promoting research based curriculum, Minister Sakeena emphasized on curriculum modernization, quality assurance and adoption of outcome-based education frameworks. She also stressed on strengthening digital learning infrastructure, expanding skill-based programmes and ensuring continuous faculty training to keep pace with technological and academic advancements.
She also urged the University Administrators to place special attention on improving student support systems, promoting inclusive education and enhancing access to higher education for students from remote and underserved areas.
The Minister further reviewed infrastructure development projects, campus expansion plans, hostel facilities and smart classroom initiatives. She stressed the importance of transparent governance, efficient administration and optimal resource utilization to enhance institutional performance.
Calling for measurable progress, she directed universities to establish structured monitoring mechanisms to track research and innovation outcomes.
“Our goal is to position Jammu and Kashmir as a hub of quality higher education and research excellence. By empowering our universities, the Government is investing in the intellectual capital that will drive sustainable growth and social progress,” the Minister stated.
She assured continued Government support for research funding, infrastructure modernization and capacity-building initiatives aimed at elevating J&K’s universities to national and international standards.
During the meeting, Registrars presented institutional progress reports and outlined future academic and research roadmaps, reflecting a shared commitment to transforming the higher education landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.