Governor N.N. Vohra inaugurated the three day “12th JK Science Congress” at the General Zorawar Singh Auditorium of the University of Jammu here today. The University is hosting this event in collaboration with J&K State Science, Technology and Innovation Council. Around 800 senior faculty members, research scholars and postgraduate students from various Research Institutes, Universities and Colleges from various States are participating in the Congress which has the theme: "Science and Technology: Emerging Trends and Innovations".In his address the Governor, who is Chancellor of the University, welcomed the participants and observed that the annual Science Congress is a very important occasion for the University and the entire scientific community in the State. Such important events create an environment which contributes in promoting the scientific temper in the educational institutions and across the society at large.
Noting that J&K State has the privilege of hosting 9 State and Central Universities, NIT, IIM, IIT, SKIMS, IIIM, Medical and Engineering Colleges and other institutions of learning, Governor stressed that the total corpus of intellectual and scientific resources available within such a large number of institutions of education must be effectively and productively utilised and exploited to hasten the growth and development of the State. For attaining this objective every University must have wide ranging research programmes ensuring that besides pure research, the projects also focus on the major problems faced in the State and optimal utilisation of natural resources. This would require inter institutional linkages both within and beyond the State. Governor also pointed to the need for quality research in the field of Humanities for precipitating balanced human development and societal well being.Governor emphasised the importance of focused research being undertaken to augment food grains production by evolving practical strategies to increase crop production and productivity. In this context he pointed to the lessons to be learnt from the Key Note Address delivered by Prof. Akhilesh Tyagi, JC Bose National Fellow, University of Delhi and former Director, National Institute of Genome Research.
If India is to meet international competition and be among the Knowledge Economies, Governor observed that the teaching community shall need to undertake much more research work on identified issues and challenges. He suggested the usefulness of a state wide campaign being launched for research programmes being undertaken and their outcomes to be reviewed at successive annual Science Congresses.Governor exhorted the scientific community to meet often and work on a well laid out strategy to resolve problems faced by the local populations. The Governor hoped that at the end of its deliberations, this Congress shall come out with certain practical recommendations on how to deal with existing and emerging challenges. He wished the participants profitable discussions.Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari, Minister for Education, J&K; Prof. R. D. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. Desh Bandhu, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu, addressed the Congress. Prof Geeta Sumbali, Dean of the Life Sciences, Organizing Secretary presented the Welcome Address and Prof D. S Jamwal, Dean Mathematical Sciences, co-oganizing secretary presented a Vote of Thanks. Among dignitaries present were, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Andrabi, Minister of State for Haj and Auqaf, Vice- Chancellors of various participating Universities, scientists, academicians and students.