Srinagar: To provide a platform to foster networking, collaboration and transformative change among young scientists and science professionals, the University of Kashmir (KU) in collaboration with the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Tuesday inaugurated the Regional Young Investigators’ Meet (RYIM)-2023 here.
The event is being sponsored by JK Science, Technology and Innovation Council, Jammu and Kashmir, IndiaBioscience, Bangalore and Jammu and Kashmir Bank.
The two-day meet titled ‘Igniting Curiosity and Training Young Minds of JK for Sustainable Future’ also includes a workshop on ‘Crafting Your Career (CYC)’ that aims to create a supportive and collaborative environment.
KU Vice Chancellor, Prof Nilofar Khan said that events like these provide a platform for the youth to demonstrate their talent thereby helping in identifying and finding options and opportunities to place the talented youth in appropriate industries.
“We’ll try to be connected with the DST to encash whatever is possible for the benefit of our students through collaborations and sponsorships to make them more marketable and industry-ready,” Prof Khan said while thanking the Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), & skill development Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Shri Saurabh Bhagat for his proactive support.
She said there is an enormous pool of young human resources with brilliant minds, however, they need a platform, training, awareness and opportunities.
“Besides promoting academics, research and co-curriculum, we must encourage activities to exchange ideas and knowledge to build a rich human resource for a healthy industry connect,” Prof Khan added while pitching for scholarship schemes, internships and good placements of the talented youth of KU by the DST, J&K.
Commissioner/Secretary, DST, & skill development J&K, Govt Shri Saurabh Bhagat said making students industry-ready is possible only when academia, especially the university, collaborates with the industry to build a future-ready ecosystem.
“We can sponsor students and provide them scholarships and can also build apprenticeship programmes to make students job-ready,” he reiterated.
Dean of Academic Affairs, KU, Prof Farooq A Masoodi said the robustness and strength of our progress is in science and scientific endeavours.
“Our young investigators are pivotal in promoting science and knowledge as they propel the growth of scientific technology,” he said, adding that our academic and research outputs should bring economic vibrance.
Registrar, KU, Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir said that our country has a huge young human resource (HR) base and that academicians and administrators need to harness their potential at a very young age for the development of the nation.
Referring to the idea of ‘brain-gain’ rather than ‘brain-drain’, Dr Mir said the concept helps in retaining the human resource base for the overall development and prosperity of mankind.
He underscored the need to understand the concept of YPs (young professionals) whereby talented youth are engaged in contributing to the development of the system while being a part of the same system.
He further said the curiosity and inquisitiveness in youth is phenomenal and that our future depends on tapping that at the right time.
“The university expects more funding from the government to encourage our young students and scholars that in turn will be used for upskilling their talents for nation-building,” he said.
Head of the Department of Botany, KU, Prof Zahoor A Kaloo highlighted the importance of the workshop aimed at promoting regional collaboration, resource sharing and industry partnership.
Lead Organiser, Department of Botany, North Campus, KU, Dr Bilal Ahmad Mir said that RYIMs are organised to recognize the profound importance of nurturing and supporting young minds in their pursuit of knowledge and solutions in the realm of life sciences.
Abstract books were also released in a special ceremony held during the inaugural session.
Others present on the occasion included the Dean of Academic Affairs, CUK, Prof Shahid Rasool, Registrar, CUK, Prof M Afzal Zargar, Special Secretary to KU VC, Dr Ashfaq Ahmad Zarri, Director North Campus, Prof Bashir Ahmad Ganai besides various other deans, directors, heads of various departments, scholars and students.
