Jammu and Kashmir: IUST holds its maiden Convocation

At the occasion the Lt. Governor conferred degree to 7029 students who completed their PhD, post graduate and undergraduate courses from around 20 schools of the IUST.

The degrees were conferred to the different batches of students who were enrolled in the university since 2006.

During the proceedings, the Chairman University Grants Commission (UGC), Prof D P Singh, who was the chief guest awarded gold medals to 163 students who graduated from the IUST from 2009 to 2019.

In his address, Prof. D P Singh stated that Convocation was not merely a formal day to receive the degrees but it marks the beginning of entirely different world view.

He also congratulated the IUST administration for holding the Convocation and said the University in its last 15 years has given a special impetus to research and innovations besides showing significant improvement in academic and infrastructure up-gradation.

“IUST has established a strong reputation for excellence and focus on modern market-oriented education by forging linkages with many institutions of international repute,” UGC Chairman said, and appreciated the University administration for increasing the number of courses offered to the students.

“Since the establishment, the number of programs has increased 10 times which is appreciable. Also, the faculty has increased more than 10 times from 21 in 2005 to 231 in 2020,” he said.

He further stated that the global education system aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

He said the universities in the contemporary period have a greater responsibility not only to provide quality education and space for innovation but also to sensitize its students to be responsible global citizens.

“The current circumstances in the world have made us realize that education and science need not to be limited within geographical boundaries. Our government and all related educational bodies are working persistently to overcome the issues and concerns in our existing education system,” UGC Chairman said, adding that the UGC has taken several initiatives for promoting quality education and research in the Indian higher education institutions.

Speaking about the recently approved New Education Policy (NEP)-2020, the UGC Chairman said the policy proposes an India-centric education system with a vision to develop global citizens.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor (VC) IUST, Prof Mushtaq Ahmad Siddiqi while presenting his report said the Convocation has brought all the stakeholders and well wishers of the IUST together making it an opportune time to showcase how the university has grown over the last one and a half decade.

He also briefed about achievements of the University and said the varsity started the first batch of 186 students in July 2006 while the current strength was over 3500 students.

“More than 7000 students have graduated so far. Out of them some are present here today. My personal apologies to those pass out students who are not here with us because of cvoid19 restrictions,” he said.

Member Parliament, Dr Farooq Abdullah; Mayor, SMC, Junaid Mattu; Vice Chancellors of various Universities; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole; Former Vice Chancellors of IUST; Members of Executive and Academic Councils of the IUST; senior functionaries of the University, Deans of Schools, Heads and Coordinators of Departments, faculty members, and other Universities staff, students of the University and their parents attended the Convocation.