Jammu, January 16 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said the imperative for universities to establish new benchmarks in innovation and research, stating that regular curriculum revisions to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge information technologies are now essential.
Addressing the University Council of the University of Jammu at Lok Bhavan, the Lieutenant Governor declared, “It is time for universities to step up and lead innovation, build skills, and solve society’s toughest challenges.”
According to the Kashmir News Service (KNS), Sinha issued a series of directives aimed at transforming higher education. He instructed the University of Jammu to forge collaborations with financial institutions to enhance student employability and to conduct a rigorous impact assessment of its existing skill development courses.
He called for dedicated measures to promote studies in local cultural heritage, languages, and arts, and specifically highlighted the need to revive the Guru Nanak Dev Chair of Sufi Studies.
Stressing a proactive role for academic institutions, the Lieutenant Governor stated that universities must develop advanced early warning systems for natural disasters and provide tangible solutions to local challenges. He asserted that institutions cannot operate in isolation and must align their research capabilities to address societal needs directly.
In a related directive, he mandated the establishment of Animal Welfare Clubs across all universities.
“This is the era of Universities 2.0. They must look beyond degrees and transform campuses into epicentres of creative solutions and social transformation. They should become powerhouses of ideas and talent, ready to solve real-world problems,” Sinha said.
The Council meeting reviewed the progress of the Gandhi Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies and the expansion of IT-enabled services. To ensure administrative efficiency, the Lieutenant Governor directed the streamlining of the e-office system, full implementation of IT-enabled services, and the timely completion of all ongoing infrastructure projects.
He also advocated for increased youth participation in the Yuva Connect programme and their active engagement in the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign and other national awareness initiatives.
Further discussions focused on streamlining direct recruitment processes for various posts, the effective implementation of a robust university sports policy, and enhancing the overall quality of teaching, learning, and research.
The meeting was attended by Education Minister Sakina Itoo, officials from the School Education, Higher Education, and Social Welfare departments, alongside other senior education officials. (KNS)
