Srinagar, Dec 28 (KNS): The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) has entered the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for the first time and won a National Water Award in 2025, marking a year of significant academic and institutional growth.
According to details, IUST made its debut in the NIRF Rankings 2025, securing a position in the 51–100 band among State Public Universities and in the 151–200 band in both the University and Engineering categories.
The university expanded its academic portfolio to 91 programmes and introduced new undergraduate and postgraduate courses in emerging disciplines. Student admissions increased by nearly 70 per cent over the past two years, while placement outcomes improved to 75 per cent. Extramural research funding rose to around ?69 crore, and the institutional H-index increased to 71.
IUST was conferred the 6th National Water Award in the Best Institution category, presented by the President of India at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The award recognised the university’s work in water conservation, groundwater recharge, wastewater reuse, biodiversity conservation and community outreach in climate-vulnerable mountainous regions.
In research achievements, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo was included for the sixth consecutive year in Stanford University’s Top 2 per cent Global Scientists list and received the J.C. Bose Fellowship in 2025.
Five other faculty members from the university also featured in the list. Dr I.M. Bhat received the Gold Medal from the Geological Society of India, while Prof. Shakeel Ahmed was appointed Visiting Research Professor by The World Academy of Sciences.
The university’s innovation ecosystem expanded, with its patent portfolio reaching 78 and over 225 incubatees supported through innovation laboratories and a Section-8 incubation foundation. IUST retained a 4-Star rating from the Ministry of Education’s Institutions’ Innovation Council.
A new Innovation Campus (Campus-III) was inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Facilities including the Innovation Technology Business Incubator and the iFactory under the Centre for Industry 4.0 were inaugurated by the Union Minister of Science and Technology.
IUST students won the Smart India Hackathon 2025, secured medals in national inter-university winter sports events, and undergraduate student Arkah Hussain received the Obada Prize at the global level.
The university also received a licence from the Ministry of Communications to establish a Community Radio Station, inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. During the year, IUST signed over 50 MoUs with national and international institutions and industry partners and organised more than 50 academic events, including workshops and conferences.(KNS)
