JK Governor for using IT to enhance frontiers of knowledge

Srinagar, September 06 (Scoop News) – N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, today said that organizing Information Technology Festivals contributes very significantly towards enhancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge and emphasized the need for promoting e-learning to enable the students to benefit from the lectures of national and international level experts in different disciplines while sitting in their classrooms, through latest scientific advancements.

The Governor, as Chief Guest, was addressing the Valedictory Session of the 3-day “Vastoorvan Tech Fete 2012” at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) at Awantipora this evening. This national level Information Technology Festival was named after the ambience of a beautiful almond forest called “Vastoorvan” which adjoins the University Campus.

Referring to the “Vastoorvan Tech Fete 2012”, the Governor observed that it is a very imaginative idea which would go a long way in not only broadening the knowledge base of the students but also promote deeper understandings and cooperation among the various Universities and other institutions of higher learning within and outside the State. He referred to the meetings which he had had with the Vice Chancellors of the various Universities in the State in the past three years with a view to fostering well considered and imaginatively structured mutually beneficial collaborations in the arenas of teaching, learning and research. He expressed happiness that this concept had since materialized between several Universities which had entered into collaborative arrangements in various arenas.

The Governor recalled his earlier two visits to the IUST, adding that for the first time he had come to this University in 2008, during the Governor’s Rule, when it was in the process of being established. His second visit was along with the Chief Minster in 2010 to inaugurate an academic block for which the funds had been provided during the Governor’s Rule. Expressing happiness over the achievements of the IUST in different fields, within a rather short span of time, the Governor observed that this varsity was bound to come up as a centre of excellence in the coming years, through the hard work and commitment of the management, teachers and students. He wished the students a very bright future ahead.

The Governor congratulated the students for singing a beautiful University Tarana and announced a cash award of Rs. 50,000 for them. He suggested to the Vice Chancellor of the University to get a video version of the Tarana prepared.

The Governor gave away 1st prize to the team of Central University of Kashmir, 2nd prize to the South Campus of Kashmir University and 3rd prize to the Jammu University for their overall outstanding performance in the various events organized during this Festival. He also gave away mementos to the sponsors and co-sponsors of the various events on this occasion.

Prof. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, presented a memento to the Governor as a memorabilia of his visit to the University.

Prof. Abdul Wahid, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, emphasized upon the students to focus on 3 Cs – Competence, Commitment, and Conduct and Character – to build a promising and bright future. He congratulated the University for organizing the IT Festival.

Prof. Rajat Gupta, Director, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, dwelt on the collaboration the NIT and IUST have built up. He assured all possible support to the students of this University.

Prof. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, speaking on the occasion, gave details of the achievements of the University in academic and other spheres, the courses taught and those in the pipeline. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the promotion of quality higher education in the State, as also in the development of the IUST.

Dr. Javed Parvaiz, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Sciences, Kashmir University, spoke about the aims and objects of organizing this IT Festival. He said that students from various Universities and institutions of higher and technical learning from within and outside the State participated in the Festival.

Earlier, Prof. A. G. Rather, Registrar, IUST, in his welcome address, gave details of the participants and the subjects covered during the technical sessions of the Festival.

Dr. Muneja Khan, Head, Department of English, Islamic University of Science and Technology, presented a Vote of Thanks.

Deans, Heads of Departments, Faculty members, staff, students and the participants of the Festival were present on this occasion.