Rs 200 crore announced for skill development of J&K youth

Srinagar, May 26 (Scoop News) – Union Minister of State for Earth Science, Science Technology, Planning and Parliamentary Affairs,. Ashwani Kumar on Thursday said  in the age of science  technology, we need to develop our educational system  to the point where it  nurtures creativity.

The minister was addressing  the faculty and the students of the University of Kashmir on the "Role of Science and Technology in the development process and improvement of quality of life in the State of J&K"  in the main Hall of Gandhi Bhawan  . He announced  that Rs 200 crore will be spend annually  for  a period of five years  for massive Skill Development programme  for J&k youth to increase their employability.

We need to pick up students from here to premier institutions of the country and abroad for training  then so that they come back and provide leadership in  the field of science and technology, said Mr  Ashwani adding that frontiers of knowledge can only be explored  when we encourage our students to take up science as a career. Saying that today we need a cutting edge research in front areas of science and technology , translate research into  innovation  which will finally benefit aam aadmi(common man)

Briefing media persons about the initiatives taken by the Centre, he said his department will encourage university groups interested in specific research programmes to apply ‘Respond’ scheme. He said this will enable scientific groups working in the universities of Jammu and Kashmir to pursue research activities in space technology, space applications including natural resources studies as well as space sciences. The necessary support to make the proposals from the university could be made available from the department of Space, he added.

The Minister said that centre for excellence in atmospheric sciences would be established in Jammu and Kashmir for promotion of specialized training in post graduate studies in atmospheric sciences and mountain meteorology with stimulation and modeling.

He said opportunities will be provided to students interested in the research areas of Astronomy and atmospheric science and planetary science to seek short term positions in the department of space.

Mr Ashwani said that initiatives will be taken to make Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology, Kashmir a model university for mountain agriculture education and research.

He said training in key science and technology institutions in which every year 30 to 50 scientists from J and K will be trained for science and skills development for a period ranging from two months to two years, adding the support will be in the form of fellowships, institutional charges and expenses for stay in university and research support.

 The union Minister said five institutions will be identified for imparting training to college teachers to enhance their skills in bio technology. The department will be happy to provide special orientation and training programmes to the interested post graduate students of the universities in Jammu and Kashmir so that they can take advantage of these laboratories /establishments to pursue first rate research. Mr Aswani  said international fellowship wherein DBT will provide up to 10 international fellowships to scientists from J and K for oversees training in specialized areas annually will also be facilitated. He said a special provision for selecting students of universities in J and K to work at the facility set up at Leh for astronomical observations will also be made. He said ten star colleges one in each district will be supported for undertaking high quality research in life science. This will include support towards manpower, infrastructure and related costs, he added. Ashwani said improving corn multiplication technology in saffron will receive priority.

The minister said international fellowship wherein DBT will provide up to 10 international fellowships to scientists from J and K for oversees training in specialized areas annually will also be facilitated. He said a special provision for selecting students of universities in J and K to work at the facility set up at Leh for astronomical observations will also be made.

Earlier, the Minister interacted with faculty members and the students of the varsity and discussed   technological issues and the measures taken to vocationalize the education in the State.   He expressed concern over the declining trend in research activities and suggested the students to adopt research in science and technology as a mission as well as career for better future.

 Earlier Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University Dr Riyaz Punjabi,in his welcome address talked about the beneifits of science for students and made the guests aware about the various programmes launched by KU under the umbrella of science and society. Vice chancellor also  thanked the union minister for choosing KU as a venue for  his imaginative lecture which he said bewnefited our students and scholars a great deal.

The Member (Science) Planning Commission, Government of India Dr K Kasturirangan, , Information and Science and Technology, Mr M K Dwedi,  DAcadamic affairs prof AR Yousuf , Registrar Prof  S Fayaz Ahmad  other faculty members of the varsity, science students and scholars were present on the occasion.  Prof Mohammad Afzal Zargar , Head clinical bio chemistry conducted the proceedings of the event.

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