SRINAGAR, JUNE 05: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated key infrastructure projects at SKUAST Kashmir, including the Shalimar Convention Centre, Kohimaran Hostel, and Discovery Building. He launched new academic programs aimed at securing the future of the 70% population dependent on agriculture and allied sectors.
The Discovery Building, equipped with facilities for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, aims to develop sustainable agriculture technologies to improve farmers’ income. The Lt Governor praised SKUAST Kashmir for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, noting the addition of new undergraduate and master’s programs to build skilled human resources for the agro-based industry and agri-tourism.
In the past four years, SKUAST-K has earned 25 patents and established 26 startups, with 17 registered as Pvt. Ltd. companies. In collaboration with IIT Mandi, SKUAST-K will offer a B.Tech course in Artificial Intelligence starting this year.
Lt Governor Sinha highlighted the integration of modern technologies like drones, AI, and blockchain to empower youth in the agriculture and food processing sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. He commended the university’s role in the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and its alignment with the National Education Policy-2020.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmed Ganai, along with faculty and students, attended the event where the Lt Governor also planted a tree sapling.
