Srinagar, Dec 30: The 21-day flagship student orientation-cum-foundation program, IRTIQA 2023, concluded on Saturday at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus.

In line with NEP-2020, the three-week freshers’ program, IRTIQA or evolution, was held to acclimatise the newly joined undergraduate students with the varsity and orient them towards their future goals and purpose of life. This year’s theme of the orientation program was ‘LEED to LIVE’ – love each other and innovate with the vision to achieve excellence. The foundation program was organised by the SKUAST-K’s Directorate of Education and Department of Student Welfare under the World Bank-ICAR funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) for the institutional development of the varsity. 

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who was the chief guest at the valedictory function, highlighted the importance of co-curricular activities in the overall development of students as a professional and an individual. He highlighted the participation of different civil society members, persons of eminence in the Industry & academia along with alumni of the university. He also gave an insight into the sustainable model that SKUAST-K has developed to imbibe innovation and entrepreneurship among the students of SKUAST-K. 

While apprising the students and others present in the hall about the illustrious 35-year career of Prof MAA Siddiqui, who retired as Director of Education at SKUAST-K on Saturday, Prof Ganai extended his heartfelt wishes for his future endeavours and a long, fulfilling life.

Earlier Prof Siddiqui, in his welcome address, congratulated all the participants for being part of IRTIQA-23 program. He gave an overview of the three-week foundation program by giving an insight into different activities conducted during the program. He also thanked Prof Ganai, for his support in conducting the mega event, which is the first of its kind in the country under NEP-2020.

The function was attended by Directors, Registrar, Deans, Associate Deans, Student Welfare Officers, HoDs and other staff of the University along with all the students of SKUAST-K.

The officers of the University were felicitated along with all the students who participated in different activities during IRTIQA-23. The students who had secured different positions in the competitions held during the foundation program were also felicitated by the Vice Chancellor. 

Registrar, SKUAST-K, Prof Tariq H Masoodi, proposed the formal vote of thanks.

Dean, Students Welfare, SKUAST-K, Prof Rafiq A Shahardar, gave an insight into the activities carried out during the foundation program.

 

 

To globalise agricultural education in Jammu and Kashmir, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Saturday sent 10 undergraduate students for an overseas exposure visit to UCSI University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai flagged off the students, who embarked on a four-week international fellowship sponsored under the World Bank-ICAR funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) for the institutional development of the varsity.

This is the seventh batch of SKUAST-K students being sent to overseas training under the project. The aim is to improve the capacity of the students and expose them to international learning ecosystems.

Students will spend four weeks at UCSI University, a reputed university in Malaysia with a 100% employability rate,  to get trained in modern agricultural concepts like digital tools, AI&ML, IoT, Python etc.

The vice chancellor congratulated the students for being selected for this opportunity and stressed upon them to act as ambassadors of the university and J&K. He also stressed using this opportunity to build linkages and explore opportunities for higher education in leading institutions and increase the footfall of university alumni across the globe. 

He hoped that this training would lead to improved skill and capacity of students to undertake advanced careers in agricultural sciences. He also elaborated on the importance of such exposure visits for bringing up these students as next-gen leaders.   

The present batch of students comprises three boys and seven girls belonging to both Kashmir and Jammu divisions.  

Under its internationalisation of education endeavour, previously more than 80 students in six batches under IDP-NAHEP of SKUAST-K have completed their exposure visits to reputed institutions in Australia, the USA, Thailand, and Malaysia etc.

OSD to VC, Prof Azmat Alam Khan, and Dean Faculty of Forestry, Prof SA Gangoo, international coordinator, Prof Parvaze Sofi, and SKUAST-K officers and faculty members were also present at the send-off ceremony.