Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha presided over a comprehensive review-cum-consultation meeting on Sunday at Raj Bhawan.
The meeting focused on crucial aspects such as cyber security, capacity building of knowledge-based industries, and reforms in the school education sector. Officers from the Industries & Commerce and Department of Information Technology, along with domain experts, participated in the deliberations, which centeredaround the latest technological advancements.
During the meeting, discussions revolved around establishing a Center of Excellence for cyber security and introducing academic courses on Artificial Intelligence, coding, big data, and other relevant subjects.
Lt Governor Sinha highlighted the significance of meticulously designed IT Towers that are set to emerge in Jammu and Kashmir, expressing optimism about the creation of more job opportunities and technological growth. He emphasized the importance of content creation and sharing with students to acquaint them with the latest skills, as well as fostering awareness about IT jobs and startup opportunities. These efforts, he stated, would position Jammu and Kashmir as a hub for Information and Communication Technology.
In addition, the Lt Governor addressed the need for systematic identification and bridging of gaps in the school education sector, specifically in terms of infrastructure and skill development, aiming to achieve global standards. He stressed the importance of improving learning outcomes through the use of technology and focusing on both Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Intelligence Quotient (IQ) to make education a joyful activity.
“The school education department, school management, and education planners, along with domain experts, should work collaboratively to provide quality education. Our primary objective is to match the best schools in the country by ensuring well-equipped laboratories and competent faculties,” Lt Governor Sinha remarked.
As part of the pilot phase, the Lt Governor directed the school education department to implement reforms in selected schools across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions. He also proposed the creation of a database of alumni from prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The alumni would subsequently mentor and guide students from different schools.
The meeting witnessed the participation of several key officials, including Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary of the School Education Department; Pankaj Chandra, Vice Chancellor of Ahmedabad University; Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner/Secretary of the Industries and Commerce Department; PrernaPuri, Commissioner Secretary of the IT Department; Sanjay Gaden, J&K IT Consultant; and Vish Narayanan, IIT BHU Alumni &Startup investor. Each attendee provided valuable inputs for formulating strategies in their respective sectors.
