SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for sustained investment in higher education infrastructure, academic autonomy and faculty strength, while urging young graduates to explore entrepreneurship and emerging economic opportunities rather than relying exclusively on government jobs.
Addressing the first-ever convocation of Cluster University of Jammu at Abhinav Theatre, the Chief Minister said the institution represented a significant educational experiment aimed at bringing together the region’s established academic institutions and modernising higher education.
Governor of Tamil Nadu Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar attended the convocation as the chief guest, while Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chancellor of the University, presided over the function.
Higher Education Minister Shamim Firdous, Member of Parliament from Jammu Jugal Kishore Sharma, Jammu West MLA Arvind Gupta and Vice-Chancellor of Cluster University of Jammu Professor K.S. Chandrasekhar were also present.
Congratulating the graduating students and gold medallists, Omar described them as pioneers whose achievements would lay the foundation for future generations. He also acknowledged the contribution and sacrifices of their parents, families and teachers in shaping their academic journeys.
Highlighting the university’s institutional model, the Chief Minister said it was conceived as a collegiate federation bringing together five established institutions: GGM Science College, MAM College, SPMR College of Commerce, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, and Government College of Education.
He said pooling academic resources, faculty, libraries and laboratories, while promoting multidisciplinary learning, had helped establish a collaborative model of higher education.
Referring to the university’s placement in the 151–200 band of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), he termed it an encouraging achievement but stressed the need for further improvements.
He called for sustained investment in common infrastructure, digital connectivity, modern laboratories and hostel facilities, particularly to support students from far-flung areas such as Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and Kishtwar.
Emphasising the importance of academic discipline, Omar said universities must ensure timely academic calendars and examination cycles so that no student loses an academic year while waiting for examinations or the award of a degree.
“My government is committed to providing our universities with the necessary institutional support, academic autonomy, faculty strength and infrastructure to enable them to become genuine centres of knowledge, innovation and regional problem-solving,” he said.
Addressing the graduates, he said rapid technological changes, particularly the emergence of artificial intelligence, had transformed the employment landscape, making continuous learning, critical thinking, sound judgement and empathy increasingly important.
He urged young people to move beyond conventional career choices and explore entrepreneurship, observing that government employment alone could not accommodate every graduate.
“Sustainable prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir will come when our youth move beyond being exclusively job seekers and become value creators, innovators and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Identifying agribusiness and food processing, sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, renewable energy, disaster resilience and the digital economy as sectors offering significant opportunities, the Chief Minister called upon graduates to use their academic knowledge to establish enterprises and generate employment.
He said agricultural products such as basmati rice, Bhaderwah rajmash, saffron, walnuts, kaladi and citrus fruits offered considerable potential for value addition, branding and access to wider markets.
Graduates could also explore opportunities in heritage and eco-tourism, digital media, renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure and technology-enabled services, he added.
Omar said his government was committed to supporting young entrepreneurs by strengthening the start-up ecosystem, simplifying clearances and improving access to credit.
Emphasising character-building and social responsibility, he urged graduates to remain lifelong learners, respect the dignity of labour, uphold integrity, stay connected with their communities and prioritise their mental and physical well-being.
He also asked them to carry Jammu and Kashmir’s pluralistic cultural ethos and heritage wherever their professional journeys took them and contribute their skills, experience and ideas to the development of their home region.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the university’s first graduating batches would make meaningful contributions to society and help shape Jammu and Kashmir’s future.
Later, Omar Abdullah and other dignitaries presented medals and certificates to the graduating students.
