Srinagar: Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir Prof Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi on Tuesday said the cause of specially-abled persons is very dear to the University and efforts are on to address their concerns on priority.
Addressing a seminar ‘Science and Technology for Specially-Abled Persons’ to mark the National Science Day, Prof Andrabi said: “The cause of specially-abled persons is very dear to us and we, in our own little capacity, have started taking certain initiatives in this direction, including designing and establishment of specially-abled friendly buildings in campuses of the University.”
Prof Andrabi said: “I believe it is through these efforts we can make future generations more sensitive about the needs of the specially-abled people.”
The seminar was organized by University’s Department of Students Welfare (DSW).
Highlighting the contribution of science and technology in lives of common people, the V-C said: “The inputs of science and modern technological advances and latest gadgets can make things easier for specially-abled people after careful designing and application.”
In his address, Director of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Dr AG Ahangar said ability or disability of a person should not stop him from achieving his dreams. He referred to some famous scientists, doctors and sports-persons who, despite certain limitations, made huge contributions in various fields of life.
“We should learn from the life of celebrated contemporary scientist Stephen Hawking who, despite suffering from motor-neuron disease, brought a paradigm shift in the field of Astrophysics,” he said.
Ahangar also talked about of advancement of technology for specially-abled people in health-care settings.
KU’s Dean of Colleges Prof Neelofar Khan said: “Besides having a vision document for specially-abled people, there is also a need to have a faculty-wise enrolment data of specially-abled students so that policies could be framed for them accordingly.”
Dean Students Welfare, Prof Fayaz Ahmad, said the aim of the program is to make people aware of different schemes available for specially-abled people so that they avail the benefits.
