SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday presided over the 11th Convocation Ceremony of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, urging a shift from traditional rote learning to modern, skill-based education to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised the need for curriculum reform, reducing load while developing adaptable skills for future employment. “Even if a single student is unemployed or not setting up an enterprise, it indicates that the institution and teachers have not fulfilled their responsibility,” he said.
Sinha called on students to explore new paths, innovate, and contribute to national prosperity, stressing that India’s goal of development by 2047 depends on a knowledge-driven economy. He proposed five key solutions for keeping pace with technological change: integrating artificial intelligence into teaching and operations, adopting skill-focused learning, building strong industry partnerships, prioritising experiential learning, and focusing on innovation, research, and social service.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the role of educators in analysing the impact of advancements in science, humanities, and technology, and urged classroom methodologies to evolve to drive economic and social progress.
Sinha lauded Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University for its contributions to education and public welfare, and congratulated women students for their outstanding academic achievements. He also entrusted the university with conducting research to address local challenges, including early-warning systems for cloudbursts, landslides, and floods, and promoting sustainable infrastructure through recycling and reuse of construction materials.
He directed the redesign of Dogri and Vedic studies courses to make them more contemporary and engaging, and called for a comprehensive strategy to complete the ongoing indoor stadium project.
The Lieutenant Governor also praised the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board’s relief and rehabilitation work for natural calamity-affected families, its support for Sanskrit and Vedic education, and its procurement of Rs 22 crore worth of products from local Self-Help Groups to support livelihoods. He announced the construction of the Shankaracharya Temple, five other temples, and an International Museum of the Goddess in Katra, noting that heli-services between Katra and Shiv Khori would soon be operational.
During the convocation, Sinha inaugurated the ‘High-End Computing AI and Deep Learning Lab’ and the ‘Accommodation for Married Scholars’. A total of 821 degrees were awarded, including 228 Masters, 26 Doctorates, and 567 Undergraduate degrees. Medals were conferred on 25 students, while 10 received the Infosys Foundation Prize for Excellence and 11 were awarded Certificates of Distinction.
The ceremony was attended by university officials, vice-chancellors, faculty, students, senior government officials, and members of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, including Prof TG Sitharam, Ashok Bhan, Gunjan Rana, and Sachin Kumar Vaishya.
Prof Pragati Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, presented the annual university report during the event.
