Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 24

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) had the potential to evolve into a globally competitive institution driven by innovation, research, and entrepreneurship, as the university unveiled a series of institutional reforms and ambitious expansion plans.

Chairing the university’s 36th Council meeting at Raj Bhavan, Sinha said SKUAST-K’s progress in academics, research, technology transfer, and international collaboration positioned it to become a leading agricultural university with global engagement.

He directed the university administration to convene Council meetings at least twice a year to ensure regular review of academic and administrative matters.

The Council approved several reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, including upgrading the Agricultural Research Information System into a Directorate of Information Technology, converting the Internal Quality Assurance Cell into a Directorate of Quality Assurance, and establishing an International Students Cell to enhance overseas academic engagement.

The university also outlined three flagship projects as part of its long-term development strategy.

These include establishing a Centre for Agri Innovation, Analytics and Certification as a national reference laboratory, creating an Agri-Startup Park capable of supporting more than 50 startup enterprises, and setting up a Global Veterinary School designed to meet international standards in veterinary education, research, and advanced clinical services.

The proposals reflect growing efforts by higher educational institutions in India to strengthen innovation ecosystems, commercialise research, and attract international students as part of broader reforms in agricultural education.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and senior officials from the Union Territory administration, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and NITI Aayog attended the meeting.

Presenting the university’s annual report, Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai said SKUAST-K had transformed from a regionally focused institution into a nationally recognised university with ambitions to compete globally in agricultural and allied sciences.

He said the university had improved its national rankings, developed the largest startup ecosystem among higher educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, and secured 123 intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.

Nearly 30% of students enrolled at the university now come from outside Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting its expanding national profile and growing academic reputation, Ganai said.