CM Omar Abdullah inaugurates 20th Foundation Day of IUST, Awantipora
AWANTIPORA, NOV 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the 20th Foundation Day celebrations of the Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST), Awantipora, reiterating his Government’s commitment to strengthen the higher education, skilling, and research ecosystem across Jammu and Kashmir to enable youth to lead the region towards a progressive and knowledge-driven future.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister extended warm felicitations to the University for achieving the milestone, praising IUST’s remarkable progress over two decades. “Great things often come from humble beginnings. The growth I see here today—in infrastructure, academic environment and the quality of students—reflects that IUST has evolved into a beacon of learning and innovation,” he said.
Reflecting on the transformation in the education landscape, Omar Abdullah highlighted the significance of the new education policy and its flexibility for students. “The ability to design your own degree and blend practical knowledge with classroom learning is a gift your generation enjoys. In our time, education meant repeating what was in the books, without knowing if it would ever be useful. Today’s system encourages creative and critical thinking,” he observed.
The Chief Minister, who earlier inaugurated the University’s Tech Expo, lauded the students’ ingenuity and problem-solving spirit. “The innovative projects I saw today give me confidence that our future will be brighter than our present. From robotic fruit-picking systems to automatic snow shovels designed for narrow lanes—these ideas address real challenges and demonstrate the evolving mindset of our youth,” he remarked.
Underscoring the importance of research and patents emerging from the University, the Chief Minister noted, “In the field of education, 20 years is infancy. Yet, for a young institution like IUST to have produced over 70 patents speaks volumes about its academic vibrancy and innovative spirit.”
He assured full government support to the University’s ongoing expansion and infrastructure development. “It is our responsibility to ensure that IUST gets all necessary facilities and resources to continue its growth trajectory. Whatever we can do to support this institution, we will,” he pledged.
