Srinagar, July 18: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha presided over a comprehensive review-cum-consultation meeting today at Raj Bhawan.
The discussion revolved around Cyber Security, capacity building of knowledge-based industries, and reforms in the School Education sector.
In attendance were officers from Industries & Commerce, Department of Information Technology, and domain experts. The key focus was on the latest technological advancements, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security, and the introduction of academic courses on Artificial Intelligence, Coding, and Big Data.
During the meeting, the Lt Governor highlighted the upcoming New IT Towers that are meticulously designed to bolster the Information Technology industry in J&K. These towers are set to generate more employment opportunities and spur tech growth in the region. Additionally, the Lt Governor emphasized the importance of content creation and sharing with students to increase awareness about IT jobs and opportunities for startups, with the vision to make J&K the hub of Information and Communication Technology.
The School Education sector also received considerable attention during the meeting. The Lt Governor stressed the need for systematic identification and bridging of gaps in terms of infrastructure and skill development to match global standards. He further advocated for enhanced learning outcomes, leveraging technology, and focusing on Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Intelligence Quotient (IQ) to make education a joyful experience.
To achieve quality education, the Lt Governor urged collaboration among the School Education department, school management, education planners, and domain experts. The aim is to bring J&K's schools at par with the best educational institutions in the country, with well-equipped laboratories and faculties.
As part of the reform initiatives, the Lt Governor directed the introduction of pilot programs in selected schools across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions. He also proposed the creation of a database of alumni from prestigious institutes like IIT and IIM, who could mentor and guide students from different schools.
The meeting witnessed active participation from various officials, including Sh Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary School Education Department; Sh Pankaj Chandra, Vice Chancellor, Ahmedabad University; Sh Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Sh Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner/Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Ms Prerna Puri, Commissioner Secretary, IT Department; Sh Sanjay Gaden, J&K IT Consultant, and Sh Vish Narayanan, IIT BHU Alumni & Startup Investor. Their valuable inputs and suggestions contributed to the formulation of strategies in their respective sectors.
