“Jammu and Kashmir has created its new destiny, a new identity, and woven new dreams. This must be protected at all cost, and those trying to shatter the dreams of our youth must be strictly dealt with,” said J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Terrorism was the “biggest enemy of the youth of J&K” for more than three decades, and it destroyed their dreams and aspirations, Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday (November 12, 2025).
He was speaking at the valedictory session of the foundation day celebrations of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) at Awantipora.
“Terrorism was the biggest enemy of the youth of J&K. Now, our youth and young professionals are fulfilling their dreams and achieving their aspirations. However, our neighbouring country and some of their terrorist elements sitting here are trying to disrupt this progress,” Mr. Sinha said.
These remarks came after the role of three doctors from Kashmir came under the scanner for “terror links” in the recent past. Remain “vigilant against such ecosystems, and work together to foil their efforts”, the L-G said.
“Jammu and Kashmir has created its new destiny, a new identity, and woven new dreams. This must be protected at all cost, and those trying to shatter the dreams of our youth must be strictly dealt with,” Mr. Sinha said.
The massive investment in the last five-six years in human capital, research and development, incubation centres, and the university’s infrastructure, would drive J&K’s economic growth, Mr. Sinha said of the varsity’s contribution. “Academic programmes increased from 41 to 90 between 2021 and 2025, offering interdisciplinary and cutting-edge courses like AI, robotics, ‘design your own degree’, space technology, data sciences, and apprenticeship based UG (undergraduate)-level skill courses,” the L-G said.
Applications in multiple disciplines were up from 3,000 in 2021 to 7,600 in 2025, with increased diversity from across J&K and beyond. “Before 2021, external funding of IUST for research was merely ₹2 crore annually. In four years, more than ₹69 crore external funding was achieved for research,” Mr. Sinha said.
The university had also grown to incubate 93 start-ups in the past four years, hosted over 225 incubatees, and nurtured award-winning innovations in renewable energy, healthcare, and Information Technology, Mr. Sinha said.
“32 patents granted, 77 patents have been published, 33 more filed; additionally, two faculty have been ranked among top Indian scientists in their field. It is a matter of pride for IUST,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor directed the IUST to pursue research innovation in developing low-cost energy resilient houses. He also asked the university to look into the ways for effective reuse of road and building construction material, and promotion of cold-mix technology for more durable roads. “IUST must also provide innovative solutions for communication technology to reach remote regions without relying on traditional signal towers,” Mr. Sinha said.
Published – November 12, 2025 09:56 pm IST
