CM Omar Abdullah Calls for Stronger University Infrastructure, Timely Exams; Urges Graduates to Become Entrepreneurs and Innovators
JAMMU, NOVEMBER 14: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for strengthening academic infrastructure, ensuring timely examinations and expanding opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir’s future prosperity would depend on transforming its educated youth from job seekers into job creators.
He was speaking at the first-ever convocation of Cluster University of Jammu, held at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu, where he described the institution as an important educational initiative aimed at bringing together established academic institutions and modernising higher education.
Governor of Tamil Nadu Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar attended the convocation as Chief Guest, while Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also Chancellor of the University, presided over the ceremony. Minister for Higher Education Shamim Firdous, Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLA Jammu West Arvind Gupta and Vice-Chancellor Professor K.S. Chandrasekhar were among the dignitaries present.
Congratulating the graduating students and gold medallists, Omar Abdullah described them as pioneers whose achievements would inspire future generations. He also acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions of parents, families and teachers in shaping the academic careers of the graduates.
Highlighting the university's distinctive institutional model, the Chief Minister said Cluster University of Jammu was conceived as a collegiate federation bringing together five established institutions—GGM Science College, MAM College, SPMR College of Commerce, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, and Government College of Education.
He said the pooling of academic resources, faculty, libraries and laboratories, coupled with an emphasis on multidisciplinary education, had created a collaborative framework for higher learning. Describing the university's placement in the 151–200 band of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) as encouraging, he stressed the need for sustained efforts to improve its academic standing.
The Chief Minister called for greater investment in shared infrastructure, digital connectivity, modern laboratories and hostel facilities, particularly to facilitate students coming from remote districts such as Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and Kishtwar.
Emphasising the importance of academic discipline, he said examinations and academic calendars must be conducted on time, asserting that no student should be compelled to lose an academic year while waiting for examinations or the award of a degree.
“My government is committed to providing our universities with the necessary institutional support, academic autonomy, faculty strength and infrastructure to enable them to become genuine centres of knowledge, innovation and regional problem-solving,” he said.
Addressing the graduating students, Omar Abdullah observed that rapid technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence, were reshaping the employment landscape and making continuous learning, critical thinking, sound judgement and empathy increasingly important.
He urged graduates to move beyond conventional career choices and explore entrepreneurship, innovation and emerging economic opportunities, noting that government employment alone could not accommodate the aspirations of every educated young person.
“Sustainable prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir will come when our youth move beyond being exclusively job seekers and become value creators, innovators and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Identifying agribusiness, food processing, sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, renewable energy, disaster resilience and the digital economy as promising sectors, the Chief Minister encouraged graduates to utilise their academic knowledge to establish enterprises, generate employment and contribute to economic growth.
He highlighted the commercial potential of Jammu and Kashmir's agricultural produce, including basmati rice, Bhaderwah rajmash, saffron, walnuts, kaladi and citrus fruits, stressing the scope for value addition, branding and access to wider markets.
The Chief Minister also identified heritage and eco-tourism, digital media, renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure and technology-enabled services as emerging areas offering opportunities for educated youth.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to youth entrepreneurship, he said efforts were being made to strengthen the start-up ecosystem, simplify official clearances and improve access to credit so that young innovators could translate their ideas into viable enterprises.
Underscoring the importance of character, integrity and social responsibility, Omar Abdullah advised graduates to remain lifelong learners, respect the dignity of labour, stay connected with their communities and give due importance to their mental and physical well-being.
He further urged them to carry Jammu and Kashmir's pluralistic cultural ethos and rich heritage wherever their professional pursuits took them, while contributing their knowledge, skills and experience towards the development of their home region.
Expressing confidence in the potential of the university's first graduating batches, the Chief Minister said they would play a meaningful role in society and contribute to shaping a progressive future for Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, Omar Abdullah, along with other dignitaries, presented medals and certificates to the graduating students. ANB
