Jammu, Dec 27:
In a hard-hitting address at the 11th Convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) today, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha declared that educational institutions must take direct responsibility for the career outcomes of their students, suggesting that even a single unemployed graduate reflects a lack of “honesty” in the teaching process.
The Lieutenant Governor, who also inaugurated a high-end AI and Deep Learning Lab, called for a radical departure from “outdated, rote learning” toward a knowledge-driven economy aimed at a “Developed India 2047.”
Addressing a hall of 821 graduates, LG Sinha outlined a five-point roadmap to modernize higher education and synchronize it with the global workforce: (1) Prioritize the use of Artificial Intelligence in teaching, learning, and university administration. (2) Transition from memorization to a flexible, lifelong learning model. (3) Forge deep ties with industrial sectors to facilitate experiential learning. (4) Encourage humanities students to focus on “human-centric” skills that machines cannot replicate. (5) Direct research toward solving local problems through cutting-edge science and social service.
The ceremony was marked by more than just words. The LG inaugurated two major facilities: A move to position SMVDU at the forefront of technological research and Expanding the university’s residential capacity to support diverse academic backgrounds.
LG Sinha further tasked the university with addressing regional challenges, specifically calling for advanced research into early-warning systems for cloudbursts and floods following recent natural calamities in the UT.
In a significant update regarding the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the LG revealed a massive push for local livelihoods. The Board has already procured products worth ₹22 crore from local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Reasi.
Upcoming Developments at Katra:
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Heli-Services: New helipads at Katra and Shiv Khori are nearly complete; services are expected to launch by Maha Shivratri.
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Cultural Hubs: Construction of a Shankaracharya Temple is underway, and an International Museum of the Goddess is planned for Katra.
Closing his address, LG Sinha urged the teaching community to analyze the rapid shifts in science and technology. He directed the university to “rebrand” and redesign Dogri and Vedic studies to make them more contemporary, ensuring traditional knowledge remains relevant in a digital world.
