Governor wants NITto find solutions to local problems

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 24

Governor NN Vohra today pitched for focused research by institutions like the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, so as to find solutions to local problems faced by the region.

He pointed out that serious challenges were being faced in areas of school education, power generation, potable water, agriculture, horticulture and other sectors and needed the attention of researchers.

The Governor was seconded by state Education Minister Naeem Akhter, who advocated and urged for targeted research on the problems faced by the region like earthquakes, environmental issues and floods.

Governor NN Vohra made these observations while addressing the inaugural session of the alumni meet of the NIT, Hazratbal, Srinagar, at the SKICC, where he was the chief guest. He felicitated the first batch of the institute, which had passed out in 1965. Akhter was the guest of honour on the occasion.

“This national institution was much known in the years gone by than the present time as the then local society had much expectations from it,” the Governor said in his address while dwelling into the past of the institution. Before its elevation to an NIT, it was known as the Regional Engineering College, Srinagar.

Lauding the NIT’s sustained efforts towards promoting technical education in the state, the Governor observed that despite serious difficulties faced in the past, the institution had been able to provide high-quality technical education for the promotion of science and technology in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in the country.

While urging the alumni of the NIT to contribute towards the development of their alma mater, the Governor stressed the need for focusing the research by the NIT on the local problems faced by the region and finding solutions.

In this context, the Governor pointed out the serious challenges which were being faced in the areas of school education, power generation, potable water, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and varied other fields. “It will go a long way in future development of the region. The people of this region deserve well as they have suffered a lot. Now is the turn to help them,” Governor Vohra said.

He added that Kashmiri students studying in various educational institutions and universities were as good as the students in any other part of the country. “I have found them focused,” the Governor said. He added that girls, especially from rural areas, were doing well and could perform better if lent a helping hand.

While congratulating members of the first batch which had passed out from this institution in 1965 for revisiting their alma mater and celebrating their successful careers, the Governor expressed the hope that the alumni of the NIT would contribute positively to society and the institution as well. He complimented Prof Rajat Gupta, Director, NIT, and his faculty for organising the programme.

In his addressed, Education Minister Naeem Akhter echoed the sentiments and thoughts of the Governor. He urged the management of the NIT to target their research on finding solutions to local problems faced by the region like earthquakes given the seismic activity of the area, environmental issues and the kind of floods witnessed in September 2014 and their future prevention.

“I hope that the research made in this institution is targeted so that it is related to the solutions of the problems faced by the region like earthquakes, environmental degradation and floods,” Akhter said. He urged the authorities at the NIT to adopt at least one school in the area or cluster so that the children there benefited from the academic excellence of the NIT.

The minister conceded that school education in Jammu and Kashmir had emerged more like Achilles’ heel and sought the cooperation of the NIT in addressing the problems faced by this sector. He called for the establishment of externally funded chairs in the NIT for helping it excel in the field of science and technology.

Dr MJ Zarabi, hairman, Board of Governors, NIT, Srinagar; Prof Rajat Gupta, Director, NIT; and Deepak Bhasin, co-convener, alumni meet, also addressed the gathering on the occasion. The welcome address and the vote of thanks were presented by AA Mir, convener, alumni meet, and Prof FA Mir, Registrar, NIT, Srinagar, respectively.

From REC to NIT

The National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, started functioning in 1960 when it was known as the Regional Engineering College. The first campus was located at the historical Chinar Garden of Naseem Bagh. In 1965, it was shifted to  the present campus on the banks of the Dal Lake in the Hazratbal area. The first batch passed out from the institution in 1965, which today met in Srinagar as part of the golden jubilee celebrations