Students of college toured to iust

Report on IUST subject tour of Department of Islamic Studies Date: 12th November 2024

On 12th November 2024, the Department of Islamic Studies at GDC Pampore organized an educational visit to the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) for students from the 1st and 5th semesters. The visit coincided with IUST’s 19th Foundation Day celebration, where the Chief Guest was Honorable Minister Sakina Itoo Masudi (Minister of Education, Health, and Social Welfare). Other distinguished guests included prominent ministers such as Nasir Aslam Wani Advisor to honourable CM of J&K. Upon arrival, our students, accompanied by faculty members, participated in the Foundation Day celebrations. The Vice-Chancellor of IUST welcomed the Honorable Education Minister with a presentation of a traditional Kashmiri shawl, a memento, and floral bouquets. In his inaugural address, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the university's achievements and its transformative journey over the past 19 years. He outlined IUST’s adoption of innovative technologies and educational strategies to improve both the quality of education and enrollment rates, responding to a trend of declining admissions across Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized IUST’s efforts in making the university an attractive choice for prospective students. Award Ceremony Following the inaugural session, an award ceremony was held where more than 20 awards were presented to individuals excelling in various fields, including sports, agriculture, education, internships, and entrepreneurship. Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister, addressed the gathering, applauding IUST’s efforts in becoming one of the premier learning centers in the region. He emphasized the need for skill-oriented education, advocating for vocational courses in fields like tourism, food technology, and horticulture. He also stressed the importance of promoting traditional art and craft industries as essential for job creation and economic growth. Keynote Speech by Honorable Minister Sakina Itoo The Honorable Education Minister, Sakina Itoo, expressed her appreciation for IUST’s accomplishments. She acknowledged the university's advancements in infrastructure, educational quality, and technological development, noting its significant contributions to South Kashmir. She highlighted the government’s commitment to providing free education and encouraged the promotion of Kashmiri as a mother tongue, especially in formal gatherings and special occasions. She applauded IUST’s role in nurturing a capable workforce serving in various fields and emphasized the importance of shifting focus from government jobs to private sector opportunities in areas like tourism and entrepreneurship. Vote of Thanks The event concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Honorable Education Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, and other dignitaries for their presence and contributions. Appreciation was extended to all organizers for making the event successful. Student Interaction and Department Visit After the main event, refreshments were served at 1:15 pm. Our students were then taken to the Department of Islamic Studies, where they had the opportunity to interact with postgraduate students, including some alumni of GDC Pampore. The students gathered in the lecture room for an informative session on career prospects in Islamic Studies within academia, research institutions, and international organizations. Dr. Javad Ahmad Mir delivered an introductory motivational talk, followed by a lecture by Dr. Iqbal Malik. Prof. Manzoor Ahamd also enlightened the students with words of wisdom. Prof. Afroz Bisati, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at IUST, visited the session, interacted with the students, and shared insights on the value of university exposure and the objectives of higher education. His interaction was highly enriching for the students, providing them with valuable perspectives on the academic and professional scope of their field. Library visit: Students visited central library of IUST, where chief Librarian give lecture to students, told them about literature searching online through e-source and browsing and also enlightened students with the facilities library is possesing.