SKUAST-K rings in 2026 with ‘achiever of the year’ felicitations

Posted by admin_kas on 2026-01-01 22:08:31 |

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VC sets sight on top spot among SAUs

KS News Desk

Srinagar, Jan 1: On New Year’s Day, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir held a special celebratory event to mark the start of 2026 by honouring the scientists, students, and university staff whose efforts propelled the institution to its current standing as the third-best state agricultural university(SAU) in the country.

Addressing a packed audience, Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai set a high bar for the coming year. While presenting the ‘Achiever of the Year’ awards, Prof Ganai credited the university's upward growth trajectory to the relentless hard work of its staff.

"It is your dedication that has made this university the third-best in the country," Prof Ganai remarked. "The surge in externally funded projects, patents, innovations, and startups is a testimony to your labour. We are a brand university now, and every initiative we take must be for the upliftment of our stakeholders. Our vision is clear: to emerge as a global transdisciplinary university, a strategic policy thinktank, and target J&K as a model bioeconomy for the nation."

Registrar, SKUAST-K, Prof Azmat Alam Khan, provided an overview of the previous year’s milestones, highlighting how the university has become central to the sustainable agriculture and economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.

The event also saw the high-profile launch of the SKUAST-K Calendar for 2026. Describing the publication as more than just a datebook, the Vice Chancellor noted that each page was designed to depict the institution's uniqueness and growth story. "Sky is our limit," he told the gathering, "and this calendar invites everyone to be a part of our transformative journey." Alongside the calendar, the December 2025 edition of Shalimar AgriTalk was released, featuring various happenings at the university, success stories and the Vice Chancellor’s roadmap for the New Year.

In a move toward further industrial integration, the university held an e-launch for 550 MSME skill programs aimed at fostering skill development and entrepreneurship among the youth pf Jammu and Kasshmir.

The awards ceremony itself was diverse, recognizing a wide spectrum of contributions. "Achiever of the Year" certificates were handed out for innovations, academic excellence, community outreach, and Human Resource Development. Recipients included faculty and student startup founders, Research Station and KVK heads, and Principal Investigators leading major projects like HADP and JKCIP. Scientists who developed groundbreaking technologies and new crop varieties stood alongside administrative staff from various directorates, all recognized for their role in the university's ecosystem.

The proceedings were marked by a sense of community and a poignant farewell. Prof. Haroon R. Naik welcomed the faculty and officials, while Prof. Nasir Ahmad Dar conducted the day’s events. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Joint Registrar Pervaiz Ahmad Bhat. Bhat, who is set to superannuate next month, received a warm acknowledgement from his colleagues for his years of service to the university administration. Vice Chancellor Prof Ganai thanked Bhat for his dedicated service as an astute administrator and a pillar of institutional integrity, whose tireless efforts significantly strengthened the university’s governance during his long and distinguished tenure.

Director Extension, Prof Raihana Habib, Director Education Mohammad Altaf Bhat, Deans of various faculties, Comptroller SKUAST-K, Controller Examinations, and other officers of the university were also present at the occasion.