Academia, industry need to join hands for nation-building: VC KU

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-02-25 23:00:34 |

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Srinagar, Feb 25: Vice Chancellor (VC) Kashmir University (KU), Prof. Nilofer Khan on Tuesday said stressed the need for a structured roadmap for Kashmir’s development with NGOs such as REACHA, industry and academia as key partners.

She said that it was the collective responsibility of academia and industry to come together and contribute to nation-building.

"As part of its CSR initiative, the University of Kashmir has been able to reach underserved areas and populations, but much more needs to be done. Through meaningful collaborations with industry and NGOs such as REACHA we can bring transformative change to the lives of people at the grassroots level," she said.

VC KU was speaking during the one day conference on ‘Kashmir CSR Dialogue -2025’ organised by the Directorate of Lifelong Learning (DLL) in partnership with REACHA.

The event was organised to reinforce the need for CSR initiatives that go beyond compliance to create lasting socio-economic impact.

The conference brought together key stakeholders to discuss the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in transforming Jammu & Kashmir and focused on employment, education, healthcare, skill development and environmental sustainability.

In his address, Dean College Development Council, KU Professor Khurshid Butt who was guest of honour on the occasion, highlighted the evolving role of corporate missions in today’s world.

“The mission statement of corporates has changed over the years, reflecting a paradigm shift from the mere maximization of profit to the creation and delivery of superior values to shareholders, owners, and the public at large. This shift underscores the growing significance of CSR in today’s business landscape,” he said.

He further emphasized the role of academia-industry collaborations in national development.

 In his special remarks Registrar KU Prof Naseer Iqbal said Universities have a pivotal role in driving societal progress through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

"We believe that meaningful collaborations between academia, industry, and NGOs can create sustainable solutions to pressing social and economic challenges. By fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and community engagement, such partnerships can bridge the gap between research and real-world impact, ensuring inclusive growth and long-term development," he said.

Earlier Director DLL KU Prof. Shazia Manzoor highlighted the aims and objectives of the one-day dialogue followed by remarks from Nikhil Pant, Chairman & CEO of REACHA.

On the occasion corporate entities such as ONGC, IIFL Foundation, Genpact, IHCL, Kesari Tours, Tata Strive, Nokia, and KPMG were recognized for their efforts.

A highlight of the program was the “Voice of the Youth” segment, where young changemakers shared first-hand stories of social impact, inspiring attendees to contribute to J&K’s progress.

The CSR Seminar, led by Mr. Nikhil Pant and Mr. Mohammad Asim Khan (Head of CSR, Cadence), provided deep insights into CSR legislation, compliance, and best practices.

The event also featured a workshop reflecting on REACHA’s decade-long development initiatives in Kashmir, capturing community feedback and shaping future interventions and a panel discussion featuring experts from education, rural tourism, environment, and healthcare.