Ganderbal, Nov 6: The International Affairs Division (IDA) of Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), in collaboration with Lincoln University College, Malaysia, organized an international symposium on “Perspectives of Research, Publications, and Innovations in Global Context” at the Tulmulla campus.
The event was attended by CUKashmir Vice-Chancellor Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, keynote speaker Prof. V. Venkata Ramana from the University of Hyderabad, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) of Lincoln University College Prof. Sandeep Poddar, Deans, faculty, and research scholars.
Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, Dean of International Affairs, described the symposium as a platform to reflect on the purpose and direction of research. She stressed that research should prioritize social relevance over mere publications or citations and highlighted CUKashmir’s growing global collaborations in countries such as China, Thailand, Hungary, France, Sweden, Denmark, South Korea, and Portugal.
Prof. Abid Hamid Dar, Dean of Life Sciences, discussed the “Innovation Ecosystem in Asia vis-a-vis Europe,” emphasizing India’s diverse population and geography as key drivers for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Keynote speaker Prof. V. Venkata Ramana urged universities to become “powerhouses of innovation,” emphasizing mentorship, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the nurturing of ideas from classrooms to communities.
Prof. Sandeep Poddar shared lessons from ASEAN countries, highlighting policies and collaborations that have transformed the region into an innovation hub. He cited academia-industry partnerships and examples like Biocon and Grab Holdings, emphasizing that innovation is ultimately about improving lives.
In his presidential remarks, Prof. Ravinder Nath underscored aligning technology, management, and human values for sustainable growth. He highlighted the MoU with Lincoln University Malaysia and announced a five-part international immersion policy for students, offering micro-credits through short-term global exposure programs. He also encouraged researchers to explore diverse national and international funding opportunities.
The symposium proceedings were also held at the Department of Biotechnology under Prof. Abid Hamid’s guidance. Dr. Firdous Sofal conducted the event, and a vote of thanks was proposed, with special acknowledgment to Registrar Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir for support in organizing the programme.
