Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on Friday said that education is a powerful weapon capable of transforming the world and asserted that semiconductor technology represents the future, playing a crucial role in shaping modern life and economies.
The Minister was addressing the National Technical Conclave on the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) at the Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu. The conclave is being organised by GCET Jammu in technical collaboration with IIT Kharagpur and in close association with the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Industries and Commerce, J&K Government.
Among those present on the occasion were MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana, Commissioner Secretary Higher Education Ram Niwas Sharma, Director School Education Jammu Naseem Javaid Choudhary, Director Technology at ISM Dr Manish Kumar Hooda, Director and Principal GCET Jammu Dr Sameeru Sharma, experts from IIT Jammu, Keynes Technologies, senior faculty members and a large number of students.
Addressing the gathering, Sakeena Itoo said that education has the power to change the course of the world and added that semiconductor technologies now surround every aspect of human life. She highlighted their importance in shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s economic growth, technological self-reliance and future-ready workforce.
The Minister emphasised that institutions of higher technical education have a pivotal role in nurturing skilled talent, promoting research and developing industry-aligned curricula to meet the evolving demands of the semiconductor ecosystem.
She called upon academia, industry and research institutions to work in close collaboration to create a strong pipeline of engineers and technologists equipped with cutting-edge skills, and stressed the need to encourage start-ups within engineering institutions to translate research into scalable solutions.
Commending GCET Jammu for hosting the conclave, the Minister said such platforms facilitate knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and exposure of students and faculty to advanced technologies and national priorities.
On the occasion, Sakeena Itoo also announced that the auditorium of GCET Jammu will be upgraded on modern lines, adding that the institute has a rich legacy in the education sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at the event, MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana said that the youth of J&K are highly talented and have proved their capabilities in every field. She urged students to actively participate in the conclave, stating that chip design and semiconductor technologies will be key drivers of future employment and innovation. She also stressed the importance of internships in emerging technologies to remain competitive in today’s job market.
Commissioner Secretary Higher Education Ram Niwas Sharma highlighted the importance of GCET Jammu and called upon students to become job creators rather than job seekers in the coming years. He also underlined the need for capacity building of faculty in line with emerging technologies.
Director, India Semiconductor Mission, Dr Manish Kumar Hooda, spoke in detail about the objectives and vision of the ISM, while Dr Sameeru Sharma, Director and Principal, GCET Jammu, in her welcome address outlined the broad contours of the national conclave.
The conclave will feature technical sessions, expert talks and interactive discussions with academicians, industry experts and policymakers, focusing on opportunities and challenges under the India Semiconductor Mission.
On the occasion, the Minister also inaugurated the PRISM portal of GCET Jammu, an integrated academic and examination management system for students and faculty.
Earlier, Sakeena Itoo also laid the foundation stone of the college canteen block, to be constructed by the R&B Department at an estimated cost of Rs 2.54 crore.
