Event at SKIMS Srinagar stresses education, technology, community service
SRINAGAR: The 39th Foundation Day of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was celebrated across the country, with the main event held at the university headquarters in New Delhi. The IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar also hosted a vibrant function at the SKIMS auditorium in Srinagar, where a large number of attendees gathered to mark the occasion.
The ceremony at SKIMS was graced by Director SKIMS, Prof. Mohd Ashraf Ganie, who attended as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Shahid Rasool, Dean of Academic Affairs at the Central University of Kashmir (CUK), and Dr. Gh. Hassan Yatoo, Head of the Department of Hospital Administration at SKIMS and Coordinator of the IGNOU Study Centre, were the Guests of Honour.
In his presidential address, Prof. Ashraf Ganie expressed his pride in hosting the Foundation Day event, acknowledging IGNOU as the world’s largest open university. He emphasized the importance of a skilled, healthy, and young population as the nation’s greatest asset, which holds the future of the country. He also highlighted that true education is built on strong moral foundations, skills, and the preservation of cultural ethics and human values, which he described as crucial for the development of any nation.
Prof. Shahid Rasool discussed the characteristics of 21st-century learners, referring to them as “digital natives.” He emphasized the shift towards blended learning and stressed that earning a degree alone is not enough. Becoming a skilled, quality learner is equally important for personal and professional growth.
Dr. Gh. Hassan Yatoo, in his address, congratulated the IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar for the successful celebration of the 39th Foundation Day and appreciated the pivotal role that IGNOU has been playing in the educational landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Kashmir Division.
Dr. A.H. Rizvi, Regional Director of IGNOU Kashmir, addressed the gathering by stressing the growing importance of technology-driven education. He urged learners to focus not only on earning degrees but also on mastering their subjects and developing practical skills. He motivated the students to thoroughly engage with the study materials provided by IGNOU to enhance their career prospects. Dr. Rizvi also underscored the significant responsibility that learners carry as the future leaders of the country and emphasized their role in serving both the community and the nation.
He expressed his gratitude to the SKIMS administration for providing the venue for the event and congratulated the event organizers for its successful execution.
The Foundation Day celebrations were also attended by fresh learners from the July 2024 admission session, officials from SKIMS, and former Regional Director, Dr. Sheikh Tanveer, as well as officials from various other educational institutions. Coordinators from GDC Ganderbal, GDC Magam, Bibi Halima, and the College of Nursing at SKIMS were present, where they welcomed the new learners and assured them of continued support at their respective learner support centres.
The event underscored the commitment of IGNOU to providing accessible and quality education to students across the region, fostering skills development, and promoting lifelong learning.