70 colleges, 100 schools of Kashmir participating
Faiqa Masoodi
SRINAGAR, Dec 8: Institute of Technology, Zakura Campus, University of Kashmir, today kick started the 5-day long mega tech fest 2022 under the banner, “Roshnaas-widen your horizons”. Roshnaas that loosely translates to fellowship aims at bringing together various universities and colleges under one roof so as to provide them with a platform to showcase their talent and make this inaugural session of the tech fest a successful one.
In his inaugural address, Director Institute of Technology Prof.Gowhar Bashir said that the department is making every possible attempt to make this first ever tech fest a memorable one for the years to come.
“This 5-day technological festival will provide a perfect dose of entertainment along with insights and conversations from the experts. We have invited around 70 colleges and 100 schools of the valley to this fest who will be participating in more than 30 projects, workshops, seminars, art competitions and presentation” he said, adding, “ Our aim is to spread a huge canvas for our students so that they get to express themselves. Various renowned scientists, innovators, engineers, artists from all over the valley will interact with the students so that they are exposed to the world of innovation, creativity and technology”.
The event was presided over by the Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University Prof. Neelofar Khan, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology Department, J&K Dr Saurabh Bhagat, Vice Chancellor IUST Prof. Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo, Director NIT Srinagar Prof. Rakesh Sehgal and deans and faculty members from various other departments.
Vice chancellor Kashmir University, Prof. Neelofar Khan termed the event as a platform for skill demonstration. She said, “I am happy to see the vibrant crowd at this event. We will hopefully organize a grand techno fest on a massive level in summers”. She thanked all the dignitaries present at the occasion for extending their support in making this fest a successful one and also complimented the organizers.
She further said, “It is a matter of pride for us that IOT Zakura has secured three patents in the last three months and we are hopeful that the University will become a hub of innovations and startups.”
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd of students from all over the valley, Dr Saurabh Bhagat, who was guest of honour on the occasion said, “Our country’s aim of achieving a 5 trillion economy by 2025 is only possible if we embrace the culture of science and innovation. Our students need to have zeal towards developing the scientific temperament. By converting science into skill they can come up with their own startups and ventures”. He also emphasized upon the need of developing our own business unicorns in the valley.
Lauding the Director Institute of Technology, Prof. Gowhar Bashir for organizing this event, Dr Bhagat further said, “This event is a commendable one and we as a department will extend our support whole heartedly. We will disseminate various schemes to the universities for the betterment of the students and will provide all possible funding and patents to the students and researchers”.
Director NIT Srinagar, Dr. Rakesh Sehgal, special guest on the occasion, said that the event is important for exploring the aptitude and talent of the students.
Prof. Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo in his address at the occasion said the event is in itself a historic one and we should celebrate it annually all over J&K. “Universities need to join hands together to make it a norm to celebrate this fest every year. We should focus on revolutionizing the education sector and promote entrepreneurship, research and incubation in universities,” he said.
Apart from dance programmes and other fun activities that kept the audiences glued to their seats, the event also had an array of stalls exhibiting various products, innovative projects by students etc.
Displaying his proud collection of various fossils that majorly included stones, retired geo scientist Abdul Majeed butt said, “I have voluntarily taken part in this event and am providing free service to all those who are interested in knowing about fossils , their composition and time period,” he said.
Recent MBA pass outs, Areeba and Insha (name changed) had all sorts of colorful crocheted items on display. “We run an instagram page by the name Daisy Threads. This is for the first time we have come out of our virtual space and have put up a stall. We hope that this 5-day long fest fetches us more followers and boosts our business,” they said.
The tech fest which will go on till 12th December comprises a special series of events focused on art, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.
