Copyright dailyexcelsior
Inaugurates 20th Foundation Day celebrations of IUST Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Nov 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed confidence that his party will win the upcoming Budgam by-election, saying the National Conference (NC) has worked hard and is counting on strong voter turnout in key areas. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the 20th Foundation Day celebrations of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Awantipora, south Kashmir, Omar said, “Who contests elections to lose? We are hoping to win the elections. We have worked hard, and the rest is in the hands of the people. If votes are cast in the right areas and in good numbers, it will be a good win.” The Budgam bypoll, scheduled for tomorrow, was necessitated after Omar vacated the constituency, choosing to retain Ganderbal following his victory from both seats in the 2024 Assembly elections. The contest is viewed as a crucial test of the Omar-led Government’s popularity after completing one year in office. Click here to watch video Earlier, addressing the university gathering, the Chief Minister praised IUST’s progress since its inception, describing it as a “benchmark” for higher education in Jammu and Kashmir. “In my first term, IUST was still struggling to take off. Today, its transformation is evident in its infrastructure, faculty, and the quality of its students,” he said. Omar also lauded the innovative projects displayed by students at the university’s Tech Expo, including robotic fruit-picking systems and automatic snow shovels designed for narrow lanes. “These projects give me confidence that our future will be brighter than our present,” he said. He further commended the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between IUST and national as well as international institutions, saying such collaborations would broaden students’ horizons. “For a university as young as this, 20 years is infancy, to have produced over 70 patents is a tribute to both its faculty and students,” he said. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening higher education, skilling, and research across Jammu and Kashmir. On the occasion, he inaugurated a Community Radio Station and the Veshav Girls Hostel, released the university’s Annual Report, and felicitated students who brought laurels to the Union Territory in national-level sports events. He also pledged government support for developing sports facilities and ensuring they remain open to local residents. “We will make sure the land is available for the sports complex, but it should not be confined only to the university,” he said. Omar further suggested affiliating colleges in south Kashmir with IUST to support its expansion. “Kashmir is no longer a place of one university. IUST has grown to the level where colleges in south Kashmir can easily be affiliated with it,” he added.
