Srinagar: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) conferred degrees upon 344 students at its 39th Convocation ceremony held for Jammu and Kashmir at the Government Dental College in Srinagar on Sunday. The event marked a significant milestone for distance education learners in the region.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that a total of 10,989 students received degrees overall from the Srinagar Regional Centre. The convocation ceremony saw the presence of Nazir Ahmad Ganie, Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), and Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner Secretary of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. While the main convocation took place in New Delhi, a regional function was organized in Srinagar to celebrate the academic achievements of the students.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, addressing the graduating students, emphasized that education should extend beyond the sole pursuit of employment, advocating for a focus on enlightenment, adaptability, and societal service. He lauded the resilience of distance learners, describing them as a “rare breed” for their ability to balance academic aspirations with personal and professional commitments.
“You studied between work shifts, submitted assignments at midnight, and fulfilled roles as parents and earners. That alone makes you extraordinary,” Prof. Ganai remarked, highlighting the dedication required for distance education. He further underscored the expanding significance of open and distance learning, characterizing IGNOU as a force behind a “democratic revolution in education.”
Prof. Ganai noted IGNOU’s extensive reach, providing educational opportunities to marginalized sections of society, including defence personnel, homemakers, working professionals, and individuals with disabilities. He stated that the university has effectively dismantled geographical and circumstantial barriers, bringing higher education within the grasp of millions.
In an era shaped by artificial intelligence, digital economies, and climate change, Prof. Ganai advised students that the knowledge acquired through their degrees is valuable but insufficient. He stressed the imperative of continuous learning, urging graduates to adopt a philosophy of “learn, unlearn, and relearn” to remain relevant in a dynamic global landscape. “The half-life of skills is shrinking due to technological advancements. Your greatest competitive advantage is not your degree, but your adaptability,” he asserted, referencing Albert Einstein’s notion that education’s purpose is to train the mind to think rather than merely memorize facts.
Challenging the conventional view of education as solely a pathway to employment, Prof. Ganai elaborated on its broader purpose. “If we reduce education to economic gain, we diminish its essence. True education cultivates wisdom, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards society,” he stated.
He also shared updates on SKUAST-Kashmir’s advancements, highlighting its emergence as a leading innovation-driven institution that has secured 117 patents in the past four years and achieved a high ranking among national agricultural universities. Prof. Ganai pointed out that each innovation represents a tangible solution to the real-world challenges faced by farmers and their communities.
The Vice Chancellor further detailed the university’s role in agricultural transformation within Jammu and Kashmir through initiatives like the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, which aims to transition farming from a subsistence model to a sustainable economic framework. He called upon the graduating students to act as responsible citizens and contribute to addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality. Referring to Kashmir’s sensitive ecosystem, he stressed the critical need for sustainable practices and heightened environmental consciousness.
“The Himalayas, lakes, and forests are not just landscapes; they are our legacy. Protecting them is not optional—it is a responsibility,” he urged. Encouraging students to play a role in building a progressive society, Prof. Ganai posited that the true measure of education lies in character, integrity, and service, adding, “The world does not need more degree holders but individuals with depth of knowledge, character, and commitment to the common good.” He expressed a vision for collective efforts to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a model region, not only economically but also in terms of education, wisdom, and humanity, in alignment with India’s national aspiration to become a developed country by 2047.
Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner Secretary of the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department, commended IGNOU’s transformative impact on democratizing education by ensuring accessibility for individuals across various age groups, professions, and geographical locations. Bhagat described the institution as having initiated a “huge educational revolution” since its establishment in 1985, enabling working professionals, retirees, homemakers, persons with disabilities, and even prison inmates to pursue education at their convenience.
The Chenab Times News Desk