Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the 11th National Conference and Exhibition on Emerging and Innovative Trends in Engineering Technology (NCEITEET) at Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu, underscoring the need to harmonize technological advancement with cultural heritage while fostering innovation-driven growth among youth.
The two-day event is being organised by GCET Jammu in technical collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur and in association with World Consortium of Universities.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed School of Architecture (SoA) building at GCET, developed at a cost of Rs 19.71 crore, and extended his best wishes to the faculty and students. Emphasizing the significance of architecture, he urged students to adopt a forward-looking approach while staying rooted in the region’s cultural and historical identity.
“While it is important to embrace modernity, it is equally important to remember where we come from. Not every building needs to be made of glass and steel. Our structures must reflect our heritage and preserve our cultural ethos,” he said, expressing concern over the declining focus on heritage conservation in both public and private construction across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the conference theme, the Chief Minister described it as relevant and thought-provoking, particularly for its focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. He termed the deliberations as an “eye-opener,” especially in the context of tourism.
Reflecting on his experience as Tourism Minister, he noted that leveraging AI could significantly enhance visitor experience, destination management and service delivery in Jammu and Kashmir. However, he cautioned that technological integration must be balanced with employment generation.
“In a region like ours, where unemployment remains a concern, we must ensure that technology complements human effort rather than replacing it. Tourism is not just an economic driver but also a major source of livelihood across regions and sectors,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasized that while attracting tourists to Jammu and Kashmir is not difficult, ensuring repeat visits requires delivering a consistently enriching experience. He cited diverse tourism segments including pilgrimage tourism such as Mata Vaishno Devi, border tourism at places like Suchetgarh, and leisure tourism across the Valley and other regions, stressing the need to enhance infrastructure and services across all segments.
Addressing infrastructure gaps at GCET, the Chief Minister announced that funds shall be provided this year for the construction of an auditorium to provide better facilities for students and academic events.
He also responded positively to a student’s request for an incubation centre, assuring that the government would make every effort to establish such a facility within the institution and for which work to be started from this year. He underscored the importance of nurturing a startup ecosystem and enabling youth to become job creators.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released the e-proceedings of the conference, comprising 28 shortlisted research papers along with messages. He also visited various exhibition stalls showcasing innovative models and projects by students from engineering, technology and management institutions across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. Interacting with participants, he took keen interest in their ideas and even keenly observed demonstrations given by students.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo emphasized the critical role of innovation and research in shaping the future of education. “Innovation today is not a luxury but a necessity. Our institutions must evolve as centres of excellence, research and innovation,” she said.
MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana, Organizing Chairperson from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Prof. Raja Dutta, and Principal/Director GCET Sameru Sharma also addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of collaborative research, academic excellence and innovation-driven growth.
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