Srinagar, Feb 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday urged graduates of the University of Kashmir (KU) to view education as a “powerful instrument of change” and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
Addressing the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir, the LG congratulated Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofar Khan, faculty members and students, describing the ceremony as a symbol of generational transformation and the people’s enduring faith in modern education.
Highlighting women’s achievements, LG Sinha said that out of 249 gold medals, 186 were awarded to female students, while 108 of 164 PhDs also went to women. “When given opportunity, encouragement and freedom, girls don’t just participate — they lead and set new standards of excellence,” he said.
The LG urged students to respect and carry forward Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage while remaining adaptable to rapid global change. Referring to Darwin’s principle of adaptability, he stressed the need to evolve with shifts in education, technology and society.
Emphasising the growing role of artificial intelligence, LG Sinha said technology should be used as a tool, not as a substitute for human intelligence. “AI can accelerate research, mentoring and problem-solving. Design your own degree — learning is a lifelong process,” he said.
He encouraged students to view failure as an essential part of learning, noting that setbacks often open new pathways and opportunities.
Stressing the importance of ethics and moral values, the LG called for the responsible use of AI, free from bias and guided by decisions that serve society.
LG Sinha also advocated breaking traditional academic silos, encouraging integration of disciplines such as engineering with humanities and biology with economics to develop holistic solutions to modern challenges. Curiosity, creativity and adaptability, he said, would define the leaders of the future. (KNO)
