Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Govt. of India inaugurated Boys Hostel and Artificial Intelligence Lab at NIELIT Srinagar on 1st April, 2023. The inauguration function was held at NIELIT campus Srinagar which was graced by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-Kashmir), Dr. MM Tripathi, Director General, NIELIT; Shri Abhishek Sharma, CEO, Jammu and Kashmir e-Governance Agency (JaKeGA), Government of J&K. A MOU was also signed between Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences-Kashmir and NIELIT J&K.

 A project expo was also showcased by the students and interns of NIELIT J&K.

Dr. Madan Mohan Tripathi, DG NIELIT welcomed the chief guest, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma and other dignitaries. He also highlighted that NIELIT is continuing to expand its presence in the region of J&K to provide quality skilling in Electronics and Information Technology. The Inauguration of Boys Hostel and AI lab is a step further for imparting necessary and emerging skills to the youth of J&K.

Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology while addressing the gathering appreciated the efforts done by NIELIT J K in imparting IT training with the U.T J&K. He stressed the youth to work towards making India a talent nation. He also highlighted that in next 5 years the objective is to up-skill/ re-skill 100 million people in emerging technologies. He further stressed the youth for initiating start-ups. While appreciating the initiative taken by NIELIT to setup an Artificial Intelligence lab, he highlighted that India is going to become second largest eco-system in AI technology. While applauding the projects presented by students of NIELIT, he said that it will be the endeavour of the MeitY to provide every possible help to the youth of J & K for increasing their competencies in the field of Information Technology. While highlighting the role of IT Dept., Govt of J&K, he added that maximum services have been made online in the U.T and e-Governance is being leveraged to its maximum.

Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor (SKUAST-Kashmir) while addressing the gathering, highlighted that the MOU signed between NIELIT J&K and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences-Kashmir will leverage the competences of the both of institutes for effective skilling and research. While lauding the launch of the AI Lab at NIELIT Srinagar, he highlighted that the AI technology has strong potential for revolutionizing agriculture practices. He further encouraged the students to work hard towards developing a Knowledge economy.

Shri Abhishek Sharma, CEO, Jammu and Kashmir e-Governance Agency (JaKeGA) appreciated the efforts of NIELIT J & K in generating IT skilled manpower with in the U.T of J & K. He further highlighted that IT department, Govt of J & K has taken the initiative “Digital J & K internships” for the youth of J &K. The internship program will nurture the youth to take leverage of work based learning. He further highlighted that there is long term association between NIELIT J&K and IT department which will be further enriched in future.

The function was also attended by Dr.Ayaz Hassan Moon, Former Executive Director & Scientist-G NIELIT and Dean School of Engineering and Technology, IUST and Prof T H Masoodi, Register, SKAUST-K Dr. Ayaz Hassan Moon recapitulated the impact of NIELIT J&K in capacity building of teachers in higher education and school education besides spreading digital literacy in Government offices and at grass root level. He also referred to the contribution of NIELIT in implementing important e-Governance projects including ESDM, Computer Forensics, piloting NPR in 17 states in the country for Aadhar card distribution. At the end, Sh.Shammim Khan, Director NIELIT J&K delivered the vote of thanks to the guests