Knowledge is freedom, education empowers: Mattoo

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 26: Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, the co-chairman J&K Government’s Knowledge Initiative, today stressed the need for long-term goal to help institutionalize a robust education system in the State that can form the backbone of the knowledge society.
He was speaking at an interactive session at the University of Kashmir’s Human Resource Development Centre.
The interactive session was organised by Human Resource Development (HRD) Centre, Kashmir University. Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Prof. Khursheed Andrabi presided over the interactive session, which was among others attended by Prof Gul wani, Director HRD, University faculty, academicians, college faculty and students.
Prof. Amitabh Mattoo spoke at length about the Knowledge Initiative which he co-chairs with Education Minister, Syed Altaf Bukhari and sought the active participation and support of the University Community.
Advisor stated that the Knowledge Initiative is a work-in-progress to help provide the State Government with a blueprint for strategic interventions in the Education Sector that can ensure the empowerment of the State’s youth in a knowledge society.
Prof. Mattoo stated that in contemporary times a knowledge society is one which is equipped to address complex challenges facing it in a diversity of areas through by using the right ideas to make the most optimal policy choices.
“Few people can forecast the jobs that will be needed for the future,but there is growing clarity on what skills may be needed to address the problems of this century. These include problem solving or critical thinking; creativity; analytical thinking; communication; collaborative skills; and ethical foundations”, he maintained.
The VC Prof. Khursheed Andrabi also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of having a knowledge initiative in the State.