Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: The ‘Srinagar Chapter’ of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) was today formally inaugurated at the University of Kashmir. The Chapter has been instituted in association with the Department of Zoology.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi presided over the inaugural function which was followed by a seminar on ‘Science & Technology for Indigenous Development in India.’
Prof Andrabi said: “It’s an honour for us that our Zoology department has been instituted with ‘Srinagar Chapter’ of a premier national science association like ISCA. I hope this Chapter makes useful contributions for overall promotion of science and technology in J&K under the auspices of ISCA.”
He said there is a need to change the way we look at science and “just knowing science is not enough to produce path-breaking research.”
“There is a huge difference in doing science and knowing science. In our part of the world, we believe more in knowing science than doing science. Once our policy makers and those who pursue scientific pursuits realize the fact that doing science is more important than just knowing it, we shall certainly produce the path-breaking research; and this change would help us in getting best human resource in colleges and universities,” he said.
ISCA’s General President Dr Ashok Kumar Saxena-while inaugurating the ‘Srinagar Chapter’ said: “It was after assessing the performance of Zoology Department over the years that we decided to institute Srinagar Chapter of ISCA with it, and we hope this Chapter will flourish in Kashmir and promote science and technology.”
In her welcome address, Head of Department of Zoology and Convener ISCA’s ‘Srinagar Chapter’, Prof Ulfat Jan explained how ISCA has been instrumental in chalking out science and technology programs, policies and plans in the country.
Senior Professor and treasurer ISCA’s ‘Srinagar Chapter’ Prof Ghulam Mustafa Shah presented vote of thanks while Prof M K Raina presented a paper on focal theme of the seminar.
Others present on the occasion included Dr Vijay Laxmi Saxena, executive member ISCA; Prof MK Jyoti Council Member ISCA and Dean Academic Affairs KU, Prof MA Wani, Deans of various faculties, Heads of departments, scholars and students.