Srinagar, Nov 15: CII J&K organised a pivotal roundtable focused on the skills and education ecosystem of the region. Convened by Ufair Ajaz, Convener of the CII J&K Skills Development Panel, the event featured Iqram Ali Shafiee, Vice Chairman, as a special guest.
The roundtable brought together key members, including Haya Qazi, Co-Convener, CII J&K Education Panel, Dawar Ashraf Mir, Co-Convener, CII J&K Horticulture & Food Processing Panel, Ridha Rashid, Suhail Aga, Ishfaq Bhat and Khurshid Dar, Director, CII J&K, said a press release.
Prominent guests included Shafqat Ara, Principal of KGP Gogji Bagh, and Nazrul Islam, President of the Private Schools Association.
The roundtable discussions centered around the critical theme of bridging the gap between industry and academia. Khurshid Dar emphasized the importance of CII’s role, stating, “CII is committed to enhancing the skills landscape in our region, focusing on the specific needs of our local workforce.”
Building on this, Ufair Ajaz remarked, “We are here to fill the skill gap in the valley, as there is a significant dearth. Our initiatives aim to empower the youth with the necessary skills for future opportunities.”
Iqram Ali Shafiee added, “The idea behind this roundtable is to gain insights from speakers about what is expected from CII. This will help us chart a systematic plan moving forward.”
Haya Qazi highlighted the need for synergy, stating, “Bringing industry and academia closer is vital. We must organize financial literacy workshops for students, as this is an essential skill set they currently lack.” The roundtable discussions centered around the crucial theme of bridging the gap between industry and academia. A significant decision made during the meeting was to conduct awareness workshops on financial literacy in 5 to 6 schools, aimed at addressing the lack of awareness among students. This initiative, led by the CII J&K Skills Development Panel in collaboration with the CII J&K Education Panel, is set to be replicated in various schools throughout the valley. The roundtable was deemed a fruitful gathering, marking a step forward in enhancing the educational and skills landscape of J&K.
