Srinagar Dec 30: The Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kashmir (KU) on Tuesday celebrated its Silver Jubilee – 25 Years of Excellence with a day-long academic and alumni engagement programme themed “Engaging with Peers and Alumni” at the Science Block Auditorium, Main campus.
The event marked a significant milestone in the Department’s journey of academic growth, research excellence, and contributions to environmental science at regional, national, and international levels.
Organised as a blend of inaugural session, alumni connect, and commemorative celebrations, the Silver Jubilee event brought together faculty members, former Heads of the Department, alumni, research scholars, and students. In her presidential address, Vice Chancellor, KU Prof. Nilofer Khan, recalled that the Department of Environmental Sciences began its journey 25 years ago under the patronage of the Centre of Research for Development (CORD) and has since grown into a full-fledged and independent department.
She said that the progress made by the department over the years reflects its strong academic foundation and consistent research output.
The Vice Chancellor emphasised that research carried out at the University must be aligned with societal needs and community engagement, particularly in addressing environmental challenges within the University’s catchment areas.
She underlined the need for scientific solutions to pressing issues such as pollution of water bodies, including Dal Lake, and stressed that research in areas like climate change should contribute to policy planning.
“As a premier institution of higher learning, the University must engage the community and provide practical, science-based solutions to environmental problems,” she said.
Dean Academic Affairs KU Prof. Shariefuddin Pirzada; Dean Research, Prof. Mohammad Sultan Bhat; and Dean, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Prof. Ghulam Jeelani in their remarks emphasised the importance of sharing and pooling academic resources and research infrastructure to make research under the School more integrative.