Muzaffarabad: Vice-Chancellor of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) Professor Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi has emphasized the vital role of universities in advancing socioeconomic development by providing research-backed solutions to societal challenges.
He was addressing a national conference titled "Revitalizing AJK's SDG-2030 Roadmap: Pathways to Sustainable Development", organized in collaboration with the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) at the King Abdullah Campus, on Tuesday. Presiding over the inaugural ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor stressed the importance of engaging all stakeholders to develop a comprehensive approach to address socioeconomic challenges in the region. He praised Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhary Anwar-ul-Haq's initiative to revive the SDGs Support Unit and involve academia in policymaking, terming it a visionary step that would have lasting benefits. He also acknowledged the Prime Minister's keen interest in strengthening public-sector universities, expressing gratitude for the financial support extended to UAJK by the government.
Highlighting the university's academic strengths, he said that UAJK possesses state-of-the-art infrastructure, well-equipped laboratories, and a highly qualified faculty, which can be effectively utilized for sustainable development. He referred to the university's latest achievement in Times Higher Education rankings, where UAJK secured top positions in both general and subject (Engineering) rankings within AJK and national, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary TEVTA Syed Masood Bukhari explained the department's role in supporting sustainable development through technical and vocational education. He highlighted how skill-based training programs are contributing to employment generation and economic growth, ensuring that youth in AJK are equipped with market-driven expertise.
Sajid Ali Chaddar, Director HHRD, reiterated his organization's commitment to poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare initiatives in AJK. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among NGOs, academia, and the government to ensure that development initiatives are inclusive, community-driven, and aligned with the SDG framework.
Providing an overview of the conference, Syeda Asma Andrabi, Consultant for Donor Coordination at the SDGs Support Unit, Prime Minister's Secretariat, GoAJK, presented a data-driven analysis of SDGs progress in AJK. She detailed the policies adopted by the state, the current status of SDGs implementation, and the vision of the Prime Minister for sustainable development. She expressed hope that the conference would serve as a catalyst for actionable policy recommendations and would play a pivotal role in setting the strategic direction for achieving SDGs in the region.
In his welcome address, Dr. Abdul Rauf Janjua, Director ORIC and Focal Person (Academia) for SDGs, described the conference as "the first drop of rain" in AJK's journey towards sustainability. He called for collective efforts to tackle shared challenges, stressing the need for strong academia-policy linkages to translate research into practical solutions. He also shared the objectives of the conference, highlighting its role in bridging gaps between policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners.
The conference was attended by senior government officials, academia, faculty, MPhil and PhD scholars, representatives from NGOs, civil society members, and industry experts. Participants engaged in structured discussions through seventeen working groups, each dedicated to addressing a specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). These groups deliberated on key challenges and policy interventions, presenting their recommendations in the concluding session.
In the final panel session, which included senior policymakers, government representatives, NGOs, stakeholders and research scholars pledged to collaborate on the implementation of SDG-focused policies. A follow-up mechanism was announced to ensure that the recommendations put forward during the conference translate into tangible actions. The conference concluded with a commitment from academia, policymakers, and development organizations to work collectively for achieving sustainable development in AJK, with a strong emphasis on research-driven policymaking and community engagement.