Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. AWANTIPORA: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), through its Centre for Career Counselling and Placements (CCCP), in collaboration with Industry Connect under the aegis of the Dean Outreach, hosted HR Conclave 2026 at its Main Campus, Awantipora. The conclave was themed “Youth, Skills and Employment: Bridging Academia and Industry for Sustainable Careers.”
The Conclave brought together leading human resource professionals, industry experts, corporate leaders, policymakers, academicians, and students on a common platform to deliberate on workforce readiness and emerging industry expectations. The conclave commenced with an inaugural session chaired by Prof. Shakil A Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST with Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, Global SVP and Chief Public Policy & Corporate Affairs Officer, InMobi, and Mr. Harish Mahadevan, Vice President-HR, OneCell AI Inc., as the guests of honour.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Romshoo, stressed the role of universities in preparing graduates for future opportunities through innovation, entrepreneurship and industry engagement. He stated, “Universities have a pivotal role in nurturing talent, promoting innovation and creating meaningful partnerships that translate education into opportunity and impact”.
Speaking on the transformative role of technology in shaping careers and economies, Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, said, “Technology is transforming the world of work, and equipping young people with the right skills is essential for inclusive and sustainable growth.” She added that platforms such as the HR Conclave play a crucial role in strengthening industry-academia collaboration and preparing students for the evolving world of work. Mr. Harish Mahadevan, shared insights into emerging workplace expectations and talent requirements in an increasingly technology-driven environment. He observed, “The workforce of tomorrow will belong to those who combine technical expertise with adaptability, creativity and a commitment to lifelong learning.”
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Shameem A. Shah, Registrar, IUST, highlighted the University's commitment to fostering employability and professional excellence among students. He remarked, “Higher education institutions must foster not only academic excellence but also the skills and competencies that enhance employability and professional growth.” Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST, emphasized the need for academic programmes to remain aligned with changing industry demands. He said, “Industry engagement helps universities remain responsive to emerging trends and ensures that students are equipped with relevant, future-ready skills.”
A major highlight of the conclave was the two parallel panel discussions on the theme “Industry Expectations and Workforce Readiness”, featuring senior representatives from leading national and regional organisations. The conclave witnessed participation from an impressive spectrum of organisations representing technology, telecommunications, healthcare, hospitality, finance, manufacturing, consulting, trade, industry bodies, deans and directors. Prominent participating organisations included InMobi Global, OneCell AI Inc., TechArc, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII J&K), Kashmir Trade Forum (KTF), Reliance Jio, Kyber Group, Arco Group, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Taj Group of Hotels, FICCI FLO, Paras Hospitals, Ujala Cygnus Hospitals, The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa Gulmarg, Ernst & Young (EY), Apexure, BQE Software Pvt. Ltd., Kyber Industries Pvt. Ltd., Maxpro Exhibitions, iQuasar Software Solutions, J&K Bank Ltd., and SJT BioTech Innovations Pvt. Ltd.
Earlier, in her welcome address Dr. Ruheela Hassan, Dean Outreach, IUST, underscored the importance of strengthening academia-industry linkages to prepare students for the evolving world of work. The inaugural session moderated by Dr. Taiba Sahaf and Dr. Hajra Manzoor from School of Business Studies concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Parvaiz A. Mir, Dean, School of Business Studies, IUST, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, participants and organisers for their contributions. He noted, “The insightful deliberations at the conclave have reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration between academia and industry in shaping successful career pathways for our youth.” The conclave was coordinated by Dr. Zahoor A Ganie, Head, CCCP, and Dr. Asif Naqashbandi, Coordinator, Industry Connect.
The panel discussions chaired by Prof. Parvaiz A Mir, and Dr. Monisa Qadiri Dean of Students brought together industry experts and university representatives to explore practical strategies for enhancing employability, aligning academic curricula with market needs, and creating stronger pathways for internships, mentorship, placements, and entrepreneurship. The event concluded with a networking session that facilitated direct interaction between industry representatives, university leadership, faculty members, and students, laying the groundwork for future collaborations in training, internships, placements, research partnerships, and industry engagement.
