JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated a series of new facilities at the University of Jammu, including a modern sports complex, shooting range, high-mast lights at the cricket stadium and the Tawi Guest House complex, developed at a cost of nearly ₹10 crore.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor said the new infrastructure would support the University’s athletes, scholars and visitors and further strengthen its role as a centre of excellence in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, stressed that the real transformation of an institution depends on the values, ideas and innovations nurtured within its campus.
Reflecting on the rapid changes brought by artificial intelligence, Sinha posed the question of what it means to be educated in the age of AI. He cautioned that increasingly powerful technologies must remain servants of humanity and stressed that decisions affecting human dignity, livelihood, health, education and freedom must remain the responsibility of accountable human beings.
“Machines can calculate, but they cannot feel. Machines can predict, but they cannot bear responsibility for decisions,” the Lieutenant Governor said, underlining the need for human accountability alongside technological advancement.
Sinha outlined five key challenges for higher education, calling for greater relevance in curricula, a shift away from rote learning, emphasis on application and reasoning, encouragement of original thinking and efforts to ensure that technology does not widen the gap between rural and urban learners.
He also said the role of teachers would evolve with technology, noting that while technology could not replace teachers, it would change their role from merely providing information to becoming mentors and guides who foster curiosity and character among students.
The Lieutenant Governor shared six guiding messages for students and teachers: embrace lifelong learning, cultivate creativity and empathy, build bridges across disciplines, contribute to national development, balance academics with sports, and remain rooted in traditions and values. He urged students to become embodiments of both “science and Sanskar”.
Encouraging young people to dream big and link their aspirations with service to society and the nation, Sinha said the generation growing up with AI as a companion would have an important role in shaping a future where technological progress remains aligned with human welfare.
“Powerful tools in honest hands can achieve great work, but in the wrong hands, the same tools can cause serious harm,” he said, stressing the importance of values, wisdom and responsibility in the use of emerging technologies.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Tejinder Singh, DIG JSK Range Shridhar Patil, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Dr Rakesh Minhas, Dean Academic Affairs Prof J.P. Singh Joorel, Dean Research Studies Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Planning and Development Prof Sangita Gupta, Registrar Dr Neeraj Sharma, heads of departments, faculty members and students attended the inaugural ceremony.
